Tummy Tuck
Imagine feeling comfortable and confident in your skin again. A tummy tuck can help make that a reality by removing excess skin and fat, tightening weakened abdominal muscles, and restoring a smoother, firmer midsection.
Imagine feeling comfortable and confident in your skin again. A tummy tuck can help make that a reality by removing excess skin and fat, tightening weakened abdominal muscles, and restoring a smoother, firmer midsection.
Pregnancy, significant weight loss, and the passage of time can all affect the abdominal area, often resulting in excess skin, weakened muscles, or a bulging lower abdomen that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses these concerns directly by removing excess skin and fat, repairing separated abdominal muscles, and improving the contour of the upper and lower abdomen. At her Toronto clinic, Dr. Jacqueline Rose Makerewich specializes in full, mini, and drainless tummy tuck techniques, helping patients regain a stronger, more confident connection with their bodies.
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that provides both aesthetic and functional benefits. It improves the structure of the abdominal region by removing stretched skin and excess fat, tightening weakened or separated abdominal muscles, and, if needed, refining the shape or position of the belly button. Dr. Rose customizes each procedure to suit your anatomy and goals, utilizing modern surgical techniques that prioritize comfort, safety, and natural-looking results.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Rose may perform one of the following tummy tuck techniques:
A full tummy tuck, also known as a complete abdominoplasty, addresses both the upper and lower abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, tightening separated abdominal muscles, and repositioning the belly button. It’s ideal for patients with widespread abdominal changes from pregnancy, significant weight loss, or prior surgeries.
A mini tummy tuck focuses only on the lower abdomen, using a smaller incision. It does not typically include belly button repositioning or muscle repair. A mini tummy tuck is best for patients with mild skin laxity or excess fat below the navel.
A drainless tummy tuck uses layered internal sutures to eliminate the need for surgical drains, allowing fluid to be absorbed naturally during recovery. This technique may reduce discomfort and simplify aftercare for select candidates.
An extended tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, flanks, and sometimes the lower back, making it ideal for patients who have significant excess skin after massive weight loss. It provides more comprehensive contouring than a standard tummy tuck and requires a longer incision and recovery period.
Planning Your Procedure: Your experience begins with a private, in-depth consultation, where Dr. Rose listens to your goals, examines your abdominal area, and determines the best tummy tuck surgery technique for you, whether it's a traditional, mini, or extended tummy tuck. This decision is based on the degree of skin laxity and muscle separation, as well as your cosmetic goals.
Surgery Day: Abdominoplasty procedures are performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The tummy tuck incision is typically placed low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area, where it can be easily concealed beneath underwear or swimwear. In most cases, the tummy tuck incision extends from hip to hip, though a mini tummy tuck may require a shorter incision. Dr. Rose will meticulously tighten muscles, remove excess skin, and if needed, use liposuction to sculpt away fatty tissue. She then closes the incision using layered sutures to promote smooth healing.
Returning Home to Recover: You’ll return home on the day of your tummy tuck surgery wearing an abdominal binder to reduce swelling and support good healing. Dr. Rose will provide thorough instructions for care, scar support, and activity modification. She will then monitor your recovery progress at post-operative visits.
Tummy tuck surgery is ideal for individuals facing persistent changes in their midsection that don’t improve with weight loss or exercise. These changes often include:
While some patients seek the procedure for aesthetic reasons, others wish to reduce discomfort, restore core strength, or complete their transformation following bariatric surgery or major weight loss.
For many patients, a tummy tuck offers a renewed sense of connection with their body. By removing excess skin and fat, tightening weakened abdominal muscles, and smoothing the lower midsection, the procedure can help restore a flatter, more stable core, thereby improving both comfort and confidence in daily life. Some patients experience relief from chronic irritation or hygiene challenges caused by loose skin, while others notice a noticeable difference in posture and core strength following muscle repair.
The physical improvements achieved with tummy tuck surgery often result in a better fit in clothing, increased ease of movement, and a sense of regaining control over the body after pregnancy, weight loss, or major life changes. While a tummy tuck doesn’t promise perfection, it can offer lasting improvements that feel both visible and deeply personal.
You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:
Dr. Rose will guide you through your options, including whether you’re better suited to a traditional tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck, or an extended abdominoplasty. Details such as the incision site, scar placement, recovery timeline, and expected outcome are all part of this conversation.
After a tummy tuck, most patients take about 2–3 weeks off work while avoiding heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks. You’ll wear an abdominal binder or compression garment to support the treatment area and reduce swelling. Your recovery timeline and aftercare guidelines will depend on the details of your procedure. Dr. Rose provides a complete recovery plan that includes:
The tummy tuck incision is placed low on the abdomen, where the scar is typically well-concealed in underwear or swimwear. With proper scar management techniques, the scar will fade over time, continuing to mature for up to a year.
After undergoing a tummy tuck, patients enjoy a flatter, firmer abdomen and stronger core. Excess skin and fat deposits are sculpted away, along with abdominal bulging from lax muscles. In addition to seeing a sculpted waistline, you may notice that your posture improves, clothes fit better, and you feel freer and more comfortable during movement.
Your results will last for many years, especially if you maintain a healthy diet, a stable body weight, and regular exercise. While weight gain or future pregnancies can alter your outcome, most patients enjoy long-term cosmetic, physical, and emotional benefits.
Dr. Rose is known for her detail-oriented, honest approach to plastic surgery, providing thoughtful care to patients navigating pregnancy, weight loss, or years of discomfort. She tailors each tummy tuck procedure to your anatomy and goals, determining which approach would benefit you the most, whether it is a mini abdominoplasty, extended tummy tuck, or a drainless technique.
As one of the few female plastic surgeons in Toronto with a focus on complex body contouring, Dr. Rose offers surgical care that respects not just your physical body, but the life it represents.
A full tummy tuck sculpts the entire abdomen, including tightening muscles and repositioning the belly button. A mini tummy tuck targets loose skin and fat in the lower abdominal area and is suited to patients with more limited concerns.
The drainless tummy tuck technique eliminates the need for drainage tubes during recovery by utilizing internal sutures to minimize fluid accumulation. Although it’s not suitable for everyone, it can reduce discomfort and simplify recovery for the right patient.
Yes. Often, patients choose to combine a tummy tuck with other procedures like breast surgery, liposuction, or a mommy makeover for more comprehensive body contouring.
A tummy tuck is not designed to be a weight loss procedure. Oftentimes, liposuction is performed during a tummy tuck to address pockets of subcutaneous fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. However, abdominoplasty does not address deeper visceral fat and is not a substitute for weight management.
While scarring is inevitable with any surgery, the tummy tuck incision is placed very low on the abdomen, near the pubic hairline, where it can be hidden beneath underwear or swimwear. Dr. Rose prioritizes thoughtful scar placement for minimal visibility.
Your age is less important in determining your candidacy for a tummy tuck than your overall health. Dr. Rose evaluates your medical history to ensure you do not have any conditions that could increase your risk of complications.
Absolutely. Tummy tucks are common among men who have lost weight or struggle with excess abdominal skin. Dr. Rose designs each procedure to enhance the patient's contours and proportions, resulting in a natural-looking outcome.
In a full tummy tuck, the belly button may be repositioned to align with the new position of the skin and underlying tissues, resulting in a balanced, natural appearance. A mini tummy tuck, on the other hand, does not typically involve repositioning the navel.
