Tummy Tuck Vancouver, BC

Tummy Tuck Vancouver, BC | The Gallery Of Cosmetic Surgery

The stomach is a frequent problem area for both men and women. Especially as people grow older, stubborn fat and extra skin begin to appear on the abdomen. For women, pregnancy can worsen or accelerate this natural process. As both a popular and surgically technical procedure, finding the right tummy tuck surgeon is vital for achieving the results you want. Dr. Craig Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offers the best tummy tuck Vancouver provides.

Understanding Abdominoplasty Surgery

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery that removes extra skin and tissue from the abdomen. It may also correct diastasis recti which is where the abdominal muscles separate from one another. This can contribute to a pooch-like appearance. Diastasis commonly occurs during and after pregnancy, but does have other causes.

While the procedure is popular around the world, there are many considerations potential patients need to make. A standard tummy tuck involves a hip-to-hip incision. The scar can usually be covered with undergarments and bathing suits, but many are hesitant to have such a large scar on their body. This is completely understandable and something to consider before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. 

However, many patients find the scar is well worth it based on the results. Not only do patients often go down multiple clothing sizes, but they also tend to feel more confident and find physical, emotional, and mental benefits of abdominoplasty surgery. Dr. Jonov can discuss the pros of a tummy tuck as well as the cons during a consultation.

Benefits

In the right patient, a tummy tuck can have many advantages and benefits. Some of the benefits of tummy tuck surgery may include:

• Flatter abdomen
• Slimmer body contours
• Correction of diastasis recti
• Removal of excess skin and fat
• Addresses stubborn fat
• Go down multiple clothing sizes
• May remove C-section scar
• Can improve back pain, incontinence, and hernias
• Easier to exercise
• Increased self-confidence
• Help strengthen core muscles
• Can improve posture
• Combines well with other procedures; frequently included in a mommy makeover

The exact benefits you experience will depend on your individual procedure. For example, some factors that contribute to the benefits you experience include the type of tummy tuck you have, medical history, your starting anatomy, and how your recovery goes.

Types Of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Vancouver abdominoplasty surgery comes in many different forms. Since the amount of extra skin and the patient’s general anatomy will differ from person to person, there are several types of tummy tuck surgery to help address the needs of all patients looking to get a flat tummy.

Mini

A mini tummy tuck is the least invasive and smallest abdominoplasty available. The incision is generally only a few inches just below the panty line in the center of the stomach. This technique is performed when a person only has a small amount of extra skin to remove. Often, these patients are fairly slender and only have some extra skin along the lower abdomen. 

The mini tummy tuck technique can address diastasis recti of the lower abdominal muscles, but the best candidates for this technique will not need diastasis recti repair. This procedure is fairly non-invasive and the preferred method when it is possible. It also does not reposition the belly button like all other versions of an abdominoplasty.

Standard/Traditional

The standard tummy tuck uses the aforementioned hip-to-hip incision. This is the most commonly performed technique because it provides good results for many people and is the most reliable for the average patient. A standard tummy tuck can correct up to the waist and is often combined with liposuction to achieve the ideal body contours.

While it addresses the entire frontal part of the body, it will not remove extra skin on the flanks or lower back. If this is needed, either liposuction, a lower body lift, or an extended tummy tuck will likely be recommended.

Extended

An extended tummy tuck takes the hip-to-hip incision and extends it around the flanks. Unlike a body lift incision, it does not wrap around the entire body. This incision allows Dr. Jonov to remove extra skin along the hips, love handles, and parts of the lower back. Other than a slightly longer incision, the recovery and basic procedure remain nearly the same.

An extended tummy tuck is great for weight loss patients who do not need a full body lift. It removes the extra skin and sculpts the body from both the back and front. This can help create a dramatic effect, especially in patients who have lost a large amount of weight.

Fleur-de-lis

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck corrects the entire abdomen. While a traditional tummy tuck does provide some correction to the upper abdomen, it does not remove skin above a certain point. Therefore, in patients who have extensive extra skin, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck can remove the skin on two planes. 

The one downside to a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is that it uses a vertical incision that connects to the horizontal one that follows a standard or extended tummy tuck incision path. This does make it difficult to hide the incision with certain clothing. It will not be completely hidden with undergarments. However, for many patients with a large amount of extra skin, it is completely worth it to see the final results of their hard work.

Reverse

A reverse tummy tuck is not commonly performed, but it can be life changing for the right patient. Occasionally, extra skin will bunch up in the upper abdomen while the lower abdomen remains unaffected. In this case, a reverse tummy tuck with an incision just under the breasts or chests can remove and tighten this extra skin and the muscles if necessary.

Recovering After A Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a major surgery that does require a recovery period. Most people take at least two to three weeks off work and have to limit their physical activity for six to eight weeks. Dr. Jonov will likely want you to stay in the area for a week to ensure you are healing well. Other instructions will depend on your specific procedure and history. Some frequently provided tummy tuck post-operative directions include:

• Remain hunched at a 90-degree angle until the incision adequately heals
• Elevate the head of the bed or sleep in a reclining position
• Wear compression garments if instructed
• Avoid getting the incision area wet or unnecessarily touching the area
• Take antibiotics and other prescribed medications
• Attend all post-operative appointments
• Walk a little each day
• Place a pillow over your stomach whenever you cough or take deep breaths
• Monitor for signs of infection
• Contact Dr. Jonov if you have any questions or concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need To Lose Weight After A Tummy Tuck?

Potentially, though this will largely depend on several other factors. During a consultation, Dr. Jonov will evaluate if losing weight before your tummy tuck is necessary or not. If you plan to lose a significant amount of weight beforehand, you may consider prolonging your abdominoplasty until you are within ten pounds or so of your goal weight.

A tummy tuck’s main goal is to remove the extra skin. While some fat will inevitably come off, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery. Many people lose less than ten pounds during a tummy tuck surgery.

What Happens If I Get Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck?

Dr. Jonov will recommend that you do not seek a tummy tuck until you no longer plan to have any more children. This is because a tummy tuck will stretch out the skin and may also undo muscle repair performed during a tummy tuck. A patient who gets pregnant after a tummy tuck may completely reverse their results. While there are cases where this does not happen, this is rare.

Some patients may be okay with this. For example, if they have a tummy tuck earlier in life and then a decade later have children. If this is the case, Dr. Jonov and the patient may mutually agree this is okay.

Why Travel To The Gallery Of Cosmetic Surgery?

When choosing your plastic surgeon, why travel from Vancouver, BC to The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery? The answer is because Dr. Jonov is one of the top surgeons within a few hours of Vancouver. He also is an expert body contouring surgeon who has performed cosmetic body enhancement surgery for decades.

Not to mention, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is within driving distance of Vancouver, BC, and offers concierge services to help streamline your stay. For more information about hotel discounts, visit our out-of-town visitors page.

When Will I See My Final Results?

Like most plastic surgeries, tummy tuck results are not considered final until about nine months to one year after surgery. However, many patients like their results between months three and six. Your plastic surgeon will generally not consider results final until the time period noted above.

How Much Is A Tummy Tuck In Vancouver?

A tummy tuck in Vancouver averages at $8,500. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, a standard tummy tuck starts at $7,485. This leaves room for travel expenses and allows you to get the best tummy tuck Vancouver offers by traveling a few hours south.

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery does work with outside financing companies like Care Credit to help finance your tummy tuck surgery. You can find more financing information and links to apply on our financing page.

The Best Vancouver Tummy Tuck At The Gallery Of Cosmetic Surgery

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is a premier plastic practice and medical spa in Lynnwood, WA. Serving patients from all over the world, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery can help accommodate and coordinate your short trip south for tummy tuck surgery. Many patients find it worth it to travel for Dr. Jonov’s expertise and surgical skill. The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery provides the best tummy tuck Vancouver offers.

Dr. Craig Jonov is a plastic surgeon with decades of experience in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancements. He is one of the top cosmetic injectors on the West Coast and consistently is called upon to share his expertise.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-775-3561. You can also reach out online using chat, contact form, and Price Simulator.

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