A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, helps people achieve a flat and toned abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening weak abdominal muscles. The procedure also restores muscles that have been weakened or separated. This creates a firmer abdominal profile. While an abdominoplasty is not a form of weight loss surgery, it can help you lose a few pounds and remove stubborn fat.
Immediately after the procedure: Most patients stay the night at SpaMedica following a tummy tuck. Patients are sent home with a compression garment that must be worn 22 hours a day. Depending on the type of tummy tuck, the patient might also go home with drainage tubes. If so, Dr. Bell will provide instructions regarding the tubes. The tubes must be properly cleaned to prevent infection and promote healing.
3 days post-procedure: Most patients will need some assistance and are encouraged to walk as much as possible. Walking promotes healing and reduces the risk of blood clots. While walking, patients should be mindful of their incisions and take it slow so they don’t hurt themselves or cause increased pain.
10 days post-procedure: Patients can resume light activity, although they may still experience discomfort.
2 weeks post-procedure: It is normal to experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort after a tummy tuck. However, patients begin to feel much better at the 2 week mark and will begin to notice results after 2-4 weeks.
3-6 weeks post-procedure: After 3 weeks, patients can reduce the time they wear the compression garment to 12 hours a day and continue this for another 3 weeks.
6 weeks post-procedure: Most patients can resume normal activities after 6 weeks. Dr. Bell offers complimentary scar reduction procedures for tummy tuck patients if there is any visible scarring. He will go over this with patients during the consultation.
While most patients can resume normal activities after six weeks, no one should engage in strenuous activities before being cleared by their doctor. The surgeon must ensure the patient has healed properly.
After six weeks, most patients are free of pain and notice their new slimmer profiles. The swelling should be gone at this point as well, and patients can begin to enjoy their results.
The cost of a tummy tuck in Toronto starts at $12,999. Prices may vary depending on the type of abdominoplasty the patient requires and the actual BMI of the patient. If you are seeking out a male tummy tuck, the price begins at $13,999. Note that costs are typically lower for a mini tummy tuck, starting at $10,999.
There are also combination options like a mommy makeover that involve a tummy tuck and other procedures which you can discuss with Dr. Bell.
SpaMedica is the ultimate choice for a abdominoplasty procedure in Toronto due to our level of expertise and experience with abdominoplasty procedures. Our clinic immediately puts patients at ease with its relaxed atmosphere and accommodating staff.
Dr. Thomas Bell is a board certified plastic surgeon who has been in practice for over two decades and personally performs or oversees all of the abdominoplasty procedures performed at SpaMedica. His decades of experience and expert precision with tummy tuck treatments in all forms makes him the go-to tummy tuck surgeon for Toronto residents. To book a consultation and learn more about tummy tuck financing and your treatment plan today, contact the SpaMedica team.
A tummy tuck procedure takes 2-6 hours. Those who undergo a mini tummy tuck can expect to spend 2 hours in surgery, while those who undergo modified, standard, or extended tummy tucks, with or without lipo and breast surgery, will be in surgery longer.
After a tummy tuck, most patients can typically resume most activities within 3 weeks. However, it often takes 6 weeks to fully recover and return to the gym, sit-ups and heavy exertion. The length of recovery depends on the type of abdominoplasty that was performed, with increased recovery if the tummy muscle needs repair.
Yes, combining liposuction of the hips, flanks and/or thighs with a tummy tuck is common. It is also common to add breast augmentation, and the complete combination package of tuck, augment and lipo is called a mommy makeover.
You might need an abdominoplasty if you have loose or hanging skin over your abdominal region that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise. This is also a good procedure if you have tummy muscle separation or weakness or want to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks and feel more confident. Schedule a consultation for a tummy tuck with Dr. Bell to assess your specific needs.
Have you tried many methods to tone abdominal muscles and lose excess tummy fat without success? Are you done having children? Are you close to your ideal weight and in good overall shape? If so, you may be ready for a abdominoplasty procedure.
Men and women with excess fat and skin on the abdominal area are often good candidates for abdominoplasty.
Ideal tummy tuck candidates are:
If you are not a good candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure, review SpaMedica’s non-surgical procedures. SpaMedica offers various options for people in Toronto and across Canada who want slim, contoured bodies.
General benefits of a tummy tuck procedure include:
Many people are hesitant to wear certain clothing or swimwear due to excess fat and sagging skin in the tummy region. A tummy tuck can give you much tighter skin, a flatter contour, improved muscle tone, boosted skin elasticity, a more attractive belly button, and the self-confidence you need to enjoy life again.
Stretch marks occur during pregnancy or after experiencing significant weight fluctuations. When the skin is tightened, stretch marks become less visible. After conducting an assessment, Dr. Bell will explain what you can expect regarding your stretch marks.
Many women have a hard time regaining a flat stomach after pregnancy. The loose, hanging skin can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. A tummy tuck procedure reverses the pregnancy belly by eliminating excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles.
If you are intending to get pregnant again after your abdominoplasty, our blog on its effects can be found here.
Achieve a flat and toned stomach with a tummy tuck procedure that removes abdominal fat and tightens skin, and brings the tummy muscles back together again.
All surgical procedures carry some risks. However, you are in the right hands with our resident board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Bell, who will go over the risks in detail during your consultation at our Toronto clinic.
Pain, swelling, and bruising are common side effects after a tummy tuck procedure, especially around the belly button. Patients will receive medication to reduce discomfort while recovering. The pain should improve within a few days of the procedure, although it might take 1-2 weeks to completely subside. To learn more about how to reduce swelling after your abdominoplasty, check out our blog here.
While uncommon, patients can experience bleeding, infection, and fever after undergoing a tummy tuck. Those who have these complications can contact SpaMedica immediately for treatment.
Patients normally receive general anesthesia when getting a tummy tuck at SpaMedica. Anesthesia complications, such as nausea and dizziness, can occur. Some patients experience more serious complications. The anesthesiologist assesses the health of the patient beforehand to determine the degree of risk.
While rare, unfavourable scarring is a possibility when undergoing a tummy tuck. Dr. Bell will assess your skin tone to see how likely you are to have unfavourable scarring. He and the team at SpaMedica will also make strategic incisions during your surgery to reduce the appearance of scarring. Scars can also be treated with various laser treatments offered by SpaMedica.
SpaMedica offers mini, modified, standard, and extended tummy tucks in Toronto. The option selected depends on your specific needs and the desired outcome.
A mini tummy tuck addresses loose skin, stretch marks and excess fat below the belly button. This surgery only requires a small incision, so it has the shortest scar. This scar typically is not visible and can be performed under local anesthesia and simple oral sedation.
Patients with mild to moderate loose skin or muscle weakness benefit from a modified abdominoplasty. This procedure is similar to a mini-tummy tuck, and scarring is minimal.
A standard abdominoplasty is also known as a full tummy tuck. This procedure removes excess skin and fat below and above the belly button and tightens the lax abdominal muscles. This procedure leaves a standard scar that can be hidden with undergarments.
Patients with excess fat and skin on the abdomen, flanks, or sides can benefit from an extended abdominoplasty. The scar runs from the flanks to the lower back. Patients who undergo this procedure can expect a slimmer profile from all angles.
Some innovative, non-surgical alternatives to a tummy tuck procedure that still reduce stubborn pockets of fat and tone the abdominal area include EMSculpt, CoolSculpting, and Evolve – all offered by SpaMedica.
The tummy tuck process begins by administering anesthesia, ensuring you feel no pain. Then, your surgeon will make a horizontal incision, usually right above the bikini line. However, the incision’s location and size depend on the amount of excess fat and skin and the type of tummy tuck the patient is undergoing.
During your tummy tuck, our surgeon will lift the abdominal skin and repair the weakened abdominal muscles. The surgeon then trims the excess skin, stitches it together, and makes a new opening for the belly button. This must be done since the skin is tightened. Without the new opening, the belly button won’t be in a natural position.
The incisions are closed with sutures, and the patient is then sent to recovery. You may have bandages applied and compression garments given to you – it all depends on your individual treatment. Dr. Bell is a master at hiding surgical scars in discreet areas that heal quickly, so there is no need to worry about any noticeably unsightly marks after your recovery. Patients will stay overnight for monitoring and can usually go home the following day.
Patients must prepare before undergoing one of the best tummy tucks in Canada. Dr. Bell will discuss specific preparations with patients. General preparations include:
Preparations are slightly different for each patient. Dr. Bell and the team at SpaMedica will provide patients with specific instructions.
If muscle repair is included in your tummy tuck, then patients can expect to experience moderate pain following a tummy tuck. The procedure requires significant downtime, and people need help with daily chores following the procedure. The discomfort should begin to subside within a few days.
The results of a tummy tuck can be permanent as long as patients follow a diet and exercise routine. People must eat a healthy diet and maintain their weight to prevent loose skin or excess fat from reappearing. Also, patients should continue to build muscles in their abdominal areas to maintain the results.
Patients who are considering getting pregnant should wait before undergoing a tummy tuck. Pregnancy can cause loose skin and fat to reappear.
A tummy tuck will only remove those stretch marks that are contained within the zone of skin excision. However, for those stretch marks located above or outside the zone of excision, the tummy tuck procedure will not reduce the appearance of those stretch marks. After assessing your photographs, Dr. Bell can provide an expected outcome regarding your stretch marks.
Yes, it is possible to get a tummy tuck after a c-section, and it is perfectly safe if you wait the appropriate amount of time. If you are considering getting this procedure after a cesarean section, the best course of action is to speak with the certified plastic surgeons at SpaMedica.
The best time to get a tummy tuck is during the fall or wintertime, as it means you can wear loose-fitting clothing and cover your scars while staying inside from the cold weather. Try to schedule your surgery for a time when you can take a few weeks off of work and avoid strenuous activity.
While an abdominoplasty repairs separated abdominal muscles and reduces excess skin, skin folds, and fat pockets in the area, liposuction only eliminates excess fat cells. Liposuction can also be performed on other areas of the body outside of the abdomen. Learn more about the similarities and differences between the two procedures here.
While both Panniculectomy and tummy tuck procedures are body contour treatments that focus on the midsection, a Panniculectomy is concerned with only reducing the appearance of excess skin after weight loss or other causes of bodily changes. A tummy tuck both reduces the appearance of excess skin and eliminates excess pockets of fat, while repairing weakened or seperated muscles in the abdomen. Learn more about the difference here.
