Private Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty) | Find Accredited Plastic Surgeons

How long does a tummy tuck take?

A standard full abdominoplasty typically takes about 2–4 hours of operating time. Add time at the centre for check-in, anaesthesia, and recovery (usually a few extra hours). Combined cases (tummy tuck + liposuction, or as part of a "mommy makeover") can take longer.

Basic steps

1. Check-in and confirmation

You meet the team, review your surgical plan and incision markings (drawn on you while standing), and go over consent. Safety checks are completed.

2. Anaesthesia

General anaesthesia (you're fully asleep) is standard. Some shorter mini tummy tucks may be done under deep sedation with local anaesthetic.

3. Position and prep

You're positioned on your back with knees slightly bent. The abdomen is cleaned and draped sterilely.

4. Lower incision and skin lift

A long, low incision is made from hip to hip, hidden under the bikini line. The surgeon lifts the skin and fat layer up off the abdominal muscles, all the way to the rib cage.

5. Muscle repair (if needed)

If you have diastasis recti, the surgeon stitches the separated muscles back together down the midline using strong internal sutures. This step creates the "internal corset" that flattens the belly.

6. Belly button release

The belly button is left attached to the muscle and freed from the surrounding skin so it stays in its original anatomical spot.

7. Skin removal and re-draping

The lifted skin is pulled down firmly, and the excess (often a large oval of skin and fat) is removed.

8. New belly button opening

A small new opening is made in the re-draped skin, and the belly button is pulled through and stitched into place.

9. Liposuction (if combined)

The flanks, hips, or upper abdomen may be contoured with liposuction at this stage.

10. Drains and closure

One or two thin drains are usually placed under the skin to remove fluid in the first 1–2 weeks. The incision is closed in multiple layers with dissolving stitches and surgical tape or glue.

11. Wake-up and instructions

You recover in the post-anaesthesia care unit in a slightly bent ("beach chair") position to protect the incision. Most patients go home the same day or stay one night, depending on the clinic and complexity.

What to expect from the recovery process—tummy tuck recovery time

Steady, smart progress beats pushing too hard. Most people are back to desk work in 2–3 weeks and back to full exercise around 6–8 weeks, but full internal healing takes several months.

This is generalized information. Every body heals differently—follow your surgeon's plan.

Week 1

Reality check:

This is the toughest week. You'll feel tight, sore, and bent forward at the waist — that's intentional and protects the muscle repair. Drains, swelling, and bruising are normal. Most people need help with basic tasks.

Goals: Control pain, protect the muscle repair, prevent blood clots, and walk safely.

Activities: Short, frequent walks (hunched over is OK and expected); sleep on your back with knees bent over pillows in a "beach chair" position; wear your compression garment 24/7; track and empty drains as instructed. No lifting more than 2–3 kg (5 lb). No bending, twisting, or stretching the abdomen.

Weeks 2–4

Still tight, but standing taller each day.

Goals: Gradually straighten posture, reduce swelling, return to light routines.

Activities: Longer walks; light desk work (often around week 2–3); drains usually removed in this window once output drops; continue compression garment most of the day. Driving usually permitted once off narcotics and able to brake reflexively. Still no lifting, core work, or vigorous activity.

Weeks 5–8

The work phase.

Goals: Build endurance and rebuild core strength carefully without stressing the muscle repair.

Activities: Return to most light-to-moderate exercise (walking, stationary cycling, light resistance training for arms and legs). Core exercises and heavy lifting are introduced only with surgeon clearance, usually starting around week 6–8. Swelling continues to decrease, especially in the lower belly.

Weeks 9–12

Confidence building.

Goals: Near-normal daily activity; gradual return to full fitness.

Activities: Most patients return to full gym routines, running, and core training with clearance. Scar will look red and raised — this is normal and improves over many months. Continue scar care (silicone sheets or gel).

Months 3–12

Final result emerges.

Goals: Allow full internal healing, scar maturation, and final contour.

Activities: Resume all activities. Final shape settles around 6 months; scar continues to fade and flatten for a full year or more.

Helpful tips

Walk often, even on day 1: It reduces blood-clot risk and helps swelling.
Beach-chair sleep: Keeping hips and knees bent for 1–2 weeks takes tension off the incision and muscle repair.
Compression garment: Wear it as instructed — it controls swelling and supports the repair.
Hydrate and eat protein: Both speed wound healing.
Bowel plan: Pain meds cause constipation, and straining stresses the muscle repair. Use stool softeners and fibre.
Stop smoking and vaping: Nicotine dramatically increases the risk of skin death (necrosis) and wound breakdown. Stop at least 4–6 weeks before and after.

Warning signs after tummy tuck — when to call your care team

Most recoveries are uneventful, but it's important to know what's not normal. Call your surgeon or seek urgent care immediately if you notice any of the following:

Signs of infection: Spreading redness, warmth, increasing pain, foul-smelling drainage, or fever above 38.5 °C (101 °F).
Wound problems: Edges of the incision opening up, dark/black skin around the incision (possible necrosis), or sudden heavy bleeding through the dressings.
Blood clot warning signs (very important):
- In the leg (DVT): New calf pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one leg.
- In the lung (PE) — call 911 or go to the ER: Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, coughing up blood, or fainting.
Sudden severe swelling or a tight, hard "water balloon" feeling in the abdomen: May indicate a fluid collection (seroma) or hematoma needing drainage.
Drain issues: Sudden increase in drain output, bright red blood filling the drain, or the drain falling out.
Severe nausea, vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours.
New numbness, weakness, or sharp shooting pain that wasn't there before.
Signs of allergic reaction to medication: Rash, hives, swelling of the face/throat, or trouble breathing.

When in doubt, call. Your surgical team would always rather hear from you early than late.

How to choose a surgeon and clinic

Choosing your surgeon is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Tummy tuck is a major operation with permanent results — the difference between an experienced abdominoplasty surgeon and an inexperienced one is significant.

What to look for

Experience and volume (abdominoplasty-specific)

Ask how many tummy tucks they perform each year — not just "cosmetic surgeries" in general.

Abdominoplasty is technique-sensitive because:

the position and length of the scar must respect each patient's anatomy and clothing preferences
muscle repair must be tight enough to flatten the belly without restricting breathing
the new belly-button position determines whether the result looks natural or operated-on
post-weight-loss bodies have very different needs from post-pregnancy bodies

Also ask about their case mix:

Mini vs. full vs. extended abdominoplasty
Combined cases (tummy tuck + liposuction, mommy makeovers)
Post-massive-weight-loss reconstruction (if relevant to you)
Revision tummy tucks (correcting a previous surgeon's result)

Credentials and training

Verify licensure with your provincial college (CPSO Ontario, CPSBC BC, CPSA Alberta, CMQ Québec, etc.)
Look for FRCSC-certified plastic surgeons — this is the only Royal College certification recognized for plastic surgery in Canada
Be cautious of "cosmetic surgeons" without FRCSC plastic surgery certification; in Canada, any licensed physician can advertise as a "cosmetic surgeon," so credentials matter
Bonus: surgeons who teach abdominoplasty, publish outcomes, or are members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) or the Aesthetic Society

For a more in-depth guide read, How to Understand Surgeon Credentials in Canada

Outcomes and safety

Request recent data, ideally for tummy tuck specifically:

Infection rate
Seroma (fluid collection) rate
Hematoma (bleeding) rate
Skin or belly-button necrosis rate (especially relevant for smokers or larger patients)
Blood clot (DVT/PE) rate and how they prevent it
Unplanned return to OR within 30–90 days
Revision rate (how often a touch-up is needed) and reasons
Patient satisfaction and typical return-to-work timelines

Clear indications and alternatives

A careful surgeon should explicitly assess:

whether your concern is mainly skin (best treated with abdominoplasty), mainly fat (consider liposuction alone), or both
whether you have true diastasis recti that needs repair, or only loose skin
whether you should stabilize your weight for 6–12 months before surgery (most surgeons require BMI under ~30 and weight stable for several months)
whether you have any abdominal hernias that should be repaired at the same time
whether future pregnancies are planned (most surgeons recommend waiting until you're done having children)

They should also compare abdominoplasty to:

liposuction alone
non-surgical skin tightening (rarely effective for true loose skin, but appropriate for very mild cases)
weight optimization and physiotherapy first if BMI is high or muscle separation is mild

Surgical plan

Ask:

Which technique do you recommend for me, and why?
Where exactly will the scar be, and how low can it sit?
Will the belly button be repositioned?
Will muscle repair be included?
Will liposuction be combined?
Will drains be used, and for how long?

Facility accreditation and safety systems

Choose accredited centres (e.g., Accreditation Canada or CAAASF) with:

a dedicated, certified anaesthesiologist (not just a sedation nurse)
emergency equipment and clear hospital transfer protocols
DVT prevention protocols (compression devices, early walking, sometimes blood thinners)
overnight nursing if you stay

Recovery integration

You want a written plan for:

compression garment use
drain care and removal
pain control plan
return-to-work and exercise milestones
scar care (silicone, sun protection)
when virtual follow-ups are appropriate

Transparent pricing

Request an itemized quote including:

surgeon fee
facility/OR fee
anaesthesia
garments, drains, dressings
overnight stay (if applicable)
follow-ups (and whether virtual follow-ups are included)
revision policy (does the surgeon cover minor touch-ups, and under what conditions?)

Questions to ask at your tummy tuck consultation

Surgeon and plan

How many tummy tucks do you perform yearly?
How many cases like mine (similar body type, post-pregnancy vs. post-weight-loss)?
Am I a candidate for a mini, full, or extended abdominoplasty — and why?
Do I need muscle repair, liposuction, or both?

Technique and safety

Where exactly will my scar sit, and how is it placed for my preferred clothing?
What are your rates of: infection, seroma, blood clots, and revision?
What is your protocol for preventing blood clots?
What's your plan if I develop a complication?

Recovery and after-care

How long will drains stay in?
When can I return to desk work, driving, gym, and core exercise?
What symptoms should prompt an urgent call?
What's included in follow-up care, and for how long?

Costs and logistics

What exactly is included in my quote?
What could increase the cost?
What is your revision policy if I'm not happy with the result?
How are follow-ups handled if I live out of province?

Signals of a high-quality tummy tuck program

Performs abdominoplasties regularly (not occasionally) and explains technique choices clearly
FRCSC-certified plastic surgeon working in an accredited facility with a certified anaesthesiologist
Shares complication and revision rates openly and sets realistic expectations
Provides a written recovery plan, drain protocol, and clear warning-sign list
Offers transparent, itemized pricing — including the revision policy

Tummy tuck surgery - frequently asked questions

How do I know this surgery is right for me?

A tummy tuck is a major operation with a long recovery and a permanent scar. It's right for patients who have a problem that diet and exercise cannot fix — and who are at a stable weight and stage of life.

Reminder: this is general information, not medical advice.

Signs a tummy tuck might be right for you

You have loose skin that won't go away: A hanging "apron" of lower belly skin after pregnancy or weight loss does not respond to exercise.
You have a true muscle separation (diastasis recti): A bulging belly that won't flatten with core training, especially if accompanied by low back pain.
You're at a stable weight: Most surgeons want you within ~10–15 lb of your goal weight, stable for 6–12 months, and ideally with a BMI under 30.
You're done having children: Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can stretch the repaired muscles and skin again. Most surgeons recommend waiting.
You're a non-smoker (or willing to quit): Smoking dramatically raises the risk of wound complications.
You have realistic expectations: A tummy tuck improves your shape; it doesn't make you thin or remove cellulite, and it leaves a permanent (though usually low and well-hidden) scar.

When it might not be the right option (yet)

High BMI: Most surgeons recommend losing weight first to reduce complication risk and improve results.
Active smoking: Significantly increases risk of skin necrosis and wound breakdown.
Planning future pregnancies: Better to wait until your family is complete.
Unstable weight: Recent or ongoing weight loss should stabilize first.
Uncontrolled medical conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, blood-clotting disorders, or significant heart/lung disease should be optimized first.
Mainly a fat problem, not a skin problem: Liposuction alone may be the better fit.

When to consider it sooner

Chronic skin rashes, breakdown, or hygiene problems from a hanging panniculus.
Significant low back pain linked to severe diastasis recti and core weakness.
Concurrent abdominal hernia that needs repair (can sometimes be done at the same time).

Do I need a referral?

In most cases, no. Cosmetic procedures like tummy tuck are usually accessed directly — you can book a consultation with a private plastic surgeon without a family doctor's referral.

That said, your surgeon will want a complete medical history, your medication list, and recent blood work or other tests before clearing you for surgery. If you have ongoing medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, blood-clotting disorders), your surgeon may ask your family doctor or a specialist to confirm you're safe for surgery.

If you don't have a family doctor, many clinics can help coordinate the medical clearance you need.

How do I prepare for surgery?

Your surgeon's instructions come first — follow their plan if it differs.

Prehab and health optimization

Stabilize your weight

Most surgeons want you within ~10–15 lb of your goal weight and stable for 6–12 months. Significant weight loss after surgery can leave loose skin again; significant weight gain can stretch the repair.

Build core endurance (gently)

Your physio can teach safe core activation that supports the abdominal wall before surgery — but avoid aggressive crunches or anything that strains separated muscles.

Walk and light cardio

A daily walking habit improves cardiovascular health and lowers blood-clot risk after surgery.

Quit nicotine — this is critical

Stop smoking, vaping, and nicotine pouches at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and dramatically increases the risk of skin necrosis (skin death), wound breakdown, and infection.

Medication review

Share all prescriptions, OTC meds, and supplements.
Pause blood thinners, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs like ibuprofen), and certain herbal supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic) as directed — usually 1–2 weeks before surgery.

Optimize medical conditions

Diabetes: tight blood-sugar control improves healing.
Blood pressure: well-controlled BP lowers bleeding risk.

Home prep

Set up a recovery zone

A recliner or bed with plenty of pillows is ideal — you'll need to sleep in a "beach chair" position (head and knees bent up) for 1–2 weeks.
Keep essentials at waist or chest height so you don't reach overhead or bend down.
Have a small side table for water, meds, phone, and snacks.

Bathroom safety

Non-slip mat, handheld shower, and a shower chair if available.
Raised toilet seat or grab bars can help (you won't be able to use your core to stand up easily).

Clothing

Loose, button-up tops or zip-up hoodies — no pulling shirts over your head for the first 1–2 weeks.
Loose pants or skirts with a soft, high waistband that doesn't press on the incision.
Slip-on shoes (you can't bend over to tie laces).

Help at home

Arrange for an adult to stay with you for at least the first 24–48 hours (longer if you have small children).
Plan for help with cooking, childcare, pets, and lifting for the first 1–2 weeks at minimum.
No lifting children, groceries, or laundry baskets for 4–6 weeks.

Food, meds, and surgery-day prep

Stock easy meals

High-protein, easy-to-prepare foods support healing: soups, smoothies, eggs, yogurt, pre-cut vegetables.
Hydrate well in the days before.

Constipation plan

Pain meds slow the gut, and straining stresses the muscle repair. Have stool softeners, fibre, and prune juice ready.

Skin prep

Use the antiseptic wash as directed (usually night before and morning of).
Don't shave the surgical area in the days before — micro-cuts increase infection risk.

What to bring

Health card/ID, medication list, and a list of allergies.
Comfortable, loose clothing for the ride home.
A small pillow to hold against your abdomen during the car ride (helps with bumps).
CPAP machine if you have sleep apnea.

Practice ahead

Practise getting in and out of bed by rolling onto your side and pushing up with your arms — you won't be able to sit up using your core.
Set up short indoor walking routes you'll use on day 1.

Day-before checklist

No food after midnight (or as instructed).
Confirm your ride home — you cannot drive yourself.
Confirm your support person is ready for the first 24–48 hours.
Charge your phone and put it within reach.

How much does Surgency cost?

Surgency is free for patients, funded for by surgeons.

Surgeons—who meet our listing criteria—pay a flat fee to list on the Surgency platform. To maintain objectivity, there are no commissions, referral fees, nor any ranking or recommending one surgeon over another. Surgency is patient-first. Our goal is to make the process of finding a private surgeon as simple as possible. You choose who to contact. Learn more in our Advertising Policy.

What are the risks involved with surgery?

Your personal risk depends on your anatomy, BMI, smoking status, medical history, and the extent of surgery.

Reminder: this is general information, not medical advice. Discuss your specific risks with your surgeon.

Common and usually temporary

Swelling and bruising: Significant for the first 2–4 weeks; full resolution can take 3–6 months.
Numbness: Skin numbness across the lower belly is universal and improves over many months. Some areas may stay permanently numb.
Tightness and pulling: The muscle repair feels tight for several weeks.
Drain discomfort: Drains are uncomfortable but usually come out in 1–2 weeks.
Constipation: Common from pain medication.

Less common

Seroma (fluid collection): Pockets of fluid under the skin that may need to be drained in clinic.
Hematoma (blood collection): May require return to OR if large.
Wound healing problems: Slow healing, opening of the incision, especially in the centre near the belly button — more common in smokers and larger patients.
Infection: Treated with antibiotics, occasionally requires drainage.
Belly button issues: The new belly-button opening can scar, look uneven, or rarely lose blood supply.
Wide or thick scars: Scars are permanent. Most fade and flatten over a year, but some thicken (hypertrophic) or stretch.

Procedure-specific considerations

Skin necrosis (skin death): A serious complication where part of the lifted skin loses its blood supply and dies. Risk is highest in smokers, people with diabetes, and very large tummy tucks. May require additional surgery to manage.
Belly-button necrosis: Loss of the belly button if its blood supply fails. Rare but devastating cosmetically.
Persistent muscle separation: The internal stitches can rarely loosen or pull through, leaving residual diastasis.
Asymmetry or contour irregularities: Small differences from side to side, dog-ears at the ends of the scar, or rippling. May need minor revision.
Dissatisfaction with the scar: The scar is permanent and can be 30–50 cm long; final appearance varies by skin type and healing.

Uncommon but important

Blood clots (DVT/PE): Tummy tuck has one of the higher blood-clot risks among cosmetic procedures because of the abdominal pressure and the bent-forward position. Modern surgeons use compression devices, early walking, and sometimes blood thinners to reduce risk.
Pulmonary complications: Rarely, the muscle repair can be tight enough to make breathing harder for the first few days, or fluid can collect at the lung bases.
Anaesthesia complications: Rare, but discussed by your anaesthesiologist.
Need for revision: A small percentage of patients want or need a touch-up procedure for scar revision, dog-ears, or contour issues.

How you can lower risk

Stop nicotine completely for at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery.
Optimize your weight before surgery — both for safety and for results.
Move early and often after surgery to lower clot risk.
Wear your compression garment as directed.
Follow drain care exactly to lower seroma and infection risk.
Keep all follow-up appointments — early detection of problems makes them easier to manage.
Be honest about your medical history, including supplements and recreational drug use.

Is a tummy tuck permanent? Will the loose skin and belly come back?

A tummy tuck permanently removes the excess skin and fat that were taken out, and the muscle repair (if you had one) is built to last for years. In that sense, the result is durable—but it isn't immune to what happens after surgery.

A few things can change the result over time:

Significant weight gain can stretch the remaining skin, expand the abdominal wall, and pull on the muscle repair. Most surgeons want you within a few pounds of your post-op weight long term.
Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can stretch both the repaired muscles and the new skin envelope, sometimes enough to need revision. This is the main reason most surgeons recommend waiting until you're done having children.
Major weight loss after surgery can leave new loose skin, especially if you started above your stable weight.
Aging and gravity continue to affect skin elasticity and tissue tone, just as they do for everyone. The shape will keep evolving—slowly—over decades.
The scar is permanent, even as it fades and flattens over the first 12–18 months.

The patients who hold onto their result longest typically arrive at surgery at a stable weight, are done having children, don't smoke, and treat the tummy tuck as part of a long-term plan rather than a one-time fix. If your weight or family plans aren't settled yet, it's usually worth waiting.

I still have questions

If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us directly.

Please note: Surgency is not a clinic itself. Nor can we help with emergency situations, or provide personalized medical advice—that is between you and your surgeon. If you are experiencing acute or severe symptoms, please present to your local emergency department or urgent care centre.

What is tummy tuck surgery, and why do people typically have it done?

What actually happens

Why do it?