Tummy Tuck in Burlington, Ontario

Getting an abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, can significantly improve your appearance and boost your confidence level if you have recently lost a significant amount of weight. The procedure can help you achieve a more fit, tighter physique that can’t simply be achieved through diet and exercise. At The MedSpa at Burlington Plastic Surgery, you can choose to get a drainless tummy tuck or drainless abdominoplasty, which offers comprehensive results and shorter recovery periods.

Tummy Tuck at a Glance

Procedure Length

Approximately 2 hours

Typical Recovery

About 2 weeks for office jobs and non-strenuous activities
4 – 6 weeks to resume exercise/strenuous activities

Anesthesia

General Anesthesia

Variations

Mini, Standard, Extended, with Rectus Plication

What is an Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty, also known as the “tummy tuck,” is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and stubborn fat in order to give the stomach a flat and firm look. It also restructures the abdominal muscles and tightens the remaining skin to contour the area. This procedure can help those whose stomach has changed as a result of weight fluctuations or pregnancy. Weight gain or pregnancy stretches the skin, causing it to lose its elasticity, pull apart the muscles and loosen the abdominal wall. Diet and exercise are typically not enough to repair or treat the skin and muscles that have been stretched.

What Is a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

A drainless tummy tuck does not require a post-surgical drain to remove excess fluids from the abdominal area. Instead, our abdominoplasty uses a layered suturing technique to flatten the midsection. This technique eliminates the need for post-operative drains in most cases.


The surgery is done under general anesthesia and usually takes approximately two hours. During an abdominoplasty, we will remove excess skin and fat from your abdominal area. We will also reposition and tighten the muscles in your abdominal wall.

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How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

To perform an abdominoplasty, we will make an incision in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length of the incision will depend on how much excess skin and fat are present. The incision is generally from hip to hip. However, if there is excess skin and fat extending to the flanks, an extended abdominoplasty that also contours the flanks can be performed with longer incisions.


Once the incision has been made, unwanted skin and fat are removed. The skin is lifted and repositioned for a tighter appearance. An additional incision is made around the belly button to re-position it once the abdomen is tightened. We will also repair your abdominal muscle tissues through suturing. The layered sutures that also function to relieve tension from the incision eliminate the need for a postsurgical drain.

What Areas Can You Target With This Procedure?

If you want to significantly improve the contour and definition of your waist, flanks, and entire midsection, an abdominoplasty can be a good option for you. The procedure can target the upper and lower abdomen, as well as the flanks and hips.

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What Are the Advantages of Getting a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

Easier Recovery Period

By getting a drainless abdominoplasty, you can expect a more comfortable recovery period. There’s no need to manage post-surgical drains, which can cause pain and discomfort.

Faster Recovery Times

Because the procedure allows for greater mobility post-surgery, a drainless abdominoplasty can lead to faster recovery times. Early mobility after surgery also decreases complication rates associated with immobility. You may be able to get back to your normal day to day activities as early as two weeks after the surgery.

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What Can You Achieve After Getting the Procedure?

The benefits of cosmetic surgery are not only visible on the outside. The most noticeable change after getting surgery may be in your overall appearance, but there are also emotional benefits to consider. By undergoing this procedure, you can improve your self-confidence and feel motivated to maintain a healthy, fit appearance.

A Flatter, More Toned Abdomen

Many people have lost weight only to find themselves with loose, excess skin in the abdomen region. Do you have excess skin in the waist and hip area that resists diet and exercise? Surgery can help remove this excess skin and give you a flat, toned look to your abdomen once again. If you want to reveal a flatter appearance of your tight muscles underneath, getting a surgical procedure can help.

Repaired Abdominal Muscles

Loosened and separated abdominal muscles can be caused by age, pregnancies, and weight loss. This condition may cause strain on the midsection of your body, leading to soreness and lower back pain. After the procedure, you can achieve tightened abdominal muscles and minimize unwanted symptoms with one single operation.

Increased Self-Confidence

Getting cosmetic surgery can restore the self-confidence that you may have lost due to age, weight change, or pregnancy-related changes. The surgery can significantly enhance your shape and improve your muscle tone, leading to boosted confidence when wearing form-fitting clothes. After getting the procedure, you can express yourself without worrying about bumps or bulges showing through your fashion choices.

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Are You an Ideal Candidate for This Procedure?

Traditional diet and exercise can’t eliminate excess skin and fat after significant weight loss or pregnancy. If you’re looking for a procedure that can dramatically improve your appearance and tighten your abdominal muscles, getting an abdominoplasty may be right for you.

You Should Be in Good Health

It’s crucial to have good health before undergoing major cosmetic surgery. If you have any medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, you may not be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Smokers may also not be ideal candidates for the procedure. It’s ideal to be at peak health before getting any major surgery. If you have any underlying medical conditions, recovery might be challenging.

You Must Have Realistic Expectations

Cosmetic surgery is a great way to improve your appearance, but you need to have realistic expectations about what it can achieve. Our procedures are designed to correct specific problems or areas of the body that cause you to feel self-conscious. For example, a tummy tuck can help remove excess skin and fat from your abdominal area, but it can’t make you look like someone else.

You Can Commit to a Healthy Lifestyle

Before getting a tummy tuck, you should be at a healthy and stable weight. Furthermore, you shouldn’t plan to lose or gain any more weight after surgery, as this could affect your results. Being able to commit to a healthy lifestyle will help ensure that you have a successful surgery that offers long-term benefits.

You Are Not Planning Future Pregnancies

To be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty, you should ideally be completed childbearing with no plans for future pregnancies. Pregnancy stretches your abdominal muscles, as well as results in significant changes to the abdomen.

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Be More Confident About Your Appearance

Getting a tummy tuck can reshape your abdominal muscles and eliminate excess skin, improving the overall appearance of your waist. If you feel like your abdomen is affecting your self-esteem, the experts at The MedSpa at Burlington Plastic Surgery can help restore your confidence. With our knowledge of the most innovative surgical techniques, you can be confident about achieving natural-looking results with shorter recovery periods. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Shih!

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Jessica Shih, MD, FRCS(C)

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Shih is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, born and raised in Burlington. She completed her undergraduate degree from Cornell University before completing her medical doctorate and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at the University of Toronto. She then completed a subspecialty fellowship training at The Johns Hopkins University.

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