Tummy Tuck Vancouver, B.C. | Northwest Face & Body

The abdomen is an area of the body that changes throughout our lives. It stretches to carry children, carries some extra fat with age, medical conditions may affect it, and even changes after a big meal. These changes can cause the abdominal skin, muscles, and tissues to sag and loosen. Even weight loss and an active lifestyle may not restore the abdomen to a flat contour. Plastic surgeons often recommend a tummy tuck to remove extra skin, tighten the muscles, and restore a flat stomach. Dr. Ludwig Allegra at Northwest Face & Body provides the best tummy tuck Vancouver, B.C. offers.

Overview: Abdominoplasty Surgery

A tummy tuck—known as an abdominoplasty—is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin from the lower abdomen and may also repair separated abdominal muscles. This separation is known as diastasis recti and is a common reason patients undergo a tummy tuck.

The procedure is one of the more extensive ones, involving a hip-to-hip incision. This incision is generally made below the panty line and is covered by most swimsuits and undergarments. However, it is important to understand that the scar is usually more extensive when compared to other plastic surgery procedures.

Benefits

Abdominoplasty is among one of the most beneficial plastic surgeries for people who are good candidates. This is because it can address several cosmetic and medical problems at once. Some of the benefits of a tummy tuck surgery include:

• Extra and loose skin removal
• Correction of diastasis recti
• Excess fat removal
• Restoration of a flat stomach
• Reduction in clothing size (often by several sizes)
• Helps strengthen your core
• Hernia repair
• Improvement in posture
• Makes it easier to exercise
• May reduce back pain
• Can help with some urinary issues
• May reduce or alter the shape of the belly button (if desired)
• Easy to combine with other procedures such as a thigh lift
• Customizable
• Performed by expert plastic surgeons

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck does come with some risks. Generally, these risks are fairly minimal, especially in patients selected as good candidates. Dr. Allegra and the team at Northwest Face & Body also follow various procedures to minimize and reduce overall risk. Some of the possible risks include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Raised scarring
• Skin necrosis
• Asymmetry
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Seroma
• Possibility of a revision

Dr. Allegra will thoroughly evaluate each patient to determine their individual risk factors. For example, smoking, some medical conditions, and taking some medications, may put you at risk of certain complications. In many cases, these can be reduced through alternations in pre-and-post operative care. However, sometimes Dr. Allegra may recommend against a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck vs. Mommy Makeover

A tummy tuck and mommy makeover are both common post-pregnancy procedures. The difference comes in the exact body areas targeted and how many are operated on at once. Many tummy tuck candidates are good candidates for a mommy makeover. The table below compares the two procedures and can help you determine which may work best for you.

Tummy Tuck

• Addresses abdomen and potentially waist
• May include liposuction
• Takes between two and four hours
• Will have larger candidate pool
• Less customizable
• No other procedures performed at same time
• Performed on men and women

Mommy Makeover

• Addresses abdomen and breasts in one surgical session
• Can include several combinations of breast and abdomen procedures
• Several hour surgery
• Smaller candidate pool
• More customizable
• Can include tummy tuck
• Primarily performed on women

The two surgeries also have several similarities. They are both often performed to correct the damage done to the body by pregnancy. Both a tummy tuck and mommy makeover tend to require a longer recovery period than other plastic surgeries. The candidate pools for a tummy tuck and mommy makeover cross over extensively.

Before & After Tummy Tuck Surgery With Dr. Ludwig Allegra

Consultation

For Vancouver residents, Northwest Face & Body offers two forms of consultation appointments. If you want, you are more than welcome to come in person. However, we do also accommodate virtual consultations via FaceTime and Skype. Regardless, your consultation will consist of many of the same steps.

First, Dr. Allegra will want to know the procedures you are interested in and your goals for them. He may then ask about aspects of your medical history and lifestyle. From there, he will examine the abdomen and surrounding structures to determine if you are a good tummy tuck candidate.

If you are, Dr. Allegra will then describe what the procedure will look like for you and the expected outcome. He may also recommend liposuction to enhance your results. If Dr. Allegra believes that a tummy tuck is not right for you, he will likely recommend another course of action.

Before the end of your consultation, you will receive a customized price quote and financing information. As an out-of-town patient, you may also discuss the logistics of your stay.

Surgery

Your tummy tuck surgery will take place at the accredited Northwest Face & Body outpatient surgery center. Initially, you will undergo basic medical testing to ensure the safety of proceeding with the procedure. Dr. Allegra may then make surgical markings. Finally, a certified anesthesia provider will place you under general anesthesia.

Dr. Allegra will start by making the required incision. Normally, this is hip-to-hip, but the length can vary based on the type of tummy tuck. Through the incision, he will stitch the abdominal muscles back together, if necessary. From there, Dr. Allegra will remove extra skin and fat. To aid in fat removal, he may utilize liposuction. Once he finishes removing the extra skin and fat, Dr. Allegra will pull the skin tight over your new abdomen. You can expect the surgery itself to take an average of about two to four hours. Though, this can vary based on the extent of your procedure.

Recovery

Dr. Allegra will likely advise that you remain close by for at least one to two weeks. This allows you to attend your post-operative appointments in the office, allowing Dr. Allegra to monitor you during the hardest part of recovery. However, after one to two weeks, he will likely clear you to return to Vancouver to contain your recovery.

Otherwise, Dr. Allegra will cater his post-operative instructions based on you and your procedure. Some of your Vancouver tummy tuck recovery instructions may include:

• Ensure you have a caregiver for at least the first 24 hours after surgery
• Get up and walk carefully every few hours
• Remain bent to reduce stress on the incision site
• Do not remove drains or stitches yourself
• Wear your compression garment if advised
• Stay hydrated
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol
• Avoid starting activity too soon
• Do not return to work until cleared by Dr. Allegra

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Tummy Tuck Covered In Canada?

A tummy tuck is normally defined as an elective procedure in Canada. The only times it will be covered is if deemed medically necessary. An out-of-pocket full tummy tuck in Vancouver is usually about $10,500 to $14,000 in Canadian dollars.

 In comparison, a tummy tuck across the border at Northwest Face & Body of the same quality starts at about $9,656 Canadian dollars. (Figure based on the conversion rate at the time of writing. The exact cost may vary based on the conversion rate and your particular procedure).

When Is A Tummy Tuck Medically Necessary?

Based on the answer to the previous question, you may wonder, “When is a tummy tuck medically necessary?” This will differ based on your insurance company and medical provider in Canada. However, a tummy tuck is sometimes considered medically necessary in the following situations:

• When the abdominal wall is too weak to support internal structures
• Extreme urinary incontinence (usually per the above situation)
• Chronic pain attributed to the condition of the abdomen
• Excess skin leftover after extreme weight loss

What Accommodations Do You Offer Patients Traveling To Northwest Face & Body?

The Northwest Face & Body team can help you find lodging accommodations. We work with local hotels to offer discounted rates to patients traveling for surgery. Northwest Face & Body also can provide recommendations for caregiving services if needed. If you have a question concerning your travel arrangements or staying in the US, call us and we will do our best to find a solution.

Will I Need To Stay In The States For A Long Time?

Generally, Dr. Allegra will want you to stay in the States for at least one to two weeks. He will discuss this with you before surgery. However, this may change during your healing period if needed. Most patients can return to Vancouver to continue their recovery within a couple of weeks.

What Are The Types Of Tummy Tucks?

There are a few different types of abdominoplasty. Normally, this refers to the length of the incision and whether the belly button and/or abdominal muscles are addressed. 

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• Mini: A mini tummy tuck is the least extensive of the options. It does not reposition the belly button and may address only the lower abdominal muscles if corrected at all. The incision is generally between three and eight inches long.

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• Full: The standard version of a tummy tuck involves a hip-to-hip incision, repositioning of the belly button, and usually muscle plication.

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• Extended: An extended tummy tuck wraps the traditional incision around the flanks to address extra skin on the hips and flanks.

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• Reverse: An incision just underneath the breasts/chest that corrects extra skin and sagging of the lower abdomen.

How Much Is Abdominoplasty Surgery?

At Northwest Face & Body, a mini tummy tuck starts at $6,995 USD and a standard/full tummy tuck starts at $7,485 USD. You will receive a personalized price quote after a consultation with Dr. Allegra. To find our full pricing, visit our price list.

The Best Tummy Tuck Vancouver Residents Can Get

Northwest Face & Body has served patients from around the world for over three decades. Providing the gold standard of plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, Dr. Allegra and his team aim to help you achieve your aesthetic goals and improve your quality of life. Northwest Face & Body provides the best tummy tuck Vancouver offers.

In addition to their high level of experience and expertise, Northwest Face & Body goes above and beyond to accommodate patients from Vancouver and British Columbia. To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.