Tummy Tuck
in Toronto, ON
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.
in Toronto, ON
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.
After pregnancy or losing a lot of weight, your abdomen might not show all the effort you’ve made. Loose skin can hang or fold over the lower belly, and separated muscles can cause a round shape that exercise alone can’t fix. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) helps tighten the skin and underlying support that won’t improve on their own.
At Dr. Rose Plastic Surgery in Toronto, Dr. Jacqueline Rose Makerewich customizes each tummy tuck to fit your body and your goals. She uses a low, even incision, shapes the waist carefully, and creates a natural-looking belly button. For most patients, she offers drainless tummy tuck surgery, which can make early recovery easier.
A tummy tuck is surgery that removes stretched skin and the fat attached to it from your abdomen. If your abdominal muscles have separated, Dr. Rose can tighten the tissue over them using internal stitches.
In a full tummy tuck, Dr. Rose lifts the upper abdominal skin, repairs the deeper layer if needed, pulls the remaining skin down, and removes the extra. The belly button stays attached inside and is brought through a new opening in the repositioned skin. Liposuction can also be used to remove extra fat and shape your waist.
A tummy tuck is for body contouring, not for weight loss. It can’t remove the deeper fat around your organs and doesn’t take the place of healthy eating or regular exercise. Stretch marks will only be removed if they are on the skin that is taken away, usually below the belly button.
The abdomen can continue to bulge or hang for several reasons. The skin may have stretched beyond its ability to contract, the abdominal wall may be loose, or both concerns may be present.
Tummy tuck surgery can address:
Where your loose skin is located helps decide which surgery is best. If the skin extends into your upper abdomen, sides, or back, you may need a more extensive procedure than if it’s just below the belly button.
The changes created by a tummy tuck depend on what needs to be corrected, but benefits may include:
Some people feel more support in their abdomen after muscle repair, but the results depend on how much separation you have and your body’s shape. Dr. Rose will explain what you can expect from this part of the surgery.
“Tummy tuck” covers several operations. Depending on your needs, Toronto Tummy Tuck surgeon, Dr. Rose may perform one of the following tummy tuck techniques. She bases her recommendation on the amount and location of your loose skin, the need for muscle repair, and the shape of your torso.
A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen above and below the belly button. Also called a traditional or standard tummy tuck, it includes skin removal, belly-button repositioning, and muscle repair when needed. Liposuction can be added to narrow the waist. This is often the right approach when pregnancy or weight changes have affected the full abdomen.
A mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, is for a small amount of loose skin below the belly button. It uses a shorter incision and usually keeps the belly button in place. This option works best if you don’t need full muscle repair or changes to your upper abdomen. While a shorter scar may seem attractive, Dr. Rose will let you know if a mini tummy tuck is right for your needs.
An extended tummy tuck carries the incision beyond the hips to remove loose skin along the abdomen and flanks. It may be a better fit after significant weight loss or when laxity wraps around the waist. The scar is longer because a wider area is treated.
After major weight loss, loose skin can run both across and down your abdomen. A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck uses both horizontal and vertical incisions to treat these areas. While the vertical scar is a trade-off, this method can let Dr. Rose remove more extra tissue and improve your waist shape.
A circumferential tummy tuck extends around the waist to remove excess skin from the abdomen, flanks, and back. Also called a lower body lift, it can lift the buttocks and outer thighs. It is generally reserved for considerable laxity after weight loss and requires a longer recovery than standard abdominoplasty.
An hourglass tummy tuck refers to the unique way Dr. Rose shapes the waist during surgery. Along with removing loose skin and repairing the abdominal muscles, she may use liposuction to narrow the waist and create a smoother transition into the hips. The degree of shaping will depend on your natural frame, fat distribution, and the amount of contouring that can be performed safely.
A drainless tummy tuck uses internal sutures to secure the abdominal tissue and reduce the space where fluid can collect. For appropriate patients, this eliminates the need for external drains and makes early aftercare a little simpler. The technique may not be right for every tummy tuck, and Dr. Rose will determine whether it is suitable for your procedure.
During a full tummy tuck, the belly button remains attached internally while the surrounding skin is repositioned. Dr. Rose creates a new opening and carefully shapes it to suit the abdomen, paying attention to its size, position, and surrounding scar. A mini tummy tuck usually doesn’t require the belly button to be repositioned.
Diastasis recti occurs when the connective tissue between the two sides of the abdominal muscles stretches, allowing the muscles to move farther apart. It is especially common after pregnancy and can leave a persistent bulge through the centre of the abdomen. Exercise may strengthen the muscles, but a significant separation can remain even when you are active and at a stable weight.
During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Rose places internal sutures in the fascia over the abdominal muscles to bring this layer back toward the midline. The muscles themselves are not cut or removed. This repair creates firmer internal support and can flatten the roundness caused by the separation. Dr. Rose will examine your abdominal wall to determine whether muscle repair should be included in your procedure.
The term “C-section shelf” describes the fold or ledge that can form above a cesarean scar. Several things may contribute to it. The scar can tether the skin to the tissue beneath it, while loose skin and localized fat settle over the incision. Muscle separation may add further roundness to the lower abdomen.
Dr. Rose can often release the old scar and remove it along with the excess skin during tummy tuck surgery. She then places the new incision low on the abdomen whenever anatomy allows. A mini tummy tuck may be enough when the concern is limited to the area below the belly button. If loose skin or rectus diastasis extends higher, a full tummy tuck usually provides a more complete correction. Liposuction may be included when excess fat also contributes to the shelf.
Traditional tummy tucks often use drainage tubes to remove fluid from under the skin. In a drainless tummy tuck, internal stitches hold the tissue in place and close the space where fluid could build up. Dr. Rose is very experienced with this method. When it’s suitable, you won’t need drains or have to empty them during recovery.
This can make showering, changing clothes, and getting comfortable a bit easier. However, it doesn’t completely remove the risk of fluid buildup. A seroma can still happen, and larger surgeries may need a different approach. Dr. Rose will decide if the drainless method is right for you after checking your abdomen and health.
Good candidates have loose skin, separated muscles, or a lasting bulge and are healthy enough for elective surgery. You should also be ready for the recovery process.
Dr. Rose looks at your body mass index, medical history, weight changes, and how big the surgery will be. If you still want to lose a significant amount of weight, it’s usually better to wait until you’re closer to your goal for the best results. Smoking, vaping, and using nicotine lower blood flow and increase the risk of poor healing and skin problems. You’ll need to stop these as instructed. You can still get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but pregnancy can stretch the repaired muscles and skin again. If you plan to have another child soon, Dr. Rose may suggest waiting.
Tummy tucks and liposuction treat different issues in the same area. Liposuction removes extra fat through small cuts, but it can’t tighten loose skin or fix separated muscles. A tummy tuck addresses the skin and muscle support. Liposuction can be added if you also have extra fat around your waist.
If your skin is still firm and your muscles aren’t separated, liposuction alone may be enough. When you have both loose skin and extra fat, combining both procedures lets Dr. Rose shape your abdomen more precisely.
Concern | Tummy Tuck | Liposuction |
|---|---|---|
| Loose or hanging skin | Removes excess skin | Does not remove it |
| Separated abdominal muscles | Can repair them | Does not repair them |
| Localized fat | May address it | Removes it |
| Visceral fat | Does not remove it | Does not remove it |
| Belly button | May be repositioned | Does not change it |
Before surgery, Dr. Rose will go over your medical history, medications, supplements, any past abdominal surgeries, and weight changes. You may need some tests or medical clearance. Don’t change any prescribed medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Eat healthy, stop using nicotine as instructed, and arrange for someone to drive you home and help you during the first days of recovery. Keep daily items close by and plan ahead for children, meals, pets, and chores.
During your consultation, Dr. Rose will examine your loose skin, check for separation of the abdominal muscles, and look at how fat is distributed around your waist. She’ll also consider any previous abdominal scars and the shape you want to achieve. From there, she can recommend the appropriate tummy tuck technique and explain what the surgery will involve.
Dr. Rose performs Toronto tummy tuck surgery under general anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Once the incision is made, she lifts the upper abdominal skin to access the deeper tissue. If rectus diastasis is present, she repairs the fascia over the separated abdominal muscles with internal sutures.
The remaining skin is drawn downward, and the excess skin and attached fatty tissue are removed. Dr. Rose may also use liposuction to reduce fullness through the waist and create a smoother transition into the hips. During a full tummy tuck, the belly button stays attached to the abdominal wall and comes through a new opening after the skin has been repositioned. Dr. Rose carefully plans its size, shape, and placement.
Once the contouring is complete, Dr. Rose closes the incision in layers and uses her drainless technique when appropriate. You’ll wake up wearing an abdominal binder or compression garment and will usually return home the same day with a responsible adult.
Planning a Low Tummy Tuck Scar
Any tummy tuck that removes loose skin will leave a permanent scar. Dr. Rose plans the incision low on the abdomen near the pubic hair so it can be covered by many underwear and swimsuit styles. When possible, she places it below an existing C-section scar and removes the older scar along with the excess skin.
The length of the tummy tuck scar depends on how much skin needs to be removed and how far it extends toward the hips. A mini tummy tuck generally creates a shorter scar, while extended and circumferential procedures require longer incisions. A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck also adds a vertical scar. Dr. Rose will show you the expected placement during your consultation.
A tummy tuck is a major surgery. Risks include bleeding, infection, problems with anaesthesia, blood clots, fluid buildup, slow healing, wound separation, skin loss, numbness, pain, uneven results, visible scars, and sometimes the need for more surgery.
A seroma is a pocket of fluid beneath the skin. Internal sutures and compression reduce the space available for fluid, but a seroma can still develop after drainless or traditional tummy tuck surgery and may require treatment in the office.
Nicotine and some medical conditions can slow down healing. Going back to heavy activity too soon can also cause issues before your body is ready.
It’s important to choose a plastic surgeon certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for your safety. Dr. Rose will go over your personal risk factors and explain how you can lower your risk of complications. She’ll also tell you which symptoms mean you should call during recovery.
Most people recover from a tummy tuck in about two to six weeks. If you have a bigger surgery, muscle repair, or a physical job, recovery may take longer.
You’ll feel the most soreness and tightness in the first few days. Swelling, bruising, and feeling tired are normal. Take your pain medicine as prescribed and keep wearing your abdominal binder or compression garment as directed.
Taking short walks helps your circulation and lowers the risk of blood clots, but you’ll still need plenty of rest and help at home. Don’t lift children, bags, or pets. Dr. Rose will show you how to sleep, shower, and care for your incision.
If you have a desk job, you can usually go back to work in about two weeks. If your surgery was more extensive or your job is physical, you may need two to four weeks or lighter duties.
You can start driving again once Dr. Rose says it’s safe, you’ve stopped any medication that affects alertness, and you can move well enough to drive safely.
You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting for about six weeks. Keep wearing your compression garment for as long as Dr. Rose tells you.
You can start walking more as you recover. Low-impact exercise may be okay about six weeks after Dr. Rose clears you, but you’ll need to wait longer for abdominal workouts and heavy strength training.
A tummy tuck leaves a permanent horizontal scar low on your abdomen. Extended, fleur-de-lis, and circumferential surgeries create longer or extra scars. Dr. Rose tries to place scars where clothing can cover them whenever possible.
At first, your scar may look dark, firm, or raised. Over 12 to 18 months, it will usually soften and fade. Dr. Rose will give you scar-care tips based on how you heal.
You’ll see a change in your abdomen right away, but swelling can hide some of the results at first. Over the next few weeks, your stomach will look flatter and your waist will take shape. The tissues keep settling for a few months, and your scar will change for a year or more.
Tummy tuck results can last for many years. However, your body will keep aging, and big changes in weight or pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again. Keeping your weight steady with healthy habits will help your results last longer.
Dr. Jacqueline Rose Makerewich is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Her training includes a surgical residency at Western University, fellowship training at the University of Toronto, and further education with plastic surgery leaders in the United States and Europe.
She has extensive experience with drainless tummy tuck surgery and advanced body contouring after significant weight loss. Because she performs mini, full, extended, fleur-de-lis, and circumferential abdominoplasty, she can choose an approach based on what your abdomen actually needs.
Dr. Rose pays close attention to details that make tummy tuck results look natural, like placing scars low, shaping the waist, and creating a natural-looking belly button. As a mother of three, she understands the changes women notice after pregnancy. She offers honest advice and supports you through recovery with regular check-ins and scar care.
Your consultation is your opportunity to show Dr. Rose what bothers you and learn what surgery can realistically improve. She’ll explain the tummy tuck procedure that fits your body, including scar placement, muscle repair, liposuction, whether you qualify for a drainless approach, recovery, safety, results, and your personalized cost.
The cost depends on the type of tummy tuck, how much skin needs to be removed, whether muscle repair or liposuction is included, and the anaesthesia and facility fees. If you combine procedures, the total will change. You’ll get a personalized quote after Dr. Rose creates your surgical plan. Financing is available for those who qualify.
A tummy tuck can remove stretch marks that are on the skin being taken away, usually below the belly button. Stretch marks on the skin that stays will still be there, but their position may change when the skin is pulled down.
Often, yes. If your C-section scar is low enough, it may be removed along with the extra skin during surgery. Dr. Rose will check its position and plan your incision to get the best result.
Yes, you can get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but pregnancy can stretch the repaired muscles and skin again. If you plan to have another child soon, waiting is usually better to protect your results.
Yes, a tummy tuck can be combined with breast surgery or liposuction, often as part of a mommy makeover. Whether you can combine procedures depends on your health, how long the surgery will take, and your recovery needs.
Yes. Men may choose a tummy tuck after losing a lot of weight or if they have loose abdominal skin that doesn’t go away. Dr. Rose tailors the skin removal, muscle repair, and liposuction to match your preferred body shape.
Most people feel sore and notice a tight, pulling feeling, especially if muscle repair is done. Discomfort is usually worst in the first few days and then gets better. Medication, advice on positioning, and regular follow-up help make recovery easier.
