Reasons to Consider Abdominoplasty
A large amount of weight loss and the resulting sagging skin is only one reason to consider a tummy tuck. Other causes of excess, loose and sagging skin include:
- Aging
- Heredity
- Previous pregnancy
- Prior surgery
It is perfectly normal to want to have sagging skin or a protruding belly corrected. In addition to wanting to remove the loose skin around the midsection, patients may also want to consider a tummy tuck to:
- Correct a protruding stomach that is not consistent with the body’s proportions
- Improve tone in the abdominal and stomach muscles
- Eliminate skin problems in the skin fold under the abdomen
- Remove those areas of fat that simply won’t respond to exercise or dieting
- Correct prominent C-section scarring and stretch marks
- Repair diastasis recti
- Repair abdominal muscles that are overly stretched out
Tummy Tuck: Surgery Details
The procedure begins with general anesthesia. You will be completely asleep during the surgery.
In a traditional tummy tuck, an incision is made horizontally in the area between the public hairline and the belly button. The amount of excess skin will determine the length of the incision.
The skin will be dissected up toward the rib cage, the muscles are tightened and the belly button is repositioned while excess skin is removed.This helps to dramatically improve the appearance and strength of the abdominal area. Dr. Jugenburg may recommend having liposuction along with the tummy tuck to provide optimal results.
After the excess fat and skin are removed, the remaining skin from the upper abdomen is released and pulled down over the open area to close it. Skin is tightened, muscles are tightened as required, and the belly is flatter. Once the procedure is completed, the incision will be sutured and bandaged. You may be given an elastic bandage or compression garment to wear in order to minimize swelling to support the abdomen as it heals.
Following your surgery you will recover in one of the beautiful Fairmont Royal York Hotel rooms. You will receive a care package from us and our staff is available to you while you stay with us. Should you desire, full room service is available to you.
You will see Dr. Jugenburg’s nurses the day after your surgery and at specified intervals during the weeks following your surgery. This is done so that the doctor and his team can personally monitor your recovery process, and to ensure that you have the best results possible.
Recovery From Your Procedure
The tummy tuck surgery will leave your abdomen bruised and swollen, which will diminish over a period of one to two weeks. Because patients retain some water following the procedure, there will be some temporary weight gain. This is normal, and will dissipate quickly.
Recovery from tummy tuck surgery requires rest and taking it easy. The first two days following the surgery are usually the most uncomfortable. After the first two days you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in how you feel. Because of the innovative surgical techniques used by Dr. Jugenburg, your discomfort will be easily controlled with prescription medication only.
During your recovery you should avoid strenuous physical activity; this is especially important if your abdominal muscles have been repaired from diastasis recti. You may need to limit your physical activity from four to six weeks.
After your tummy tuck procedure, you will have a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is proportionate with your individual body type and weight. The actual results will be hidden due to swelling at first, but you will begin to see your new slimmer profile within one to two weeks after surgery. Depending on the surgery, it may take anywhere from several weeks or months to see the final results.
During recovery it is critical that you refrain from smoking. Smoking deprives your body of oxygen, which increases the risk of wound breakdown and infection following the surgery.
The goal of a tummy tuck is to provide you with a tighter, smoother and more attractive abdomen. Your love handles will be smaller, and you will look more fit, youthful and healthier.
A Panniculectomy
While the tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to create an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer, an alternative procedure is a panniculectomy. This is NOT a tummy tuck, this is an ‘amputation’ of the loose skin in patients who have lost >100lb and have medical problems due to the excessive skin. This is NOT a cosmetic procedure and the results are not pretty. This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with a tummy tuck, and is done to remove the skin hanging on the abdomen, called the “pannus” or apron. It runs from below the belly button, and is usually a result of losing significant amounts of weight – approximately 100 pounds or more. It is often done at the same time as the tummy tuck.
While the tummy tuck tightens the underlying stomach muscles, the paniculectomy only removes the excess skin and fat required for medical reasons.
After losing a significant amount of weight, the patient is left with heavy, loose folds of skin around the abdomen, which end up sagging and losing their elasticity because they have been stretched over a long period of time. This can lead to ongoing problems, including:
- Difficulty performing daily hygiene
- Yeast infections or cysts in the folds of the skin
- Lower back pain
- Inability to comfortably wear clothing
- Rashes above the pubic area along the groin and hips
Patients requiring panniculectomy have overcome obesity and have recently lost a significant amount of weight. They also may have post-pregnancy problems with excessive fat that is situated below the belly button. Depending on the amount of excess skin you have and the condition of your abdomen, Dr. Jugenburg will determine the best procedure or procedures to meet your specific needs.
Patients are considered candidates for panniculectomy if they have:
- Excessive fat that presents health problems, like skin rashes, ulcers or other skin disorders
- Weight that’s been stabilized for at least one year
- An ongoing diet and exercise plan
- An approval from OHIP is require prior to considering this surgery
Tummy Tuck FAQs
A typical consultation takes about 15-30 minutes. During this process you will have a chance to tell us about your goals, and we will examine you. Please note that some patients have predominantly internal fat which makes then poor candidates for a tummy tuck. Dr. Jugenburg may require you to lose weight before you can undergo a tummy tuck. This may make your consultation very short.
You will discuss your medications with Dr. Jugenburg during your initial consultation, and the doctor may have you stop taking certain medications prior to your surgery. Do not smoke for at least two weeks before the procedure, and at least two weeks after. Be sure to drink a lot of water in the days leading up to your surgery.
After the incision is made, excess skin and fat will be removed, and the muscles in the abdomen will be tightened. The remaining skin from the upper abdomen is released and pulled down over the open area to close it. Skin is tightened, muscles are tightened as required, and the belly is flatter. Your incision is sutured, and bandages are applied.
The traditional tummy tuck is done for patients with large amounts of excess skin and fat, along with significant weakness in the abdominal wall. A “mini” tummy tuck is for patients who only have mild to moderate stomach contour changes and have minimal excess skin and little weakness in the abdominal wall. Dr. Jugenburg will determine the best procedure for your particular situation.
There will be pain, bruising and swelling following the surgery. But because of the innovative surgical techniques employed by Dr. Jugenburg, your pain will be controlled with prescription medication. After the first two days you will notice a dramatic difference in how you feel. You will be required to refrain from strenuous activity following your surgery from four to six weeks.
You will notice a marked improvement immediately after your surgery. As the swelling subsides over the next several weeks, the results of the procedure will be in full effect. It may take as long as 3 months to see final results.
This varies from patient to patient. If you have a job that requires physical exertion, you may have to wait from 2-4 weeks to return to work after surgery. Dr. Jugenburg will discuss this with you during your consultation.
If you maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise, the results you obtain with your abdominoplasty should remain. Please remember that no cosmetic surgery procedure is a permanent solution, as your body will continue to age.
We feel that you should wait to have the tummy tuck until after you are finished having children, as this will help to both maximize and prolong the results achieved with the procedure.
Abdominoplasty is often combined with other procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and liposuction. Having these procedures at the same time as a tummy tuck helps you avoid multiple surgeries. Dr. Jugenburg will be happy to discuss these procedures during your consultation.
Because of the innovative surgical techniques used by Dr. Jugenburg, you will have less discomfort, a lower and better concealed scar and a scar that is thinner than one found in a traditional tummy tuck.
Lightexercise can begin within about 6 weeks. More strenuous exercise, including running or heavy lifting, can usually begin within 12 weeks after your surgery.
As with all cosmetic surgeries, there are some risks involved. These risks include bleeding, infection and collection of fluid under the skin, swelling and blood clots. Our operating suite is state-of-the-art, and we do everything we can to minimize the risks associated with surgery. Most importantly, Dr. Jugenburg and his team have various protocols in place to prevent complications from occurring.
Drain-Free Tummy Tuck - $6500 (mini) or $8500+ (full) (additional liposuction: $1500-2000 per additional area to be liposuctioned)
Extended / Vertical Tummy Tuck - $10500+.
