Excess abdominal fat and skin is a common concern among women and men who come to my plastic surgery practice. Determining the appropriate treatment plan to address those concerns depends on each individual’s cosmetic goals and whether the person is more concerned about fat, loose skin, loose abdominal muscles or a combination of these things. For example, some patients who come in for consultation about getting liposuction to remove fat, may be better able to reach their goals with tummy tuck surgery at my Toronto practice.
In this blog post, I’ll outline the various nonsurgical and surgical fat removal options. I’ll also describe the best candidates for a tummy tuck.
Fat Reduction Treatment Options
It’s important to understand that fat reduction procedures are not the same as weight-loss surgery or programs. Plastic surgery after weight loss may include a tummy tuck, but patients who are significantly overweight should consult with their primary physicians and trainer to create a weight loss plan. This will also help in maintaining results after body surgery.
For patients who are at or near the weight at which they are comfortable, targeted fat reduction treatments can contour trouble spots such as arms, back rolls, bra and outer pectoral rolls, inner and outer thighs, inner knees, calf, love handles or a belly pooch. These treatment options include:
CoolSculpting®: This nonsurgical, non-invasive treatment uses cold temperatures to kill isolated pockets of abdominal fat but will not tighten the skin.
TruSculpt® 3D: This nonsurgical treatment relies on a specialized handpiece that emits quick pulses of radiofrequency energy. The provider guides the handpiece back and forth over the targeted area while heat energy targets the fat cells. Radiofrequency destroys fat cells AND tightens the skin, which is advantageous for many patients.
Liposuction: For patients who want more extensive fat reduction, liposuction is the best option. I offer a range of liposuction techniques, which provides me the flexibility to address each patient’s specific concerns. Traditional (suction assisted liposuction or S.A.L.) and more modern liposuction techniques involve injecting a solution called “tumescence” that swells the fat and minimizes bleeding. I then insert a thin tube called a cannula to suction out the fat. Other techniques include VASER liposuction (using ultra-sonic energy, previously under the name of U.A.L – ultrasound-assisted liposuction) and power-assisted liposuction – PAL, a technique that reduces bruising and bleeding. When treating lipedema, a condition of excessive adipose accumulation in lower parts of the body, I favour the least aggressive treatments to minimize trauma to the lymphatics thought to be involved in the condition, so S.A.L., maximal tumescence solution, and smaller cannulas.
Tummy Tuck
In many cases, I combine liposuction with tummy tuck surgery for heightened results. But a tummy tuck offers benefits that fat reduction alone can’t provide. People who get tummy tucks include women who want to sculpt their abdomen after having had children or women and men who have had weight-loss surgery or lost significant weight after making lifestyle changes.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes the excess abdominal skin that remains after massive weight loss. View our gallery of before-and-after photos of my actual patients to see the dramatic results a tummy tuck can create. A tummy tuck combined with liposuction restores a flat abdomen and creates a contoured hourglass figure that many people want.
I can also repair and tighten abdominal muscles separated during pregnancy and with obesity, a fairly common condition called rectus diastasis. For women, this condition can cause lower back pain and poor posture. Most abdominoplasty procedures also involve rejuvenation of the belly button into a more oval, vertical belly button. I pay careful attention as to create a small belly button hooding, a sexy part of a young belly button. Other tummy tuck benefits for women include reducing urinary incontinence and feeling more confident wearing clothes or bathing suits that showcase their bodies.
Combining Procedures
Many women who get tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy may want cosmetic breast surgery at the same time, such as a breast lift or breast augmentation. This combination is often called a mommy makeover and can also include vaginal rejuvenation, such as labiaplasty, vaginal tightening, pubic lift or a nonsurgical laser treatment (diVa®). I have discussed these procedures extensively on my blog so feel free to learn more about vaginal rejuvenation options there.
If you’re unsure about what body contouring procedure is best for you or have questions about a Mommy Makeover, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call our office at (416) 929-9800 (Yorkville).
