Tummy surgery takes around three to six months to heal completely. This procedure is usually painless but there are a few side effects that you can expect. Once the effect of the pain killer wears out, pain in the area may occur. This may last for about ten days. Scarring and lining in the operated part is also common. But most good cosmetic surgeons will be able to cover this. The skin may also hang in folds once the tummy tick surgery is finished. But this usually happens if the person is extremely overweight. Other than this the operation is quite safe.