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Mommy Makeover: Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A mommy makeover typically includes a tummy tuck and aesthetic breast surgery in a single operation. You may find after pregnancy that your once flat stomach is now lax, despite your best efforts to exercise and watch your diet.  A tummy tuck can bring you closer to your pre-baby body. Moms who have completed their families are the best candidates for this surgery. It is important, of course, to understand that should you become pregnant again, you may lose your new contours.

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat, and tightens the muscle. You will want to consider three options: a standard or full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck and extended, or fleur-de-lis tummy tuck.

Standard Tummy Tuck removes excess skin and fat, corrects the separation of the tummy muscles and repositions the belly button. The operation usually includes liposuction. The surgeon begins with a long, low incision from hip to hip. The roll of skin and fat from the belly button to the pubic area is removed. Then the separated muscles are stitched back together from the bottom of the rib cage to the pubic bone. The umbilicus is brought out through a new opening. Liposuction is carried out as needed. This procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia, and many patients can go home the same day.  Full recovery takes about a month, although heavy exercise is discouraged for 6 to 8 weeks.

Mini Tummy Tuck is appropriate for those very few patients who are perfect from the belly button up to the rib cage, and who only need correction below the umbilicus. A shorter horizontal incision is made above the pubic area. Excess skin is excised and the muscle is tightened, but only to the belly button. The belly button remains in place.

Extended or fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck targets the full abdomen, hips and waist. This operation is appropriate for patients who have achieved massive weight loss. The standard abdominoplasty hip-to-hip incision is combined with a vertical incision up to the bottom of the breast bone. This allows removal of more skin than is possible with the standard procedure. This procedure also includes liposuction as appropriate. In patients with laxity of the lower back, the abdominoplasty may extend circumferentially around the body, in which case it becomes a so-called ‘body lift.’

The best results are achieved by working with a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in providing the options you need.  Dr. Eric Pugash is an Examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a member the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He invites you to consult with him for all your aesthetic needs.