The Flat Stomach You've Been Working Toward
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
You did everything right. You lost the weight. You hit the gym. You cleaned up your diet. And still — you've got loose skin that hangs over your waistband, a belly that pouches out no matter how many crunches you do, and maybe a gap between your abdominal muscles that makes your stomach dome when you sit up. That's not a willpower problem. That's a structural one.
A tummy tuck is the reset button your midsection needs. Dr. Jaberi removes the excess skin, tightens the abdominal wall, repairs separated muscles, and sculpts a flat, toned-looking abdomen. It's the most transformative body contouring procedure there is — and there's a reason it's one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the world.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 3–4 hours |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Recovery | 4–6 weeks; 2–3 weeks off work |
| Results | Long-lasting with stable weight |
| Starting From | $12,000 |
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
An abdominoplasty — tummy tuck — is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying muscle wall. If pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging left you with a belly that diet and exercise can't fix, this is the procedure that bridges that gap.
Here's what actually happens: Dr. Jaberi makes an incision from hip to hip, low enough that it hides entirely beneath your underwear or bikini bottom. He lifts the skin off the abdominal wall, repairs any diastasis recti (that's the medical term for separated ab muscles — extremely common after pregnancy), tightens everything up, removes the excess skin, repositions your belly button, and closes with meticulous technique.
The result? A flat, firm abdomen that actually matches the rest of your body. Clothes fit differently. You stand straighter because your core is literally stronger. And that frustrating pouch? Gone.
Most patients combine their tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks to create a smooth, natural-looking contour from every angle. Dr. Jaberi will tell you during consultation whether that combination makes sense for your specific anatomy.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?
An abdominoplasty might be your best option if:
- You have excess abdominal skin that hangs or folds over
- Pregnancy separated your abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- You've lost significant weight and have loose belly skin
- Diet and exercise haven't flattened your stomach
- You're done having children (pregnancy can reverse results)
- You're at or near a stable, healthy weight
Important note: a tummy tuck isn't a weight-loss procedure. It's designed for people who are at or near their goal weight but can't get rid of loose skin and muscle separation. If you're still actively losing weight, it's better to wait until you've stabilized — you'll get a much better result.
What to Expect — From Consultation to Flat Stomach
Your Consultation
Dr. Jaberi will assess your skin quality, the degree of muscle separation, your body fat distribution, and your overall health. He'll check for diastasis recti (you might not even know you have it). He'll also discuss whether a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, or a different approach makes the most sense for your anatomy and goals.
Expect an honest conversation. If lipo alone would get you where you want to be, he'll say so. If you need the full procedure, he'll explain exactly why — and show you before-and-after photos of patients with similar starting points.
Surgery Day
The procedure takes 3 to 4 hours under general anesthesia. You'll go home the same day with a compression garment, drains (usually removed within the first week or two), and a prescription for pain management. You'll be walking — slowly and hunched over — from day one. That's normal and temporary.
Recovery Timeline
The tightest and most sore. Walk hunched to protect the repair. Pain is well-managed with medication. Sleep on your back with pillows under your knees. Gentle walking several times a day is mandatory — it prevents blood clots.
First follow-up. Drains may be removed. You'll start standing a little straighter each day. Light activity around the house is fine. Driving and heavy lifting — absolutely not yet.
Most patients return to desk work. You're standing upright now. The compression garment stays on. Swelling is going down and you can already see significant improvement, even though the final result is months away.
Light exercise resumes — walking, stationary bike. No crunches, no planks, no heavy lifting. The muscle repair is still solidifying. You'll feel like you can do more than you should — resist that temptation.
Full exercise resumes after 6 weeks. Swelling fully resolves over 3 to 6 months. Scars continue fading from red/pink to barely visible lines. This is when you appreciate the full transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liposuction removes stubborn fat but doesn't address loose skin or separated muscles. A tummy tuck removes excess skin, repairs the muscle wall, and creates a flat abdomen. Think of it this way: if you can grab a handful of loose skin, you likely need a tummy tuck. If your skin is still tight but there's a layer of fat you can't lose, liposuction may be sufficient. Many patients benefit from combining both.
Yes, and this is one of the most important parts of the procedure. Diastasis recti — where the two halves of your rectus abdominis muscle separate, usually from pregnancy — is repaired with internal sutures that pull the muscles back together. This not only creates a flatter stomach but genuinely strengthens your core. Physical therapy can help mild cases, but once the gap exceeds about 2 centimeters, surgery is the only reliable fix.
The incision runs from hip to hip, placed low enough to sit beneath your underwear, bikini, or swim trunks. There's also a small circular scar around the belly button where it's been repositioned. Dr. Jaberi places these incisions with precision and uses advanced closure techniques. The scars start out visible but fade significantly over 6 to 12 months, and continue improving for up to two years.
Here's the honest version: the first week is the hardest — you're sore, hunched over, and moving slowly. By week 2–3, most people are back at a desk job. By week 4, you feel pretty good. By week 6, you're cleared for full activity. The caveat? Your body is still healing internally for months. Swelling comes and goes. Some days your stomach looks amazing, other days it's a bit puffy. The final result settles at around 3 to 6 months.
Walking begins day one — seriously, it's critical for recovery. Light cardio (stationary bike, gentle walks) starts around week 4. Ab exercises, heavy lifting, and intense workouts wait until the full 6-week mark. The muscle repair needs time to solidify, and pushing too hard too soon can compromise your results. Dr. Jaberi will clear you based on your specific healing progress.
A tummy tuck with Dr. Jaberi starts at $12,000. The price includes the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility fee, and all follow-up appointments. The final cost depends on the complexity — adding liposuction, the extent of muscle repair, or the amount of skin removed can all affect pricing. You'll receive a detailed, personalized quote after your consultation.
Ready for a Stomach That Matches Your Effort?
You've done the hard work — the dieting, the gym, the discipline. A tummy tuck is the final step that closes the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Book your consultation with Dr. Jaberi today.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188