Drainless Tummy Tuck in Vancouver

An abdominoplasty, more popularly known as a tummy tuck, is a powerful technique to recontour the abdomen. Unlike non-invasive procedures, which are often costly and insufficient to achieved the desired results, abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen that can be present following weigh fluctuations, maternity, or ageing. Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery, it is designed solely to contour your abdomen.

What Is a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

There are 3 main layers of the abdomen:

Outer skin and fat
Muscle layer
Internal layer (contains fat and internal organs)

A drainless abdominoplasty surgery involves removing a segment of skin and fat, tightening the internal muscles, and re-closing the skin and fat layer in a fashion that improves the contour. The internal layer containing organs and fat is not treated with abdominoplasty, which is an important concept. If there is too much internal fat such that the abdomen pushes outwards, after surgery the contour of the abdomen will be improved, but will be unlikely to be completely flat. Dr. McInnes will assess your abdomen at your consultation and give you an idea about your expected contour afterwards, or if he recommends additional weight loss beforehand.

Types of Abdominal Contour Procedures

There are several different types of abdominal contouring procedures available. The operations are done under general anesthetic. Specific adjustments are individualized, but common adjuncts include liposuction, mons pubis contouring, and a breast lift (aka. “mommy makeover”).

Non-invasive (see FAQ below, “what about Coolsculpting”)
Liposuction (see “Liposuction”).

Liposuction alone is used in patients with minimal skin excess and good skin quality such that it can contract after excess fat is removed with the liposuction cannula. Dr. McInnes will usually recommend some degree of liposuction and contouring to the flanks with your abdominoplasty surgery to give an optimal result. Dr. McInnes is trained in SAFELipo, arguably the gold standard of liposuction techniques. High definition liposuction is also a very good option for lean individuals with stubborn areas of fat that prevent them from achieving their goals (eg. abdominal muscle definition).

Mini-abdominoplasty

This can be an appropriate treatment for patients with small amounts of loose skin located just below the belly button. A common presenting scenario would be a fairly thin patient after childbirth, who just has a small amount of loose skin in this area.
The incision usually doesn’t carry as far laterally as a conventional abdominoplasty, and the belly button does not need to be repositioned. This is a slightly less extensive operation than a conventional abdominoplasty, and as such patients may recover faster.

Conventional abdominoplasty

This operation is the most common, it involves a low incision across the waist, made at the pubic line. Dissection is carried up high towards the ribs so that the skin can be pulled tight. The abdominal “six pack” muscles are then tightened together towards the midline, as they usually separate from previous weight gain or pregnancy. This acts in some ways as an internal corset, tightening the abdomen from the inside. The skin and excess fat below the umbilicus is discarded, and the tunneled skin is then pulled down over the belly button. A new hole is then made in the skin and the belly button is pulled through and inset. This procedure is often combined with liposuction to help improve the contours.

Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty

In patients who have lost a very significant amount of weight, either through diet and exercise, or weight loss bariatric surgery, more aggressive surgical techniques are often required to contour the abdomen. A “Fleur de Lis” abdominoplasty contours the abdomen in both the vertical direction (which all tummy tucks do) and the horizontal direction. The incision is similar to an “inverted t” on the abdomen, and trades a vertical midline scar in order to eliminate some of the excess skin that has stretched out horizontally. In patients who require this procedure, a conventional tummy tuck will prove dissatisfying, and they will still have skin that bunches and leaves fullness in the midline. In some patients with a tremendous amount of excess skin and fat, a second stage operation may still be required, called a reverse abdominoplasty. If Dr. McInnes thinks you will fit this category he will discuss this with you during your consultation. Technical details of the Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty can be seen in this article written by Dr. Ryan Mitchel, who Dr. McInnes trained with during his residency . Post bariatric surgery patients have unique requirements to ensure nutritional status and surgical safety are met. Dr. McInnes will often liaise with your weight loss team to ensure you are medically optimized prior to surgery.

Abdominioplasty Candidates

Adults with significant skin excess and looseness

Adults with a relatively stable weight (including those after weight loss)

Individuals without complex medical conditions that would increase the risks of surgery

Non-smokers

Consultation

In addition to details on your medical history, Dr. McInnes will want to know specific details about any respiratory issues, any previous abdominal surgery, or conditions such as hernias, etc. It is very helpful if you bring 1-2 printed photographs of your desired surgical outcome.

Dr. McInnes will perform a thorough physical examination to help advise you on the best abdominal contouring procedure for your body.

Recovery

Following your surgery, a dressing will be applied to your incisions, and your will wear a supportive abdominal binder for 4-6 weeks.Dr. McInnes may use drains to help remove excess fluid caused by swelling and inflammation from surgery. Specific post-operative protocols will be printed out at the time of your consultation to help you better understand the post-operative experience.

What happens after I’ve recovered in the recovery room?

Most patients spend 1-2 hours in the recovery room before being discharged. If you’ve had additional procedures done, an overnight stay may be possible if arranged well in advance of your surgical date, but often is not required. You will be given pain medication to take at home, and Dr. McInnes will discuss this with you at your consultation.

What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?

Dr. McInnes believes in multi-modal pain treatment as it has been shown to be the most effective and decreases the use of narcotic pain medications. He will commonly treat his patients with a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and a short course of narcotic. In combination with the numbing (freezing) medication injected at the surgical site, many patients are surprised by just how little narcotic medication they use.

When can I resume normal activity and exercise?

For abdominoplasty surgery, Dr. McInnes doesn’t want his patients doing any intense physical activity for at least 4 weeks. Dr. McInnes will provide you with a detailed post-operative form to review before and after surgery. Generally speaking, you will need to take it easy for 3-4 weeks, and avoid excessive tension on the incisions for at least 6 weeks.

*You will be given specific verbal and written instructions before your surgery date, and will have emergency contact information for Dr. McInnes so you can reach him at any time if there are any concerns.

Results & Expected Outcome

The smoother, tighter contours that result from an abdominoplasty are apparently almost immediately following your procedure, although they will be somewhat obscured by swelling. The skin itself will continue to contract after your surgery as the swelling subsides. A scar will remain where the incisions were made, which generally fades to a nice, faint line with time.

Although excellent results are expected from your procedure, like all things in medicine and surgery, there is never a 100% guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary. For patients with massive weight loss, occasionally a “reverse abdominoplasty” is also required but cannot be done at the same time or it will disrupt the blood supply to the abdomen. The results of abdominoplasty surgery will be relatively long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should persist.

Abdominoplasty FAQ's

My friend got a free tummy tuck, why are you charging me?

Cosmetic surgery is not a benefit of the Medical Services Plan (MSP) anywhere in Canada, as taxpayers do not wish to pay for cosmetic surgery. A procedure called a panniculectomy is covered by MSP in certain medical circumstances, however this is not a cosmetic operation. Sometimes patients do not understand the difference between the two operations, and may report getting a “free tummy tuck”. This procedure involves removing some excess fat and skin below the belly button in certain patients but it does not contour the abdomen, and often does not produce a cosmetic improvement as the belly button gets sewn down to the pubic line. Many plastic surgeons refuse to do this procedure because it is somewhat aesthetically displeasing and is only for certain medical conditions. Dr. McInnes is happy to discuss the indications, limits, and outcomes of panniculectomy with you at your consultation.

What about my stretch marks?

Childbirth or weight loss commonly leave patients with stretch marks, which are full thickness scars in the skin. Like scars elsewhere, there isn’t a magic potion to eliminate them. Abdominoplasty surgery may remove some of the stretch marks, but this will depend where they are located. If they are mainly below the belly button, they will be mostly excised. If the stretch marks are located above the belly button, they will still be present after abdominoplasty. Dr McInnes will discuss this with you during your consultation.

What about non-invasive treatments (Coolsculpting, Sculpsure etc.)

Non-invasive treatments can be used for very mild cases, but won’t achieve the desired results for more moderate fatty deposition. Coolsculpting is often over-promoted in cosmetic med-spas by non-plastic surgeons who don’t have the ability to offer any surgical treatments. Several surgeons have abandoned less invasive options as patients were often spending a considerable amount of money only to be left disappointed with very modest results. Similarly, for very large amounts of excess fat, particularly if there is excess skin, liposuction alone may not achieve desired results. By offering multiple treatment options, Dr. McInnes can advise you on the treatment that will give you the results you desire with the least amount of downtime.

Why should my weight be stable before abdominoplasty?

The reason weight should be stable before abdominoplasty is because weight fluctuations can impact the results of your surgery. For example, if you were to lose a significant amount of weight after your abdominoplasty, Dr. McInnes may have been able to remove additional skin and fat from your abdomen. Similarly, if you gain weight, your surgical results will not be optimized for your size. It is important to aim for a healthy, sustainable weight prior to your abdominoplasty.

Cost

Prices for abdominoplasty surgery vary based on your individual surgical requirements, the exact procedures performed, and will be provided after your assessment.

Your quoted cost will include the following:

Surgical facility fee and nursing staff fees

The anesthesiologist fee

Cost of all surgical supplies

Surgeon fee

Financing plans are available and are becoming an increasingly popular option.

Risks

There are risks associated with your surgery. Please download the consent form designed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for a detailed list and description of the risks involved (found here). Risks of surgery will be discussed prior to your consent. It is important to address all your questions directly with Dr. McInnes.

Tummy Tuck Cost in Vancouver

The cost of a tummy tuck in Vancouver is based on individual surgical requirements and the exact procedures you require will be provided after your consultation. A mini abdominoplasty starts at $11,500. A Drainless abdominoplasty with liposuction + mons reduction/lift starts at $15,000 and an extended or vertical abdominoplasty starts at $17,000. Financing plans are available and are an increasingly popular option.