Tummy Tuck Surgery in West Island, Montreal

Tummy tuck abdominoplasty Montreal

Length: 2-3 hours
Anesthesia: general
In/Outpatient: Based on your general health this procedure is generally an outpatient procedure
Side Effects: bruising, swelling, discomfort, temporary numbness
Risks: bleeding, infection, poor scars, permanent numbness, asymmetry, blood clot in the leg or lungs
Recovery:
Return to work: 2 weeks for most patients
Light exercise: 4 weeks
Full activity: 6 weeks
Swelling completely resolves: 2-3 months

The abdominal area can be difficult or impossible to tone and tighten, especially after pregnancy or weight gain. This is because the skin and abdominal muscles are “stretched out,” stretch marks appear and stubborn fat accumulates. Diet and exercise are often not enough as skin, once stretched, will never regain its tone (there is no muscle in skin — it’s just an elastic sheet). While abdominal muscles can be strengthened with exercise, they cannot be brought back together once separated, except with surgery. Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a safe and effective way to remove the excess skin and stretch marks, narrow the midsection by tightening the muscles and remove any stubborn fat deposits. If you are interested in learning more about the procedure, Dr. Arie Benchetrit invites you to contact our Montreal plastic surgery practice at 514-695-7450 to schedule a personal consultation. Dr. Benchetrit has many years of tummy tuck experience, having performed more than 1500 of these, and uses advanced techniques for highly effective results.

The Tummy Tuck Consultation

There are several things to accomplish during your tummy tuck consultation. First, Dr. Benchetrit will examine your abdomen to determine whether you’re a tummy tuck candidate; he will take into account the quality of your abdominal skin, how much excess fatty tissue you have, the degree of muscle separation you have in your midline and your overall body type. Dr. Benchetrit will inquire about your health, medical history and any past surgeries that you’ve had. He will also ask what is motivating you to have surgery and what you hope it will accomplish. Dr. Benchetrit will also show you “before and after tummy tuck” photos of previous patients on whom he has performed the same procedure so you can have an idea of what to expect.

After deciding that you’re a suitable tummy tuck candidate, Dr. Benchetrit will delve into greater detail about the surgery. He will explain the steps and techniques he uses and discuss your surgical and non-surgical options and the risks of the procedure. In addition, Dr. Benchetrit will describe what you can expect on the day of your surgery and during your recovery. This is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions and bring up any concerns that you may have.

Vectra 3D Photography

Dr. Benchetrit is one of the very few surgeons in Canada to own the Vectra 3D photography system. This revolutionary device can take 3D photos of the abdomen and flanks and then simulate the results of the planned surgery on a computer screen. This makes it easier for the patient to make her decision and, by giving a “preview” of the final result, takes much of the worry out of the process.

Tummy Tuck Techniques

During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Benchetrit focuses on using techniques that produce the most inconspicuous scars possible. He will make a horizontal incision just above the pubic area, extending from hipbone to hipbone. He will lift the skin from the abdominal wall to access the underlying musculature and tissue. Dr. Benchetrit will tighten the abdominal muscles, stitching them into their new position. He may use liposuction to target any localized fat deposits, in the upper abdomen or ‘love handles,” and he may also move the navel into its new position. Then, he will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin across the abdomen. Dr. Benchetrit closes the incisions with sutures and places a compression garment across the abdomen. He uses dissolvable stitches that do not need to be removed. On occasion, drains will be left in for 10-14 days to prevent fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma).

A “mini tummy tuck” is a twist on a traditional tummy tuck that is suitable for patients who only have excess skin and fat deposits below the navel. The navel may remain in its original position during a mini tummy tuck.

A “fleur-de-lys” tummy-tuck is another, much more extensive procedure for patients with very severe excess skin and laxity. These are often patients who have lost significant weight on their own or after bariatric surgery. In this procedure, an additional vertical incision is used to fully correct the loose skin of the upper abdomen and flanks.

Dr. Benchetrit may also perform tummy tuck surgery as part of a mommy makeover procedure, a comprehensive treatment designed to help women reclaim their pre-pregnancy figure.

The Day of Surgery

Tummy tuck is typically performed in a surgical center or at the Lakeshore General Hospital.Before surgery, experienced medical personnel will greet you and put you at ease, while preparing you for the surgery. An anesthesiologist will then put you under general anesthesia and administer medications to help you remain comfortable during the procedure. The procedure will usually last two to three hours, and when you wake up, you’ll be escorted into a recovery suite where you will rest for several hours. Then, you will be released into the care of a loved one, who should escort you home and help you get settled. Please make your caretaker arrangements ahead of time to ensure a smooth and seamless transition home.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Your abdomen will feel sore and swollen after surgery. Dr. Benchetrit will give you a prescription for oral pain medication right after your surgery so you can ease any discomfort. You should rest as much as possible in the first few days of your recovery, avoiding any strenuous movement. However, you will be mobile and encouraged to get up and walk around regularly. Dr. Benchetrit will advise how long to wear your compression garment, and when it is safe to return to work, exercises and your normal activities. He will also see you several times after your surgery to examine your healing progress and answer any questions you have. If you are concerned about minimizing the appearance of any scars, Dr. Benchetrit can recommend special dressings and ointments to place on your incision lines. Full tummy tuck recovery can take up to six weeks and the results continue to improve for six months. The scar will gradually fade and, in most patients, will take up to 18 months to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Other Considerations

Pregnancy or future weight loss can distort the effects of tummy tuck. If you are planning to become pregnant or lose a significant amount of weight in the future, it’s best to postpone your tummy tuck. Talk to Dr. Benchetrit about the best way to time your surgery.

Why Choose Dr. Benchetrit For Your Surgery?

Dr. Benchetrit is an experienced plastic surgeon who has performed over 1400 tummy tucks. He has used all of the different techniques and has obtained a very high degree of satisfaction for his patients. Dr. Benchetrit spends a lot of time in the consultation process explaining the different options and helping the patient select the right procedure for her desired result. With the help of the Vectra 3D photo system, patients can “preview” the results of their surgery on a computer screen to help them decide if this is exactly what they want.

Learn More about Tummy Tuck

If you would like a slimmer, narrower midsection, consider tummy tuck surgery. Schedule a consultation with Montreal tummy tuck surgeon Arie Benchetrit to discuss the procedure and what it can accomplish. Call 514-695-7450 today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tuck Surgery

Q: Can exercise tighten the abdominal skin without abdominoplasty?

A:Unfortunately no. Exercise is good for the body in general, and toning the muscles can help fill out loose skin in the vicinity. By suppressing the appetite, and by slightly increasing the metabolism, exercise can assist weight loss. But there is no such thing as a “spot” exercise, to make the body lose weight in a certain area, nor to make the skin tighter. Exercise can increase muscle bulk, and that in turn can make skin look tighter in some areas, but exercise cannot tighten the loose abdominal skin. To date, only surgery can accomplish that.

Q: Is abdominoplasty a good way to lose weight?

A: No, abdominoplasty is not a good way to lose weight. Not only is it less effective for people who are obese, but also the results are less than ideal, and there are increased risks for the significantly overweight person. The best candidates are those who have attained their ideal body weight, and yet still have the abdominal problems which do not respond to further weight loss or exercise. After a consultation, Dr. Benchetrit often prescribes a diet program for overweight patients as preparation for abdominoplasty.

Q: Does abdominoplasty take care of cellulite?

A: There is nothing mystical or special about “cellulite”, it is just fat, but it is fat located just under the skin, making a rippled look that is quite apparent. Abdominoplasty removes some of this cellulite fat also, but it is difficult to eliminate entirely. Studies show that dieting is considered a much more effective way of achieving weight loss.

Q:Does abdominoplasty take care of stretch marks?

A: Stretch marks are scars. They are produced by stretching of the skin, but only in situations in which there are various hormones circulating, as in pregnancy and puberty. Those stretch marks located on the lower abdomen will be removed with the extra skin. Those located on the upper abdomen will be shifted downward as the skin is brought downward. The stretch marks that remain are tightened and somewhat smoothed out.

Q: Will abdominoplasty tighten up loose skin?

A:Yes, that is one of the main purposes of abdominoplasty.

Q: Where are the scars after abdominoplasty?

A: There is always a scar around the navel. There is almost always a low horizontal scar across the lower abdomen just above the hairline. Sometimes there is also a short vertical scar above the pubic area.

Q:Can the problems come back after abdominoplasty?

A: Fat cannot come back unless one gains weight again, in which case all body areas will share in the weight gain. However, after abdominoplasty the treated area has a permanently decreased capacity for additional fat, because so many of the fat cells have simply been removed. But there are still fat cells present, so some gain in that area is to be expected with weight gain. Skin stretches with the passage of time, and so as the years go by there will be more skin, and for the same reason the muscles will gradually stretch out again. Nevertheless, a better contour after surgery is in a sense permanent, in that no matter what the person’s age, the benefits remain.

If you have any other questions about tummy tuck surgery, or other plastic surgery procedure, please feel free to contact us at 514-695-7450.