When your body shape changes, you can be left with remnants of the previous shape that aren’t pleasing. If you’ve experienced weight loss, for example, or following pregnancy, you might have loose skin or a bit of a protruding tummy that doesn’t match your new shape. Some women also find that the size of their breasts are too large and cause physical discomfort. What can be frustrating is that these areas tend to not respond to regular diet and exercise.
But you don’t have to live with the protruding tummy or the sagging, too-large breasts, constantly looking for clever ways to camouflage them with clothes. There are cosmetic surgery procedures that can help contour and sculpt your body. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can flatten and tighten your abdomen, while breast reduction surgery can reshape and reduce the size of the breasts, giving you the silhouette you’ve worked hard to achieve.
How Is an Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck Performed?
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, gives the patient a flatter abdomen by tightening the abdominal wall muscles and removing excess skin and fat. The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic. It can take 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the patient and extent of the procedure.
The plastic surgeon makes a horizontal incision above the pubic bone. The length and shape of the incision is determined by the degree of correction necessary. The abdominal muscles are tightened with sutures then excess skin is removed. In some cases, liposuction may also be performed to remove fat cells. A small incision around the navel is made to reposition the belly button.
What Happens at a Breast Reduction Surgery?
There are various surgical techniques for a breast reduction. The technique used by Dr. Dickie at the Royal Centre of Plastic Surgery involves making an inverted-T incision that circles the areola, extends downward and follows the curve beneath the breast. Glandular tissue, fat and skin is removed to achieve the intended size before the nipple and areola are repositioned. Liposuction may be used to ensure the overall shape is aesthetically pleasing.
Can a Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction Be Done Together?
A tummy tuck and breast reduction are complementary surgeries that can help contour the body after weight loss or pregnancy. And it is possible for a patient to have both breast reduction and tummy tuck surgery at the same time. The abdominoplasty is usually done first so that any downward movement of skin and muscle is completed before the breast reduction. Afterward, the patient can expect to see a noticeably different shape with a flatter, smoother abdomen and smaller, less pendulous breasts.
Since a tummy tuck and breast reduction are significant surgeries with general anaesthetic, the patient must be in very good health to become a candidate for a combined procedure. Extensive tests will be conducted in advance to determine the patient’s suitability for combined surgery.
Even if a combined surgery is not an option, patients can elect to have the surgeries separately. Usually the tummy tuck is performed first then, after a full recovery, the breast reduction surgery occurs. While this course takes longer, the results should still be a more pleasing body shape.
Ideal Candidates for a Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction
People who have experienced significant weight loss yet have a protruding or sagging abdomen despite healthy diet and exercise habits are good candidates for a tummy tuck. Women who finished having children and feel their abdominal muscles are too lax are also good candidates for abdominoplasty. Some patients choose to have a tummy tuck to recontour the abdomen after an earlier surgery left scarring or puckering.
Breast reduction surgery ideally suits women who experience pain, discomfort or even limited physical activity because of large or pendulous breasts. Reducing the size of the breasts can make a remarkable difference to a woman’s confidence and her activity level.
It’s important to note that neither of these surgeries are intended as weight loss tools. You should be at or close to your desired weight and enjoying a healthy lifestyle before considering surgery.
Have an Expert Consultation for a Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction
If you would like to have a flatter abdomen and smaller breasts to improve how you feel and look, be sure to seek the advice of an experienced, professional cosmetic surgeon. The results of your surgeries depend on the knowledge and skill of your surgeon. The cosmetic surgeon should discuss the procedure and expected outcome with you.
Contact the Royal Centre of Plastic Surgery in Barrie for more information on abdominoplasty, breast reduction and other possible cosmetic enhancements that you might be considering. To schedule an in-depth consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Dickie, fill out the form to request a consultation, or call us at 1-855-552-1864 .
Let us help you achieve your desired look. We are committed to helping you look and feel great.