If you have excess fat or skin around the belly area that just won't go away with exercise and diet, then our Toronto tummy tuck may be for you. Tummy tuck is designed to trim, tone and sculpt your belly for a more attractive torso and improve your body image.
Tummy tuck at a glance
Summary: Tummy Tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure which removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, tightens the abdominal musculature and re-positions your belly button to create a tighter, flatter abdominal region.
Length of surgery: 3-4 hours
Alternative names: Abdominoplasty
Anesthesia: General
Recovery period: 2 weeks off from work and 6 weeks before resuming physical activity
What is a tummy tuck?
A Tummy Tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is one of the most commonly performed types of cosmetic surgery worldwide. An abdominoplasty helps to restore, reshape and tighten the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, repairing weakened abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) and tightening the skin in the area.
It is important to learn that different types of abdominoplasty can be utilized according to your needs and goals. Mini abdominoplasty, standard abdominoplasty, extended abdominoplasty, and Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty are all different types of abdominoplasty that is offered at the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre to help you achieve the look and feel you desire.
What does my tummy tuck entail?
Tummy tuck surgery is a valuable option for individuals with a wide range of body sizes. Anyone with a significant weight loss, whether through exercise and diet or through bariatric weight loss procedures, such as gastric bypass surgery, and/or is post-pregnancy can benefit from an abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty creates a flatter abdomen, strengthens abdominal muscles and eliminates stubborn fat.
Patients who elect to have an abdominoplasty is put to sleep under general anesthesia and the surgical area and the resulting scar is dependent on the type of abdominoplasty performed.
Types of Abdominoplasty
Mini Abdominoplasty
Mini abdominoplasty is an option for patient's with excess skin and fat located directly below the belly button and pubic area, and does not have a bulging of the abdomen from muscle weakening (rectus diastasis). This surgery removes a small amount of skin and fat without moving the belly button. You will be left with a small abdominal scar, typically hidden at the bikini line.
Standard Abdominoplasty
Standard abdominoplasty is an option for patients with loose skin, excess fat and abdominal budging due to weakening and separation of abdominal musculature. This surgery involves a long incision at or beneath the bikini line, stretching from hip to hip and dissection of the abdomen along the subcutaneous plane from the pubis to the sternum. Skin is pulled downwards to tighten the whole area and excess skin is excised on the lower edge. Additionally, the rectus muscles are tightened to decrease the abdominal bulge and the belly button is repositioned. Liposuction may also be used to smooth the contours of the flanks and abdomen for a better aesthetic outcome.
Extended Abdominoplasty
Extended abdominoplasty is an option for patients similar to those who need a standard abdominoplasty but have additional skin and fat on the sides and flanks of the abdomen that requires removal. The incision is longer than that of a standard abdominoplasty to include the flanks past the hip area.
Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty
Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty is option for patients similar to those who need a standard abdominoplasty but have additional skin and fat in the upper abdomen area below the rib cage. Patient's who have this surgery will have an inverted T scar that runs down the midline torso and across the hips. This procedure allows for a maximal removal of excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen and reduction of the waist circumference.
What are the benefits of an abdominoplasty in Toronto?
- Flatter and tonned belly
- Tightened ab musculature
- No more belly bulge
- Improved posture
- Improved confidence
- A better fit in various clothing and swimwear
Am I a suitable candidate for tummy tuck?
If you have an abundance of loose or excess skin in your abdomen or have an excess amount of external fat (fat that you can grab or pinch with your hands), then you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck surgery.
Good candidates are:
- In good general health
- At a stable weight and does not intend to lose additioanl weight
- Have excess skin or external fat in the abdominal region or flanks
- Stretch marks in the lower abdomen
- Weakened abdominal musculature
- Non-smoker
- Have a realistic expectation
Can a tummy tuck help me lose weight?
One common misconception is that a tummy tuck is a weight loss procedure. Tummy tucks are not performed for the purpose of weight loss. While some excess external fat (subcutaneous fat) is removed during the procedure, the amount of weight loss from the procedure is not significant.
The main purpose of a tummy tuck is to sculpt and tighten the abdominal area while maintaining the patient's current weight. If you are looking to lose weight for health reasons, then a viable option is to undergo a bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery or gastric sleeves, or through natural diet and exercise. It is only through these methods that a significant fat within the abdominal compartment (visceral fat) can be reduced, contributing to overall weight loss.
What will my tummy tuck recovery be like?
Full recovery from an abdominoplasty typically requires 6 weeks. However depending on the extent and type of the procedure performed, a patient may recover faster from surgeries that are less extensive.
