WindsorTummyTuck

Windsor Cosmetic Surgery | TummyTuck

Abdominoplasty for you. Fit into your clothes. Feel beautiful again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of scars will I have and where will they be located?
Various scar patterns are possible, depending on the exact procedure that is appropriate for you. The main abdominoplasty scar is located across the lower abdomen. There is also a scar around the navel. Occasionally, a vertical midline scar is necessary.

Your scars will initially be red and a little raised, but over three to six months they usually get lighter in colour and flatten out although they will never disappear completely. They may remain the same size for several months, or even widen.

How long is the operation?
The actual surgical time varies depending on the amount of surgery necessary for each patient, but usually is about 2 hours.

How long is the hospital stay?
Abdominoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day once you have recovered from the anaesthetic. We perform all our abdominoplasty surgery in a private surgical facility.

How much pain should I expect?
This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Every patient has a different pain tolerance. However, we will prescribe sufficient pain medication throughout your recovery period to ensure the discomfort you feel is manageable.

Most people feel tender and bruised after surgery, but are not in a great deal of pain.

What happens after the surgery?
We use dissolvable stitches so there will be no need to have them removed post operatively.

Swelling and bruising on the abdominal skin are routinely seen after the operation but they will recede in the weeks following the operation. Complete resolution of swelling can take up to one year. You may also experience numbness over the entire abdominal area, which may take up to a year to resolve.

When can I go in the sun?
You should avoid exposing your new scars to the sun for at least six months or until they have matured well. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the scar to darken. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block.

Will I need to wear a support garment?
Your abdominal support garment will be placed on immediately after your surgery. You will need to wear one continuously for four weeks; thereafter, during the daytime for another two weeks.

If you experience persistent swelling beyond six weeks, you may require your abdominal support garment for up to three months.

We also encourage our patients to apply paper tape to their incisions for the first 4-6 months, to hasten the maturation of the scar.

Will I have drains?
Yes. Drains are small tubes attached to reservoir bulbs. They are inserted at the time of your surgery to drain off any fluid that accumulates underneath the surface of the skin. They are removed approximately 5-7 days post operatively.

We will show you how to milk your drains, every two to four waking hours. Empty the drain bulbs every eight hours and record the volume of fluid collected.

When will I be able to go back to work and resume my normal activities?
You should be up and about in a day or two, although you should plan on taking it easy during the first week after surgery. We encourage you to start walking almost immediately after surgery to diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs, as a result of immobilization from the anaesthetic. Even while you are resting, you should be moving your feet and ankles frequently to promote circulation in your legs. In our experience, this will help you will recover much faster, and with fewer complications.

If you have a sedentary job, you should anticipate about two weeks off work. Occupations involving vigorous physical activity will require a longer period of healing – usually four to six weeks prior to resumption of work.

Strenuous aerobic activity can be resumed at approximately four weeks post operatively. By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop.

In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.

How long will the results last?
This is impossible to answer definitively. Factors affecting the length of the result include age at the time of operation, physical condition before and afterwards, quality of skin, and alterations in weight.

However, the vast majority of people do not require a second abdominoplasty in their lifetime.

Will abdominoplasty remove my stretchmarks?
Abdominoplasty removes stretchmarks below the navel, but it must be understood that not all stretchmarks can be eliminated. We will remove as much as is safe.

What if I want another baby?
The operation should not be undertaken unless you intend no further pregnancies.

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Tel: (519) 971-0971