8-West Cosmetic Surgery

About Tummy Tuck Surgery

For many people, genetics, weight gain and pregnancy cause the muscles and skin of the abdomen area to permanently stretch. For these people, no amount of exercise or diet will help the muscle and skin retract to a more flat and contoured appearance. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominopalsty, is a Vancouver cosmetic surgery procedure to correct the appearance of excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Watts is an expert abdominal surgeon who will choose from a variety of techniques depending on the specific characteristics of each patient. Complete Tummy Tuck surgery is ideal for people who have experienced stretching of all three layers of the abdomen. Tummy tuck surgery helps restore a flatter, more contoured abdomen by removing excess skin and fat.

The Complete Tummy Tuck Technique

The complete tummy tuck addresses three components: the skin, fat, and muscle, so it benefits most patients who want a flat stomach and skin as tight as possible. When combined with liposuction, results on the abdomen and the flanks are dramatic. There are different techniques for abdominoplasty, each of them indicated for a specific abdominal shape. Each technique is associated with its own unique set of benefits and risks. Dr. Watts will recommend the best approach for you, and carefully review the risks and benefits of each. Find Out More

• Mini Tummy Tuck
• Complete Tummy Tuck
• Extended Tummy Tuck

Visit this website’s knowledge base to find our more about important body changes over time and how cosmetic surgery can help.

Complete Tummy Tuck Incisions

The incisions used in a Complete Tummy Tuck are more extensive than a Mini Tummy Tuck and less extensive than an Extended Tummy Tuck. Dr. Watts makes an incision in the bikini line above the pubic area, which starts at the tip of the pelvis, extends down to the bikini line, and comes back up to the other pelvic bone. A second incision is made around the belly button to free the navel from surrounding tissue. After Dr. Watts removes extra skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles, the belly button is repositioned and the incisions are closed with sutures.

Benefits of Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery is a major surgical procedure with a lengthy recovery period, however the benefits often outweigh the costs. You can expect a more smooth and contoured abdominal appearance and often times a more refined waistline.

How the Procedure is Performed

Board Certified Plastic Surgery Dr. Watts makes an incision on the abdomen from hipbone to hipbone, slightly above the pubic hair. The skin is separated from the underlying tissue up to the rib cage. This skin flap is lifted, exposing the abdominal muscles below. Dr. Watts then has access to the abdominal muscles, which she secures together to create a thinner waistline. The excess skin and tissue is removed, then pulled down. The belly button is repositioned then the incisions are sutured closed.

Are You a Good Candidate

Complete Tummy Tuck is for patients who have significant excess skin and fat tissue that does not respond to diet and exercise. The best candidates for complete tummy tuck surgery are men and women who are otherwise in good health. This procedure is common for women who have had pregnancies, people who have lost significant amounts of weight, and older patients who have lost skin elasticity.

Physical Features

You may be a candidate for tummy tuck if you have any of the following features:

• Abdominal muscles that have been weakened and separated
• Excess or sagging abdominal skin
• Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen
• An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body

General Health

You may be a candidate for tummy tuck surgery if you are in general, in good health:

• You are close to your ideal body weight
• You have been at a stable weight for six months or more
• You have normal blood pressure
• You are not taking blood thinners, or your family physician can safely recommend that you stop taking them for two weeks
• You are not pregnant of breastfeeding

Recovery

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure and requires significant recovery time. Following surgery, drainage tubes are inserted to allow excess fluid to be removed. These drains can stay in for up to two weeks and required some care from home. Dr. Watts will instruct you to wear compression garment which should be work at all times for the first hour weeks following surgery except while bathing. The following information will give you a sense for what kinds of activities are safe during the recovery period.

Time Off Work

• Most people take three weeks off work

Back to Normal Activities

• You can resume light normal activities, such as light household work and taking a gentle stroll, one week after surgery
• You should avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects (more than five pounds) for four weeks after surgery
• You can resume light fitness activities, such as jogging or yoga, three to four weeks after surgery
• You can resume vigorous fitness activities, such heavy weight training or high impact cardio, four to six weeks after surgery

Bikini Ready

• All evidence of bruising and swelling should be resolved 8 weeks of surgery

Risks & Complications

All surgeries have associated risks. Dr. Watts will review the risks and benefits of the surgery in detail during your surgical consult. In general, complications of tummy tuck surgery, while not expected, include:

• General anesthesia (blood clots)
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Scarring – belly button, hip to hip (panty line)
• Asymmetry
• Pain
• Seroma – pockets of tissue fluid in the abdomen or chest wall
• Further surgery – revision of dog ears
• Delayed healing
• Abdominal numbness for 6 months

Combination Body Shaping Procedures

Vancouver tummy tuck surgery is often combined with liposuction or breast implants. This combination is particularly popular with mothers who are frustrated by the body changes that occurred as a result of pregnancy. Find out more about common combinations  of procedures for the post pregnancy mother.

Alternative Tummy Procedures

Sometimes patients are better candidates for abdominal liposuction alone. During your surgical consultation, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Watts will assess your physical features, consider your objectives, and recommend which  surgery is best for you.

What Cosmetic Abdominal Surgery is Right for You?

While the information on this site is extensive, it is not designed the replace the skill and expertise of a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Use the information to help you explore the possibilities and educate yourself about the typical recovery period of cosmetic surgery. While this site provides general information about cosmetic surgery as it related to the average person, it cannot be used as a tool for people to decide which surgery is best for them. Only a thorough consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Watts can provide the specific information required to make an informed decision about surgery. To find out which surgery is most appropriate for you, please Request a Consult.

Next Steps

Ready to Discuss Your Cosmetic Surgery Needs with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Watts? Schedule a Consult

If you are ready to book a consult, please Request a Consult. If you would like to learn more about what to expect during a surgical consult, please go here.

Not Sure You Are a Candidate? Use our Virtual Consult Form

Not everybody is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. To save time, we have launched a Virtual Consultation tool. Upload your photos, provide some information about what you would like to change, and we will provide a complementary evaluation. Find out more about the Virtual Consultation here.