Cosmetic And Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery – Toronto

What is Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)Toronto?

Also known as tummy tuck surgery, abdominoplasty is a general term for procedures designed to tone and reshape the abdominal wall. Whether you have lost massive weight, or are simply tired of wearing ‘mom’ jeans after pregnancy has stretched out your abdomen, abdominoplasty may be your only option. Abdominoplasty is not just about correcting excess skin. It may be combined with liposuction to remove excess fat deposits, and it may involve tightening of the fascia and muscle of the abdominal wall to create a more appealing silhouette. Some patients also undergo breast surgery with an abdominoplasty, a combination referred to as a ‘mommy makeover’.

Who is a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Best candidates for abdominoplasty have plateaued following weight-loss. Abdominoplasty results may be compromised if you later lost substantial weight (>20% body weight) or conversely gained weight (e.g. pregnancy). You need not be at an ideal weight-we have obtained beautiful results in over-weight patients. The key is that you have enough laxity in the skin and abdominal wall to justify the scar necessary from abdominoplasty. Beyond the obvious cosmetic benefits of this surgery, you may gain relief from skin chafing and rashes, and may achieve improved performance and enjoyment of athletics by relief from sloppy skin or from more effective alignment of your abdominal muscles. Many patients describe relief from back pain, and studies have demonstrated improvements in stress incontinence (peeing when you sneeze or laugh).

Abdominoplasty Toronto Consultation Essentials

You should delay your consultation until you are done having children and have reached your realistic goals from weight-loss. Do not strain to lose maximum weight in the hope that we will permanently trap you in a smaller body with a tummy tuck.

The most significant negative aspect to abdominoplasty is the scar, so you should take the time to understand how noticeable your scars will be. You should gain an understanding for what effect tummy tuck will have on your actual size- depending on where they carry excess weight, patients can be disappointed that their belt size is unchanged after tummy tuck surgery. This surgery will firm and reshape your abdomen, but we aren’t removing the organs and fat inside your abdominal cavity and so your size change is limited to the amount of outer skin/fat we can remove.

You should consider what effect a trimmer abdomen will have on your opinion of other body areas (e.g. mons, hips, thighs), and be sure to ask us about these areas at your consultation.

Alternatives to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Liposuction would be our preference for reshaping your abdomen, but it has limited application where there are loose tissues. Laser liposuction is sometimes touted as a better solution for tightening loose skin, but we are impressed by studies that show no advantage when laser is used on one side of the body, and traditional liposuction on the other.

Costs

Fees for abdominoplasty at our Toronto Cosmetic Plastic Surgery office (including facility and anesthetist) range from $5-12,000, depending on the extent of surgery that is necessary.

Preparation for Tummy Tuck Surgery Toronto

You should be healthy and at a stable weight before surgery. We provide detailed written instructions on preparation, and will review these with you well before surgery. We provide a compression garment (Velcro and fabric belt) for your use after surgery.

The Operation

Tummy Tuck Surgery 1

Caption A

In abdominoplasty, an incision is usually made across the pubic area and around the navel. Skin in the shaded area is separated from the abdominal wall.

Tummy Tuck Surgery 2

Caption B

To tighten the abdominal wall, the surgeon brings loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.

Tummy Tuck Surgery 3

Caption C

Abdominal skin is drawn downward, and the excess is removed. A small opening is made to bring the navel through.

Tummy Tuck Surgery 4

Caption D

The postoperative patient shown with resultant scars.

A feature of our technique is expertise in the use of progressive tension sutures for wound closure. Since adopting this technique over 10 years ago in our Toronto Cosmetic Surgery practice, we have eliminated our use of drains, we have avoided complications like venous thrombosis, we have achieved three-dimensional contouring of the abdominal wall and our improvement in scar location and appearance has been spectacular.

No two abdominoplasty procedures are alike, and achieving artistry in this procedure requires that we modify our plan to match your unique requirements. Some patients are offered the horse-shoe Abdominoplasty or a lower Abdominoplasty, some require additional liposuction, some need full Abdominoplasty with repositioning of the belly button, some also need tightening of the abdominal wall fascia, some need Abdominoplasty in combination with an insurance-covered panniculectomy, and some need a circumferential procedure that lifts the thigh and buttock tissues (see Body Lifts). Again, it all depends on your unique requirements.

Safety and Risks

The risks of abdominoplasty are those typical of surgery in general. Progressive tension sutures (see above) will eliminate the routine need for drains and decrease the risk of fluid collections under the skin (seroma and hematoma). They may also decrease the risk of clots forming in leg veins as mobility is easier after surgery and there is no need for a tight belt that may restrict venous flow from the legs.

Recovery process

If there is no fascial plication, the surgery is relatively painless, with tightness being the primary complaint. Most patients will return to normal work duties within two weeks.

Fascial plication can be painful, and the abdominal wall will be sensitive to sneezing, getting up from bed and other activities that strain the abdomen. Light duties will be possible by two weeks, but avoiding abdominal strain for six weeks is recommended.

Results

You will be stunned by your results even at your first post-op visit, but your final beautiful results won’t be evident until 9 months after surgery because of swelling (some fluid gets temporarily trapped in the tissues above the incision). We recommend delaying beach vacations until 6 weeks after surgery.

Bottom Line

We believe that we offer the best tummy tuck surgery results in Toronto. Come in for a consultation, and you will leave wiser, and perhaps scheduled for a beautiful transformation.



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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get multiple tummy tucks?

Some patients have massive skin excess with skin breakdown and other problems. It is often best to do two tummy tucks- the first to remove the damaged or infected tissue, and the second to fine-tune the results. Tummy tucks can also be repeated if there is a substantial weight gain/loss, as following a pregnancy.

What is the recovery time on a tummy tuck?

You can take care of yourself the day after surgery. If muscle-tightening (a.k.a. fascial plication) is performed, it will be two to three weeks before you can resume full daily activities, and 6 weeks until a return to the gym. If no muscle repair is performed, normal daily activities will be possible within a week, and back to the gym in three weeks.

How long does a Tummy Tuck last?

Provided that you don’t gain/lose substantial weight (e.g. pregnancy, greater than 20% weight fluctuation), you should not need to repeat a tummy tuck.

Can I get a tummy tuck after losing a lot of weight?

It is best to do body contour surgery like a tummy tuck when your weight has been stable for several months. Rapid weight-loss may be a sign of illness or be associated with malnutrition, and you need optimal nutrition to heal well from surgery. A tummy tuck after weight-loss does nothing to prevent you from gaining weight again, although you may put on weight in a more cosmetically-agreeable location.

Can I get a tummy tuck after giving birth?

Even if you have had several pregnancies and know your skin is not ‘bouncing back’, a tummy tuck immediately after pregnancy is not generally recommended. A six-month recovery after delivery is a safe interval to wait before undergoing tummy tuck surgery.

sahand davari
sahand davari
2024-01-15
Amazing experience. The doctor and staff were readily available at a moment's notice and always willing to answer any questions day or night. Everything went smooth from start to finish, and I would proudly recommend Dr Kreidstein to a friend.
K yaldo
K yaldo
2024-01-06
It's been 8 months since I did my gynecomastia surgery here and the results are amazing. Dr. Kreidstein treated post op scar tissue and made sure I was happy with the results, and honestly you can't even tell there has been in incision around the areola.
Christine Jehlickova
Christine Jehlickova
2024-01-05
Dr Kreidstein stepped up and helped my son. He was amazing at giving us confidence we were making the best decisions and the results have been life changing.
Anne Wright
Anne Wright
2023-11-22
I had a very positive experience with Dr Kreidstein and his staff. The results were exactly what I wanted. I am very happy with Dr Kreidstein’s work and would willingly recommend him to others.
Ashley M
Ashley M
2023-11-10
Love , love , love my results- Dr Kreidstein and his staff are terrific . His gifted hands ,eyes of an artist , skill , calm and experience is unmatched. It’s all about u from the moment u see him . He listens and ensures you get what u want . Your happiness makes him happy . I would recommend Dr Kreidstein 💯.
Jane D
Jane D
2023-11-07
Intelligent, compassionate, professional, conscientious and creative are all words I would use to describe Dr. Michael Kreidstein. This surgeon has extensive experience and it is very evident. Recently, I underwent a breast lift/reduction and abdominoplasty with fascial plication. Each team member at this clinic go above and beyond to ensure that every patient has a great experience. I was very nervous the day of my surgery but after meeting with the surgical team I felt more relaxed and knew I was in good hands. After I woke up from surgery, I had the most lovely, young RN looking after me in recovery. I could not have had a better surgical experience. I am now three weeks post op and I can honestly say that the results of my surgery have exceeded my expectations. Plastic Surgery is not just a science, it is an art too. Dr. Kreidstein has a very good sense of what is aesthetically pleasing and is able to work his magic on his canvas, the patient. The team at this clinic are committed to excellence. I would highly recommend this surgeon to anyone.
Tom Murray
Tom Murray
2023-10-24
Dr Kreidstein and his staff were polite, professional and fully attentive to my needs from Day 1. I was tentative about cosmetic surgery (and getting umbilical hernias fixed as well). This doctor's caring and thorough approach made me feel relaxed and confident that he was the best person for the job. Everything gets done in his own 'in-house' clinic, so organization, familiarity and reasonable work is all a given. I completely recommend Michael Kreidstein to anybody in need of surgery.
John Uselton
John Uselton
2023-10-04
Dr. Michael Kreidstein is a plastic surgeon extraordinaire! His expertise and meticulous approach left me in awe of the results. Such an ultimate choice for natural and stunning transformations.
Livia Mattacchione
Livia Mattacchione
2023-09-28
Dr. Kreidstein was able to allay all my concerns of the abdominoplasty procedure I needed. I had thought about it for many years, postponing it because of life and living. I felt I could live with the old scars and some discomfort that evolved over time. It was not an easy decision for me. Once meeting with Dr. Kreidstein, he asked me the questions I needed to answer not only to him but for myself. He answered all my questions, and he thoroughly discussed the procedure. I knew I was in good hands with Dr. Kreidstein and his team, and staff. I will say Thank You to all of you, though the words will never express the relief and satisfaction I feel of having followed through the with procedure. Thank You, Dr. Kreidstein, Team, Staff :)
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