Tummy Tuck Vancouver, B.C | Seattle Plastic Surgery

The abdomen is one of the most frequent problem areas for men and women. Women, especially following pregnancy, are prone to developing extra skin along the abdomen. Men tend to gain more weight in the stomach losing it or major fluctuation could contribute to loose skin along the abdomen. The recommended treatment for extra abdominal skin is an abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck. Seattle Plastic Surgery offers the best tummy tuck Vancouver residents can get.

Overview: Abdominoplasty Surgery

An abdominoplasty is a term used to describe the removal of loose and extra skin along the lower abdomen. It often also helps tighten loosened abdominal muscles—a condition known as diastasis recti. Sometimes it is combined with liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat. However, it is not a weight loss surgery and only removes small portions of fat.

The procedure involves an incision spanning hip to hip, usually just larger than a standard C–section incision. It is placed below the panty line, but this is still a consideration that patients need to make when deciding whether tummy tuck surgery is right for them. 

Causes Of Diastasis Recti & Loose Abdominal Skin

The pooch-like appearance that many tummy tuck patients present with can have several causes. Additionally, the amount of extra or loose skin can vary widely from patient to patient. Different forms of tummy tuck exist to account for this. Diastasis recti can also have a few different causes but it is more common in women and men due to the way the stomach muscles have to stretch during pregnancy.

Some of the causes of diastasis recti and/or loose abdominal skin include:

• Pregnancy; multiple pregnancies often worsen the condition
• Weight fluctuations
• Major weight loss or gain
• Age
• Genetic factors or predisposition
• Medical conditions that affect weight

Benefits

All surgical cosmetic procedures come with benefits and risks. For many patients, the benefits largely outweigh the risks. However, patients must understand both and any factors that may increase their risk during or after surgery. Since tummy tucks are performed for a variety of reasons, patients may experience different benefits. Some of the benefits a tummy tuck can provide include:

• Flat stomach
• Contoured body
• Removal of excess skin
• Removal of stubborn fat
• Diastasis recti repair
• Hernia repair 
• Reduction in urinary incontinence
• Removal of stretch marks
• Alleviation of back pain caused by extra skin or diastasis recti
• More youthful appearance
• Reduction in clothing size by multiple sizes (with a standard tummy tuck)
• Reveal true contours after major weight loss
• Hidden incision
• Combinable with other procedures
• Performed by an experienced surgeon who has performed hundreds of tummy tucks

Risks

As far as the risks, a tummy tuck is fairly safe for the ideal patient. Dr. Jonov will evaluate you to determine if it is safe for you to undergo a tummy tuck and whether it is the right surgery for you. Some of the risks associated with tummy tuck surgery include:

• Infection
• Raised or poor healing scars
• Skin necrosis
• Nerve damage
• Hematoma
• Seroma
• Prolonged side effects
• Complications due to general anesthesia
• Tissue damage
• Changes in or loss of sensation (usually temporary)
• Blood clots

Most of these risks are either standard with any surgical procedure, treatable, or avoidable. Any major complications from a tummy tuck are rare. Smoking and certain medical conditions can increase your risks during a tummy tuck in Vancouver.

Types Of Tummy Tuck In Vancouver

A tummy tuck comes in different forms and sizes. Since some patients will have more extra skin than others, the extent of a tummy tuck needs to match each patient’s needs. Below are the main types of tummy tucks and the situations they treat.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is essentially a smaller form of a standard tummy tuck. Instead of reaching hip-to-hip like a regular abdominoplasty incision, it tends to be between three and eight inches. It is similar to a C-section incision. Due to this less extensive incision, a mini tummy tuck only treats extra skin below the belly button. It also does not reposition or recreate the belly button.

This procedure is usually recommended for patients with a smaller amount of extra skin. Often, these patients appear thin for the most part with a small bulge in the lower abdomen.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is the one most commonly performed. It allows Dr. Jonov to remove extra skin from the entire lower abdomen and address diastasis recti across the entire abdomen. The incision is the standard hip-to-hip one associated with Vancouver abdominoplasty surgery.

The belly button is recreated and repositioned to match the new contours of the abdomen. If you have any amount of extra skin above the belly button, a standard tummy tuck is likely the right technique. Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction to further improve the results. It is also frequently part of a mommy makeover. Common liposuction areas include the waist, upper abdomen, and lower back.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Sometimes—especially after significant weight loss—a patient is left with many areas of extra skin. Occasionally, it can also bunch up along the hips and flanks. In these cases, Dr. Jonov can extend the incision around each hip to remove this extra skin for an improved contour. Otherwise, the surgery functions the same as a traditional tummy tuck.

An extended tummy tuck is recommended for patients who have a significant amount of extra skin along the hips and love handles. However, if the extra skin also extends onto the lower back, Dr. Jonov may recommend a lower body lift which includes a completely circumferential incision.

Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck uses a regular tummy tuck incision and then adds a vertical one that may reach up to the waist area. The length of the vertical incision will depend on the extent of extra skin. It may also include a horizontal incision along the upper abdomen, emulating the look of a fleur-de-lis. Again, this procedure is usually performed on patients who have lost hundreds of pounds or otherwise have a large amount of extra skin.

Dr. Jonov is one of the foremost specialists in the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck in the Pacific Northwest. While it does come with more extensive and visible scarring, Dr. Jonov uses various techniques including Scar Protocol to help minimize scarring.

Reverse Tummy Tuck

A reverse tummy tuck is essentially a tummy tuck but for the upper abdomen. The incision is placed underneath the breasts or chest. It is not overly common since having extra skin bunch up in the area is rare, but it can occasionally happen. It also is sometimes combined with traditional abdominoplasty surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Medical Reasons For Having A Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck can cause, be caused by, or worsen certain health problems. The abdominal muscles help with many bodily functions and so with severe diastasis recti, these can become hindered. Additionally, large amounts of extra skin can put stress on the back and body. Some of the health reasons for undergoing a tummy tuck include:

• Urinary incontinence
• Poor posture
• Back pain
• Increased risk of/development of hernias

Is Abdominoplasty Surgery Covered By MSP?

The Medical Services Plan—or MSP—does not usually cover tummy tucks unless for severe medical conditions. Even then, it can be difficult to have the surgery fully covered. Seattle Plastic Surgery does work with outside financing services such as Care Credit to help you make a tummy tuck fit your budget. Canadian residents can apply for these services.

Does A Tummy Tuck Cut Into The Muscle?

Not usually. Even though it may tighten the muscles, it does this through surgical suturing. There is not normally a reason to cut through the muscle during a tummy tuck.

Can You Fix Diastasis Recti Without Surgery?

In mild cases, it can sometimes correct itself with time or certain physical therapy/exercise. However, this is not the majority of cases. This is most common after a first pregnancy or when a child develops it for some reason. 

Why Travel To Seattle Plastic Surgery?

Traveling to Seattle for tummy tuck surgery may not seem worth it when there are surgeons in Vancouver. However, the surgeons at Seattle Plastic Surgery are some of the best in North America. They perform several tummy tucks between them every month. In addition to this, our plastic surgeons specialize in many other body contouring procedures such as liposuction and Brazilian butt lift as well as combination procedures such as tummy tuck with thigh lift.

Along with top-level expertise, Seattle Plastic Surgery caters to patients from Vancouver, BC. All appointments except for the pre-op, surgery, and first week of post-op appointments can be done virtually. Seattle Plastic Surgery has also partnered with local hotels to offer discounted rates.

The Best Vancouver Tummy Tuck At Seattle Plastic Surgery

Seattle Plastic Surgery has served and accommodated Vancouver residents since it opened over two decades ago. With a location in the center of Seattle’s medical hub, Seattle Plastic Surgery works to provide the best possible care to all patients whether it be in-person, over FaceTime, through a phone call, or via text. Seattle Plastic Surgery offers the best tummy tuck Vancouver residents can access.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-324-1120. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.

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