A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is the removal of loose skin and fat that is focused in the abdomen. This surgery will enhance the contour of your body by creating a flatter and firmer stomach and will also make you feel more comfortable wearing certain types of clothing as there will be no more loose skin hanging over your pants.

If you have excessive or sagging skin on or around your abdomen, typically caused by massive weight loss, you may be qualified and interested in having an tummy tuck. To qualify for this surgery, you should be in good health without any underlying serious medical conditions that could increase in risk from surgery. It is very important for the patient to ensure they have a positive attitude and are realistic about the final results. There is no particular age that is best to have this surgery done, although, some surgeons will mention waiting until after you have finished having children as your abdomen will change during a pregnancy and child birth. It is a recommendation by the surgeon; however, many women do decide to have the surgery prior to having children. The decision is up to you.

An incision will be made just above the pubic area. How much excess skin you have will determine how large the incision will be. If you have excess skin above your navel, Dr. Rodas may make another incision around your belly button so he can pull the skin downward and then remove the excess. The position of your navel will remain unchanged. Any stretch marks on your lower abdomen may be partially removed and the remaining ones will be somewhat flattened & improved. Do not expect drastic changes to your pre-existing stretch marks. Also with the tummy tuck, the muscles in your abdomen may be tightened by using sutures to repair the muscles beneath. A partial or “mini” tummy tuck will be performed if Dr. Rodas has a minimal amount of loose skin to remove and the extra fat deposits are below your navel.

Prior to surgery, you will need to go to your family doctor and have an ECG and CBC (complete Blood Count) along with these medical processes you will need to submit before photos. You will also be required to read and complete our questionnaire on our website. Remember the surgeon will only do what is requested. Be specific and note any problem areas you would like fixed.

You can be expected to lose anywhere from 5 – 10% of the total amount of weight you have lost. For example, If you have lost 100 lbs, you can lose anywhere from 5 – 10 lbs. It is better to have your plastic surgery done prior to reaching your ideal goal weight. The reason for this is that then Dr. Rodas removes excess fat, he can use it in other areas if you would like additional cosmetic procedures.

Complication rates are very low; however, common risks include, but are not limited to: excessive bleeding, skin loss around incision site, blood clots, numbness, incision separation, skin discolouration, fat necrosis, recurrent looseness of the skin, deep vein thrombosis, cardiac & pulmonary complications and nerve damage. You should be prepared for scarring. Dr. Rodas does a remarkable job, but there are instances where complications may arise that can cause unfavourable scarring.

You will need to wear a support garment for 4 – 8 weeks post-surgery. After your surgery, you will probably be unable to stand completely straight up for a couple of weeks and you should not do any strenuous activities for a minimum of 3 weeks. Everyone is different and will feel different after the surgery. Please follow the post-operative directions that Dr. Rodas provides to you.

Your tummy tuck should last many years as long as you do not gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant.

Want to talk it over? We're ready to help. Call us at 1-877-306-8891 (toll free) or 306-665-8891 (Saskatoon) if you have questions or concerns or want help finding an information session near you.