body contouring

Tummy Tuck

Loose skin, fat deposits, and stretch marks on the abdomen make many of us feel self-conscious.

Tummy tuck surgery performed at The Landings Surgical Center, a fully accredited facility, can effectively remove excess skin and fat to create a smoother, firmer midsection.

What can a tummy tuck at our Halifax, Nova Scotia, practice serving greater Prince Edward Island do for you?

body contouring

A Tummy Tuck Can Achieve  Significant and Lasting Effects

Dramatic Results

Many times, diet and exercise alone are not enough to completely flatten and tighten the stomach. Removing stretched skin and stubborn fat can give your abdomen attractive definition.

Immediate Enhancement

A tummy tuck by Dr. Richard Bendor-Samuel or Dr. Louis Boileau in Halifax, NS, can provide results right away

Sustainable Results

It is important to understand that even after a tummy tuck, the natural aging process will continue to take its toll on your tissues. However, by leading a healthy lifestyle, you can maintain your trim midsection for many years to come.

Take a look at how an abdominoplasty works...

Worried about undergoing plastic surgery?

One of the Most Common  Cosmetic Procedures

A flat, toned female midsection.
A tummy tuck at our Halifax practice serving greater Prince Edward Island can help you achieve a slimmer and more toned waistline. 

Candidates for Abdominoplasty

Are in Good Health

A tummy tuck procedure is appropriate for most healthy men and women who want to improve their abdominal contours through surgery at our practice. As with most other elective procedures, tummy tuck surgery may not be safe for individuals suffering from serious conditions such as heart disease. As part of our deep commitment to the safety of our patients, Dr. Bendor-Samuel and Dr. Boileau evaluate each patient's health thoroughly at our state-of-the-art Halifax office before performing abdominoplasty.

Are Interested in Body Contouring Procedures

Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck can address loose folds of skin, fat deposits, stretch marks, and even abdominal muscles that have been stretched or weakened, leading to a protruding abdomen. Abdominoplasty is popular in combination with body contouring procedures after weight loss as well as in conjunction with breast lift surgery.

What to Expect during  Your Tummy Tuck Treatment

Initial Consultation

Before scheduling a surgery, you will need to meet with one of our surgeons for an in-depth consultation. This comprehensive assessment will allow our surgeons to create a personalized treatment plan to efficiently meet your needs and personal cosmetic goals. Our aim is to find the most conservative surgical solution that will offer maximum results.

Anesthesia

Abdominoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia, and most patients spend the night of the procedure recovering at The Landings Surgical Centre with one of our highly trained nursing staff. When a patient is completely sedated, the abdominal muscles are relaxed. This allows the surgeon to complete the procedure with greater accuracy, precision, and speed. General anesthesia is considered one of the safest forms of sedation.

Incisions

Because each patient is unique, incisions will be placed in areas that will maximize the final result. Typically, a traditional abdominoplasty requires an incision along the abdomen, from one hip to the other. Excess skin is removed in the lower abdomen near the fold of skin at the hairline. If you have requests about the specific locations of your incisions—due to your lifestyle or body type—speak to your doctor about it. Incisions are strategically planned out before the day of surgery so they can be easily hidden by underwear or swimwear.

Sculpting

Most patients will require an incision around the navel to allow maximal skin excision during the tummy tuck. Occasionally it is necessary to detach the navel from the underlying muscles, or create an entirely new naval. Fortunately, this is very uncommon.

Tightening the Muscles

In order to narrow the waistline and give your tummy a toned appearance, the muscles will often require tightening. Excess fat deposits can also be removed during this step.

Skin Removal

Once the muscles have been tightened, the abdominal skin is stretched downward and the excess tissue is carefully removed.

Eliminating Stretch Marks

Due to the nature of the procedure, any stretch marks located just below the navel can be removed with the excess skin. Any remaining stretch marks often fade after a tummy tuck, due to the tightening of the abdominal skin.

Stitches

Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures. Typically, a surgical drain will be inserted at the same time in order to prevent fluid buildup and alleviate discomfort. The drain will be removed approximately one week after surgery. The stitches are usually the kind that dissolve and don't require removal. However, we like to ensure that the wounds are healing well during a two-week follow-up appointment.

Immediately After Your Surgery

In most cases, tummy tuck patients stay overnight at our lovely waterfront location in Halifax. We perform most tummy tucks under a general anesthetic and provide overnight accommodations at the Landings Surgical Centre. You will rest overnight under the care of a registered nurses who will ensure that you are comfortable during your stay. Before leaving our private surgical facility, our doctors will provide you with a compression garment to reduce swelling, pain medication to ease discomfort. Patients will also receive specific instructions on the best way to care for the incision sites.

You will typically be asked to come back at one week after the surgery and then again one week later to monitor your recovery. Further scheduling will depend on how well you heal. Scheduled appointments are usually at six weeks, three to four months and one year postoperatively.

What to Expect During Recovery

Some degree of discomfort is normal following a tummy tuck procedure. You will be given prescription medications that will help address the tenderness, as well as antibiotics to prevent post-operative infection. Over-the-counter pain tablets can also be taken to alleviate pain and inflammation. As with most surgeries, patients should expect some swelling in the first few weeks of recovery. If your procedure includes liposuction, bruising is fairly common, as well. However, if you notice a notable increase in pain, swelling, or redness, you should contact our office as soon as possible. 

Recovering from a tummy tuck can be exhausting, but with thorough preparation, we can help minimize complications and maximize your results.

You will be given a compression garment to wear during your recovery to encourage healing and reduce swelling. Detailed post-operative instructions will also be provided to explain how to properly monitor and empty your surgical drains, as well as how to change your bandages. Showering should be avoided for the first two to three days especially when a drain has been used.

Most abdominoplasty patients are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks, though they must continue to wear their compression bandage for a couple months after surgery. It is a good idea to avoid sitting for long periods in the weeks following surgery, and some light exercise may speed healing. However, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about six weeks.

How Long Will My Tummy Tuck Recovery Take?

The length of recovery varies from patient to patient, but depends heavily on the type of procedure and how closely patients follow their post-operative instructions. For example, because a mini tuck focuses on the area below your navel and requires only one set of incisions, patients can return to some activity within three to seven days.

For patients undergoing a standard or a more extensive tummy tuck, recovery is usually longer. Both of these more invasive options require the placement of drainage tubes and weeks of limited activity. While patients who work an office job can usually return after two to three weeks, those with more physically demanding jobs may need up to four to six weeks to recover fully. We will help you understand what to expect throughout recovery during a consultation at our Halifax practice serving greater Prince Edward Island.

The Landings Surgical Centre

plastic surgery office
Our office is designed to feel warm and welcoming.

Our surgeons have the training and expertise to provide the beautiful results you deserve. Drs. Bendor-Samuel and Boileau are members of several esteemed organizations, such as:

  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery
  • Doctors Nova Scotia
  • Atlantic Plastic Surgery Society
  • Canadian Medical Association

Schedule a consultation online or call us at (866) 928-0023 to learn more.

Our office is designed to feel warm and welcoming

The Landings Surgical Centre

Our surgeons have the training and expertise to provide the beautiful results you deserve. Drs. Bendor-Samuel and Boileau are members of several esteemed organizations, such as:

  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Canadian Medical Association

Schedule a consultation online or call us at (902) 492-2007 to learn more. Our Halifax practice provides convenient care for patients from Prince Edward Island and nearby areas.

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"Our doctors and staff are professional, friendly, calm and courteous. They have an excellent rapport with each other and work very much as a team." Beth Macourt

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