When the Problem Is Up Top, Not Down Below
Reverse Abdominoplasty in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
Most people associate a tummy tuck with the lower belly — that's the standard approach. But what if your lower abdomen actually looks pretty good and the real issue is up higher? That roll of skin above your belly button, beneath your chest, bunching up every time you sit down? That's a different problem, and it needs a different solution.
A reverse abdominoplasty flips the script — literally. Instead of pulling skin downward, it pulls excess upper abdominal skin upward and removes it through an incision hidden in the natural crease beneath your breasts. It's a procedure most people have never heard of, but for the right candidate, it's a game-changer.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 2–3 hours |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Recovery | 4–6 weeks; 2–3 weeks off work |
| Results | Long-lasting with stable weight |
| Starting From | $11,000 |
What Is a Reverse Abdominoplasty?
A reverse abdominoplasty removes excess skin from the upper abdomen — the area between your belly button and the bottom of your breasts. While a standard tummy tuck uses a hip-to-hip incision and pulls everything downward, a reverse tuck places the incision in the inframammary fold (the crease under your breasts) and pulls the excess skin upward for removal.
This procedure is most commonly performed on patients who have undergone massive weight loss — often after bariatric surgery — where the skin laxity is concentrated in the upper abdomen. After losing 80, 100, or even 150+ pounds, the body is left with skin that simply has no elasticity left. The upper belly bunches, folds, and creates uncomfortable skin-on-skin contact.
Because the incision lives in the natural fold beneath the breasts, it's well-hidden. And because this area is so close to the breast, a reverse abdominoplasty is very commonly combined with a breast lift — two problems, one surgical plan, one recovery.
It's a less common procedure than the standard tummy tuck, which is exactly why you want a surgeon who understands post-bariatric body contouring inside and out. Dr. Jaberi has the training and the experience to know when this approach is the right call.
Is a Reverse Abdominoplasty Right for You?
This procedure is designed for a specific group of patients:
- Your primary skin excess is above the belly button
- You've had massive weight loss (often 80+ pounds) or bariatric surgery
- Loose upper abdominal skin folds or rolls beneath your chest
- A standard tummy tuck wouldn't address your main concern
- You may also need a breast lift (excellent to combine)
- You're at a stable weight and medically cleared for surgery
If you have excess skin both above and below the belly button, you may need a combination approach — such as a standard tummy tuck plus a reverse tuck, or a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty. Dr. Jaberi will map out the best strategy during your consultation.
What to Expect — From Consultation to Contour
Your Consultation
Dr. Jaberi will assess the distribution of your skin laxity — is it primarily upper, lower, or both? He'll evaluate skin quality, the amount of excess, and whether combining with a breast lift or other procedures makes sense. Post-bariatric patients often benefit from staged procedures (addressing different areas over multiple surgeries), and he'll lay out a comprehensive plan.
Surgery Day
The procedure runs about 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia. If combined with a breast lift, add 1 to 2 additional hours. The excess skin is excised from below the breast crease, the remaining skin is re-draped smoothly, and the incision is closed meticulously within the natural fold. You go home the same day with a compression garment and clear instructions.
Recovery Timeline
Upper abdominal tightness and soreness. Avoid reaching overhead. Sleep propped up. Light walking keeps blood flowing and supports healing.
First follow-up. Drains removed if placed. The tightness starts easing. Light daily activities are manageable — nothing strenuous.
Most patients return to desk work. Swelling is going down. The smoother upper abdominal contour is already visible. Compression garment continues.
Light exercise resumes. Scars are settling into the breast crease. Comfort level improves significantly. The full contour is becoming clear.
Scars fade and flatten. Final results are visible. The upper abdominal rolls are gone, replaced by a smooth contour that integrates naturally with the rest of your torso.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard tummy tuck addresses skin below the belly button. A reverse tuck is for when the main problem is above the navel — typically after massive weight loss. If you had bariatric surgery and lost 80+ pounds, there's a good chance your upper abdomen has significant excess skin that a standard approach can't reach. That's exactly what the reverse technique is designed for.
Right in the inframammary fold — the crease beneath your breasts. This is one of the most naturally camouflaged scar locations on the body. It's hidden by the breast, it sits in a natural fold, and once healed, it's very difficult to see. If combined with a breast lift, the scars integrate into the same surgical plan.
Yes, and it's one of the most common combinations. Since the incisions overlap in the same area, combining a reverse tuck with a breast lift is surgically efficient — you address both the upper abdominal skin excess and breast ptosis in one operation, one anesthesia, one recovery period. For post-bariatric patients, this combination is often transformative.
Similar timeline — 2 to 3 weeks off work, 4 to 6 weeks to full activity. The main difference is that soreness and tightness are in the upper abdomen and under the chest rather than the lower belly. The compression garment, activity restrictions, and swelling timeline are comparable.
Starting at $11,000 with Dr. Jaberi. If combined with a breast lift or other procedures, the total adjusts accordingly. Everything — surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility, follow-ups — is included in your quote. No hidden costs.
Ready to Address That Upper Belly Skin?
If your weight-loss journey left you with excess skin up top, a reverse abdominoplasty is the specialized solution you've been looking for. Let Dr. Jaberi assess your anatomy and design a plan that fits.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188