Tummy Tuck

Our patients have been able to see some of the following examples of the benefits that a Tummy Tuck in Ottawa can provide:

• Better overall flexibility
• Gives your body a better appearance and can increase self-confidence
• Have significant skin laxity
• Increases your tolerance for more intense exercises once that removed excess skin is gone
• Motivates to lose excess weight and achieve better health
• May prevent painful hernias
• Repairs issues such as diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal wall) which may result from normal abdominal stretching during pregnancy, or from congenital factors
• Stronger and improved core

At Ottawa Plastic Surgery, we believe you could be a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Ottawa, Canada if you have some of the following characteristics:

• Bothered by the aesthetic of your abdomen
• Committed to maintaining results through a healthy diet and routine exercise
• Has no abdominal wall laxity (delete)
• In good overall physical health
• Keeps realistic expectations for their tummy tuck results
• Maintained a stable, healthy weight
• Non-smoker and can commit to staying so
• Undesirable abdominal aesthetics that are resistant to correction with diet and exercise

When you come in for your Tummy Tuck, your procedure will typically be performed under general anesthesia, depending on what is discussed during your consultation.

Liposuction will then be performed as required, encompassing any areas of excess fat over the abdomen, hips and flanks and pubic area that require reduction.

A full tummy tuck utilizes a horizontally oriented incision placed between the pubic hairline and the belly button. The shape and length of the incisions are determined by the amount of excess skin. After your abdominal skin is lifted, the weakened and separated underlying abdominal muscles are repaired. If necessary, your surgeon will make a second incision around your naval (navel) to remove the excess skin in your upper abdomen.

The upper abdominal skin is pulled down and any excess skin is trimmed. The remaining skin is sutured together and a new opening for the belly button is created. Your surgeon will transfer the belly button up through the surface and suture it into position. Finally, the incision is closed with sutures, skin adhesives, and/or skin tape. Staples or clips are not typically used, and drains are also only used in unusual circumstances.

This procedure will take approximately two to three hours.

After your surgery, you will be able to return home to recover in peace, however, you should have a friend or family member available to give you a ride home. You will have dressings or bandages applied to your incisions and you may also be wrapped in an abdominal binder (elastic bandage or compression garment) to minimize swelling and give underlying muscles in your abdomen additional support. We at OPS have developed our technique to be able to avoid drain placement during the surgery (drainless abdominoplasty) though on infrequent occasions drains may be required, to help drain any blood or fluid that collects after surgery.

You will likely be sore during the first week or so and should plan on resting and taking some downtime the first few days post-surgery, this is to reduce scarring and avoid any excess bruising or swelling. You may be able to return to work after the first week but only if you have light work. there should be absolutely no heavy lifting or vigorous exercise until your surgeon clears you to do so. Most patients require at least two to three weeks before they can do even gentle tasks, but may resume full activities by about six weeks.