What is abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, sometimes referred to as a 'tummy tuck', is a surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the lower and middle part of the abdomen and the underlying abdominal muscles are reinforced.
A tummy tuck can improve the appearance and profile of the lower abdomen by:
- Removing excess, distended skin
- Reducing or eliminating stretch marks and scarring
- Removing accumulated fat from the lower abdomen
- Reducing any stomach protrusion that is disproportionate to the rest of the body
- Repairing stretched abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
Patients who have undergone abdominoplasty report improved muscle tone as well as a firmer and smoother looking abdomen. Many abdominoplasty patients find that their clothes fit better and their posture improves significantly after the procedure.
Venus Legacy
Is our nonsurgical alternative for a loose abdomen. It can tighten skin and reduce fat. The device makes use of multipolar radio frequency and pulsed magnetic fields—long proven to be safe and effective technologies in the medical industry—to uniformly heat the skin and trigger collagen production with immediate and continued skin tightening. This Venus Legacy process can be used virtually anywhere on the body.
Criteria and Limitations
Interest in abdominoplasty can be due to a variety of reasons. Pregnancy, genetics, ageing, prior surgeries, and excessive fluctuations in weight can all change the appearance and function of your abdomen. The two most frequently cited reasons for abdominoplasty are pregnancy and marked fluctuations in weight, as these can cause the abdominal wall tissues to be stretched.
The ideal abdominoplasty patient is a non-smoking individual with a stabilized weight, who is physically and mentally healthy, and has realistic expectations about how one or more of the following concerns may be addressed through surgery:
- Skin: loose abdominal skin, particularly skin folding and/or stretch marks
- Fat: extra fat above the waist, commonly referred to as a 'muffin top'
- Muscle laxity: weakened or separated abdominal muscles
Although eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are essential to maintaining a healthy abdomen, such behaviours are not able to alter excessive skin that hangs or folds around the abdomen. Abdominoplasty can help restore the abdomen to a more smooth, taut appearance.
It is important to understand that abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery. Patients interested in changing their shape through the removal of fat deposits that cannot be addressed by diet and exercise should look into liposuction. This and any other options that interest you can be discussed during a consultation with Dr.Madronich in a pressure-free environment, in which you are free to ask questions and determine what is right for you.
Dr. J. Robert Madronich 
Dr. Robert Madronich is a Toronto Plastic Surgeon and a member of the Canadian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He holds double board certification with both a Plastic Surgery Fellowship as well as a Head and Neck Plastic Surgery Fellowship.
Abdominoplasty should only be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon—a medical specialist who has completed a minimum of five years of training in surgery following medical school. Plastic surgeons require a high level of surgical skill, excellent aesthetic judgment, extensive knowledge, and years of practice.
Finding a qualified plastic surgeon that you feel is right for you is an important part of the abdominoplasty process. Patients considering aesthetic surgery should have the opportunity to discuss their expectations, and options in depth with their surgeon.
What to expect - Consultation
If you are interested in abdominoplasty, have questions about the procedure, or want to know if you are a suitable candidate, you can book a consultation with Dr. Madronich to discuss your options and learn about his approach to plastic surgery.
During your consultation, Dr. Madronich will ask about your medical history, get to know you, and work to understand your needs, expectations, and goals. Dr. Madronich will talk you through available surgical procedures, associated costs, what you can expect in terms of recovery, as well as any risks associated with the procedure. Together you will discuss what kind of results you can reasonably expect from an abdominoplasty procedure in the context of your physique, health conditions and body proportions. You will be able to ask questions, see before and after photos of former abdominoplasty patients, and meet the friendly staff at Madronich Plastic Surgery and Laser.
The fee for a consultation with Dr. Madronich is $100 CAD, which can be applied to the cost of your abdominoplasty surgery, should you decide to proceed.
View Our Photo Gallery
Take a few moments and review our photo gallery to see the before and after transformation of Dr. Madronich's patients for yourself.
Operation
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia at Mackenzie Health (previously named York Central Hospital) in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Patient comfort and safety, alongside clinical excellence, are always the highest priorities in Dr. Madronich's practice. The staff at Mackenzie Health and Madronich Plastic Surgery and Laser, are friendly and understanding professionals, who understand you may be nervous and have questions or concerns. The staff will do their best to alleviate any concerns you have and answer your questions.
During your abdominoplasty procedure, Dr. Madronich will make a small, horizontal incision low on your abdomen, where it can be hidden by a bathing suit or underwear after it has healed. Each procedure is unique, tailored to fit your individual needs. For example, the length of the incision is determined by the amount of excess skin being removed. During your procedure, Dr. Madronich will lift and remove excess skin. At this point, he may tighten the underlying abdominal muscles with permanent sutures, reposition the belly button, or liposuction fatty deposits in other areas, depending on the comprehensive surgical plan developed at your consultation. The end result is a more taut, smooth abdomen that is in proportion to the rest of your body.
Recovery
Your individual needs will determine the duration of your hospital stay. Dr. Madronich recommends that his abdominoplasty patients stay overnight in the hospital. During your procedure, a drain will be placed in the abdomen to remove any excess fluid and hasten healing. Drains can easily be concealed with loose clothing. In the majority of cases, drains will be removed the day after surgery.
Most patients will need to take 2 weeks off work to recover and should expect to wear a specially designed, tight compression garment, similar to Spanx, for at least 6 weeks to minimize swelling and support the abdomen as it heals.
Most patients report that the most uncomfortable part of surgery was a feeling of tightness in the abdomen for a week following the procedure. You will begin to see the initial results of your surgery—a slimmer profile—within one to two weeks of your surgery, as any swelling begins to decrease.
Dr. Madronich recommends that his abdominoplasty patients avoid strenuous physical activity during their recovery and refrain from any abdominal exercises for at least 6 weeks. You may return to light exercise after 2 weeks and low impact aerobics—such as the elliptical machine or swimming—after 4 weeks.
You should expect swelling during the first month following surgery. Swelling should subside within 3 months. The time it takes for complete healing will depend on a number of factors, for example, the extent of skin removed and the general health of the patient.
Although any surgery will produce scarring along the incision line, the length and severity will depend on the amount of skin removed, the skill and experience of your surgeon, your skin type, and genetics.
Request Your Consultation