Tummy Tuck

What Happens During Your Procedure

In the pre-operative area, we will mark you with a surgical pen so together we can determine exactly where you want your incision to be placed.

What Kind of Anesthesia is Used?

For your comfort and safety, tummy tuck surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. Every part of the surgical team at AJ Plastic Surgery Centre is essential to having a perfect and smooth surgery so we are focused during surgery and pays attention to every detail. We will all ensure that as you enter the operating room and are gently placed under anesthesia you will feel relaxed, calm, and excited.

During the operation, we will all be focused on keeping you warm, comfortable, and cared for. During the surgery, we are gentle and respectful and ensure a positive and calm environment around you. We will also place a numbing solution in your abdomen so you will not feel pain even though you are under anesthesia.

How Long Does the Procedure Last?

The surgery may take 4-7 hours depending on complexity and how much skin you need to be removed or if any additional procedures are done at the same time.

What Does a Tummy Tuck Do?

We will make a low curved incision that is marked together with you prior to surgery. We encourage our patients to bring underwear or a bikini bottom they like to wear so we can try to hide the incision under it. The skin and fat are then lifted off the abdominal wall up to the edges of your ribs. When we get to the belly button, we cut a small circle around our belly button (it stays in place) and lift the skin around it. This exposes loose tissue covering the abdominal muscles.

Loose, stretched-out muscles are tightened with sutures, and excess skin and fat are removed. The skin is lowered over the abdomen and the new belly button is reconstructed. We consider the belly button to be one of the most important parts of the tummy tuck and have developed a special technique that creates our “signature, natural-looking innie belly button.” At AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we take extra time to make a beautiful oval shape with a little dimple – our goal is for it to look like you never had surgery.

We also have several other technical details that we perform to create a natural-looking contoured abdomen and a thin, nearly invisible low scar. We believe it is important to create the best possible result and incision without any bunching, irregularities, or step-offs. We take extreme pride in our attention to detail with every single step of this surgery.

Tummy Tuck Results & Recovery: What to Expect

At AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we have developed a gentle tummy tuck technique that has minimal pain and a quick recovery. You will spend the first night at a plastic surgery after-care facility with nursing. They will pick you up from the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre. After surgery, your abdomen will feel tight but should not be painful. If you do have discomfort, Tylenol is usually all that’s needed. We will give you a prescription for a few pain pills to have in case you need them, but they are usually not necessary.

We encourage patients to stick to Tylenol instead of the prescription pain medication since those pills often create constipation and bloating. You will need to walk bent over for the first 1-2 weeks. There is usually some swelling of the tissues for a few weeks after surgery. You will wear an abdominal binder or compression garment to support your abdomen for 6-8 weeks after surgery. This is something we will measure and provide for you. You will have a few drains places that are removed about 1-2 weeks after surgery. Most of our patients feel almost back to normal at around 1 week after their tummy tuck surgery.

To make sure you have the best possible recovery from your tummy tuck surgery, please follow these instructions:

• You will need to spend the first night at our in-house plastic surgery aftercare center. After that, you will need a friend or a family member to help you.
• You need to wear a compression garment and the binder for six weeks after surgery.
• You will have two or three drains after your surgery and you do not want to get the drains wet. You will need to wait two days after the drains are removed to take a full shower or get your entire body wet. You will record the drains output every 12 hours.
• The first, and sometimes the second week, you will need to walk bent over. You can get a front-wheel walker from the pharmacy.
• The first night of your surgery, you will need to start walking and make sure when you’re getting in and out of bed, you’re not using your stomach muscles.
• After two weeks you can do more extensive cardio, but you’ll have to wait six weeks before you can lift heavy objects, such as purses or boxes greater than 2.5 kg.
• If you have any postoperative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach, but you can also take anti-nausea pills.
• If you feel normal, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet. If you are constipated you can take milk of magnesia or Miralax.
• At around three to four weeks after your surgery, we can begin thinking about the scar therapy treatment, to make sure you have the most invisible scar possible. Keep in mind that it takes two years for the scar to completely fade.
• After your tummy tuck surgery, you might be a little bruised or swollen, but that is normal. This will last for about two weeks after your surgery, but it does take three to four months for all the swelling to go down.
• If you develop a fever or notice dark red blood going into your drains, you can call our office and let us know what is going on.

How Long Does Tummy Tuck Recovery Last?

The speed of recovery depends on your physical condition prior to surgery; those with stronger abdominal muscles usually recover faster. Allow at least 2 weeks to recuperate before returning to work. If you are a patient from out of town, you will need to stay in town for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Wait at least 4 weeks to start any strenuous exercise and 6 weeks to do abdominal exercises. Prior to your tummy tuck, please make plans to have someone help you ambulate after surgery.

Does Tummy Tuck Leave Scars?

Scars take about 12 months to fade. You will start scar treatments around 2 weeks after surgery. We will discuss scar care in detail with you and also provide you with scar medications and products.

Tummy Tuck Surgery is one of the most life-changing surgeries that we do! Our patients feel that they can finally fit into clothes that they like without the extra hanging skin getting in the way. They feel much more confident in a bathing suit or bikini. Also, many patients are able to exercise better – in addition to cosmetic benefits, abdominoplasty strengthens the core, helps with back pain, and also helps support the pelvic floor. It gives us so much joy to hear many of our patients tell us they finally can walk and exercise without back pain, or that they are able to do certain activities that they couldn’t.