Get a Flatter Stomach With A Tummy Tuck in Toronto
Your stomach bulges, your skin hangs down over your pants and you don't have a waist. Nothing but baggy shirts and shapeless dresses fit you. But you wouldn't want to wear anything fitted anyway because of the shape and size of your stomach.
Why you want a tummy tuck
Weight loss, pregnancy and even aging can be wonderful, but it often leaves you with a persistent loose flap of skin and stubborn fat that make your stomach stick out. A tummy tuck will get rid of that saggy skin, fat bulges and tighten up your stomach muscles for better tone and shape. Tummy tucks after pregnancy are extremely common. Evening and weekend consultation and surgery times available.
A tummy tuck will...
- Eliminate loose, saggy skin in your mid-section.
- Get rid of stubborn fat bulges.
- Repair abdominal muscle separation.
- Flatten out a pot belly.
- Firm up love handles and a muffin top.
- Reshape your belly button.
- Erase stretchmarks below your belly button.
- Give you better muscle tone and muscle definition.
- Allow you to fit into clothes better.
Improvement in quality of life, self-esteem and emotional stability
A study was conducted to measure the impact of abdominoplasty on a patient's quality of life, self-esteem and emotional stability. Significant improvements were made in day to day life and health, the latter of which mobility and independence from assistance were particularly notable. There was also an increase in satisfaction with appearance. The study found that over 84% were very satisfied with the aesthetic result and 88.9% would recommend a tummy tuck to their friends and family. This was probably why self-esteem was ranked as "very high" and emotional stability was "very well balanced".
Better results
Scar treatments
During surgery, an incision is made from hip to hip and can vary in length. You'll know where the resulting scar will be and it'll always be well hidden by your underwear or bikini bottoms, but you may still be concerned about its appearance.
We understand that you don't want an obvious scar. That's why we offer advanced tummy tuck scar healing treatments with our advanced CO2 laser. This technology reduces the appearance of scars and their irregular texture, making them lighter, thinner and barely there. Your scar treatment after tummy tuck starts just a couple of weeks after your surgery, to put you on the right path to recovery. Without treatment, it generally takes about a year for a tummy tuck scar to fade. However, with these treatments, it will fade faster.
Faster recovery with Healite yellow light therapy
Admittedly, bruising, inflammation and associated discomfort is an issue after tummy tuck surgery. After all, the procedure is a more invasive one. But we won't leave you to fend for yourself while you recover.
You'll be able to get yellow light therapy to help your bruises heal faster and keep inflammation to a minimum. The Healite technology will also help with swelling to a certain extent. That means you'll be able to see your results much sooner.
At a Glance
- Price $9500
- Recovery Go home same day
- Length Of Surgery 2 - 5 Hours
- Back To Work 2 Weeks
What are tummy tuck drains?
Drains are small tubes that are inserted into the treated area during surgery, then left there for a couple of days. Dr. Kara has found that the use of drains is beneficial because they help eliminate as many risks as possible, right after your surgery as well as later on. While some surgeons believe that drains are unnecesary, Dr. Kara is dedicated to your safety and for this reason, continues to use them to lower your risk of complications and reduce swelling. The drains are removed a couple days after your tummy tuck. The surgical techniques that Dr. Kara applies have been extensively researched, by himself and other surgeons. This ensures you receive the highest standard of patient care.
Tummy tuck surgery steps
How tummy tuck is performed
Our head plastic surgeon, Dr. Kara, performs all tummy tucks.
The procedure takes place under general anaesthesia and requires between 2-5 hours. Dr. Kara will make incisions where scars can be concealed, typically from one hipbone to the other, just above the pubic region. In the case of a full abdominoplasty, the bellybutton will also be isolated through a circular incision. The skin is lifted, abdominal muscles are tightened and sutured, and liposuction may be performed. (Some women undergoing abdominoplasty also choose to have 24 hour recovery breast augmentation performed at the same time.)
The excess skin and tissue are then removed. If a full abdominoplasty has been performed, the belly button will remain in place, and a hole in the skin flap will be formed to accommodate it. Dr. Kara will close the sutures with stitches and place two drain tubes below the main incision. These tubes will later be removed when fluid levels have evened out. Drains help to ease swelling and minimize your risk of seroma/hematoma.
Are tummy tuck scars permanent? Are tummy tuck scars worth it?
Scarring is probably the biggest concerns for patients. Your scars will be minimized in the following ways:
- Dr. Kara applies refined suturing techniques for a finer scar.
- Tension on the incisions can contribute to worse scarring. Dr. Kara reduces the tension on the incision line. You'll also be asked to limit physical activity and stay slightly bent over right after surgery for the same reason.
- You'll receive extensive care instructions on how to care for your scars.
All of these things will help you get the flatter stomach you want with barely visible scarring.
Recovery period: What is tummy tuck recovery time?
Recovery time for the tummy tuck can take up to 2-3 weeks, and Dr. Kara may prescribe medication for pain and swelling during the first few days. Gauze and compression are applied after the surgery. Patients are encouraged to begin walking around within 12-18 hours of the surgery, as this aids the recovery process. Compression garments for tummy tuck should be worn for 6 weeks following the procedure.
Tummy tuck recovery week by week
The first week after your surgery will probably be the most intense. You'll need to rest and make slow, non-jerky movements to prevent complications. Remain bent forward slightly at the waist to reduce tension on your incisions. Regular leisurely movement will help reduce the risk of clots. Make sure to take prescribed pain medication if you find the discomfort difficult to deal with.
By the second and third week, you'll notice that the swelling may have gotten worse. This is totally normal. Continue wearing your compression garment and increasing movement to help.
By 4 weeks after your tummy tuck and the end of the month, you'll see a gradual decrease in swelling. This decrease may be slow or fast, depending on how your recovery goes. Bruising will also decrease. You may start to feel a little tingly in your mid-section, which is caused by nerve regeneration. This is totally normal.
By 6 - 8 weeks, a lot of the swelling should be gone, along with bruising. You should be able to start standing up straighter as your tissues relax and your incisions strengthen. Your incisions, including the one around your belly button, should be healing into a red scar by now. Don't worry — this scar will gradually fade over time. To help with scar reduction, you'll have started your scar removal treatment regimen by this time as well.
At 8 weeks, post op pain should be minimal to non-existent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tummy tuck procedure? What is tummy tuck surgery?
A tummy tuck flattens the stomach and gives you a better wait contour by tightening loose skin and eliminating stubborn fat. It also corrects muscle separation, also known as diastasis recti. This helps you get better tone, and even possibly "ripped abs".
Abdominoplasty vs tummy tuck: what's the difference?
They both mean the same thing. Abdominoplasty is a medical term and tummy tuck is informal.
Where is a tummy tuck performed? Where to get tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is performed by board certified plastic surgeons in a surgical facility. The facility can be at a public hospital or private. If it’s private, it should be fully accredited by a governing organization.
Where are tummy tuck scars?
Tummy tuck scars are usually around the belly button and horizontally just above the pubic area, extending from hip bone to hip bone. You may also have a bit of scar tissue in the belly button. In some cases, another scar may be present vertically from the belly button straight down to the horizontal scar. We offer advanced tummy tuck scar treatment with our CO2 laser. It's much more effective than tummy tuck scar removal cream!
Which tummy tuck is right for me?
You’ll find out which tummy tuck is right for you during your consultation with Dr. Kara. Usually, if you have loose skin, excess fat and separated ab muscles above and below your belly button, a full tummy tuck is necessary.
What is a no drain tummy tuck?
Drains are tubes that are inserted into the area treated to allow for trapped fluids to run out of the body. This lowers the risk of tummy tuck seroma. However, Dr. Kara applies advanced techniques that make drains unnecessary. This is a "no drain" tummy tuck. Drainless tummy tuck complications are lower than those related to drain tummy tucks because there is a lower risk of infection.
Who is candidate for tummy tuck? Who should get tummy tuck?
Healthy adults who have loose skin, unwanted fat and/or separated ab muscles (diastasis recti) are candidates. Candidates should also be at a stable weight and have realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. A tummy tuck after pregnancy and having a baby is very common for women.
Tummy tuck after childbirth and post-pregnancy tummy tuck - When can I get a tummy tuck after kids?
We recommend you wait at least 6 months. Your body goes through a lot when you have a baby, and it takes time for it to return as close to your pre-pregnancy state as possible.
What does a tummy tuck cost in Canada? What does tummy tuck cost? (cost of tummy tuck canada)
A tummy tuck costs anywhere from $7000 to $10000 and over. Medications and, in some cases, surgical compression garments for tummy tuck, may be an additional cost however everything else should be included in this price. We also give you advanced scar treatments and yellow light therapy to minimize bruising and inflammation, which is very rare in Canada.
When is tummy tuck covered by insurance? When is tummy tuck medically necessary?
In most cases, a tummy tuck is not covered by OHIP because it is considered cosmetic surgery. However, loose skin and fat that hangs below your waist (pannus) can be deemed medically necessary to remove and that surgery is covered by OHIP. Removal of the pannus is known as panniculectomy.
Who is the best tummy tuck surgeon?
The best tummy tuck surgeon is one with whom you have good rapport and are comfortable. Trust is the most important factor in determining whether a surgeon is the best for you. Make sure they understand your goals and have the experience and training to achieve them. Experience, understanding and expertise have made Dr. Kara one of the top tummy tuck surgeons in Canada.
What is tummy tuck and liposuction?
Liposuction can be performed with a tummy tuck to get better contouring of your waist and harder to reach areas. You'll have a more appealing shape if liposuction is recommended in conjunction with your tummy tuck.
What is tummy tuck revision?
A tummy tuck revision is a tummy tuck that fixes any cosmetic issues or complications that occur with your first tummy tuck. Revision may target loose skin, muscle separation and any issues related to the belly button.
What is tummy tuck massage? Why massage after tummy tuck?
Massage can help the tissues relax and smooth out. This is recommended in some cases for tummy tuck in Ontario procedures.
When can I stop wearing the compression garment after tummy tuck surgery?
You should wear your garment day and night as advised. This is usually for a month or two after the surgery, but you'll find out the specific time frame from Dr. Kara.
How tight should the binder be after tummy tuck surgery?
Your binder should fit snugly but not be painful or make it hard for you to breathe.
What are tummy tuck dog ears?
This is when the incision line puckers the skin, and creases in the shape of “dog ears” appear typically above the incision line, along or near the end of it. Usually, dog ears gradually disappear as your tissues relax in the weeks and months after surgery.
Are tummy tuck results permanent?
Leading a healthy lifestyle will maintain your abdominoplasty Canada results, making your improvement pretty much permanent. However, keep in mind that aging, weight gain and pregnancy can all negatively impact your results. Weight gain after tummy tuck surgery will stretch out the skin and cause fat to accummulate in your mid-section as it normally would. However, this fat would be proportional.
Can get a tattoo to cover my tummy tuck scar?
This is a question we get sometimes. You can get a tattoo once your incisions have healed and the tissue is strong enough. To be on the safe side, this should be a year after surgery.
What happens if you get pregnant after tummy tuck?
The results of your tummy tuck may become undone. You're still able to get pregnant with no problem, but your skin may get stretched out again, you may develop diastasis recti and fat may accumulate.
What are the risks of tummy tuck?
- Long lasting or permanent numbness
- Prominent scarring
- Wound healing issues
- Infection
- Seroma or hematoma
- Extensive bruising
Your life after a tummy tuck: You won't believe how great you look
After you have your tummy tuck, you won't shy away from the mirror anymore. You'll have a leaner, toned stomach that will give you higher self-esteem and a more optimistic perspective. For the first time in a long time, or maybe ever, you'll want to hit the beach — in a two-piece bikini!