A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, restores the youthful firmness and contours of the tummy. During a tummy tuck in Dallas, incisions on the abdomen are made to trim excess skin tissues, remove excess deposits of unwanted fat, and tighten underlying abdominal muscles. Some abdominoplasty techniques also involve using liposuction to eliminate excess fat deposits, following which the abdomen is trimmed and chiseled. The primary goal is to make the tummy look flat and youthful, reversing the effects of age, weight fluctuations, and childbirth.
Tummy Tuck
Dallas
Goals of Tummy Tuck Include:
- Make a previously flabby tummy look flat and firm
- Improve the overall contours of the body
- Improve abdominal muscle definition
- Remove sagging skin tissues
- Remove excess fat deposits
- Offer a slimmer waistline
- Make the belly button look youthful
- Remove stretch marks and C-section scars below the navel
- Allow you to fit into desirable clothing
- Improve confidence and self-esteem
How Tummy Tuck Works
Most want to maintain a flat, firm, and toned abdomen without skin laxity and sufficient abdominal muscle definition. But weight fluctuations, age-related changes, and pregnancy can lead to loose, sagging skin, excess fat deposits, and stretched abdominal muscles, making your tummy look flabby and weak. Exercise and a good diet can certainly tone your abdomen, but no amount of exercise can deal with sagging/ drooping skin or damaged abdominal muscles. When exercise stops offering the desired benefits, a tummy tuck in Dallas might be your only option.
To maintain a firm, sculpted abdomen, you need skin tightness, minimal subcutaneous fat deposits, and tight muscle fibers. An abdominoplasty addresses all of those goals. The procedure involves using liposuction to eliminate excess fat cells, following which sagging skin tissues are trimmed away and tightened. And finally, the abdominal muscles underneath the skin are tightened with sutures, making them look more prominent. A tummy tuck reverses the damage caused by age, weight gains, and childbirth, making your tummy look flat and svelte.
Candidates for Tummy Tuck:
- Have excess skin laxity and fat deposits on the abdomen
- May have weak or stretched abdominal muscles because of age or childbirth
- Want to make the tummy look flat, firm, and youthful
- Want to reverse the effects of age, childbirth, and weight changes on the tummy
- Are willing to maintain the results with a good diet and regular exercise
- Are done having children
- Are in good physical and mental health
- Have realistic expectations from the procedure
- Are nonsmokers or willing to stop smoking before and after the procedure
- Can take around two weeks off work and other responsibilities to recover
Dr. Chiodo’s Personalized Tummy Tuck Technique
Dr. Chiodo performs a highly personalized tummy tuck in Dallas after a thorough evaluation. He carefully examines your abdomen, measures the degree of skin laxity, reviews your medical history, and asks about your concerns and goals. After a thorough evaluation, he creates a treatment map on your body, outlining the areas that need to be trimmed or tightened. He will also discuss your treatment options. Depending on your unique condition and goals, Dr. Chiodo may use one of three possible tummy tuck techniques, all performed under general anesthesia.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Dr. Chiodo makes a small incision at the bikini line, after which he separates the skin from the underlying tissues, trims excess skin, and smoothens it into the new position. If necessary, he may also tighten the underlying abdominal muscle fibers with sutures, making your abdomen look more firm. This procedure addresses minor skin laxity. The incision is made on the bikini line, easily concealed with a swimsuit.
Full Tummy Tuck
During a full tummy tuck in Dallas, Dr. Chiodo makes two incisions on the abdomen — one on the lower abdomen and another around the navel. He separates the skin from the underlying tissues, trims excess skin from the lower and upper abdomen, and tightens the underlying muscle tissues with sutures. The navel will also be repositioned in a more appropriate and youthful position. This procedure leaves a more prominent scar but is suitable for more dramatic changes.
Extended Tummy Tuck
Dr. Chiodo makes a large hip-to-hip incision that wraps around the abdomen. He trims excess sagging skin across the abdomen, tightens underlying muscle tissues, and re-drapes the skin into the new position. He may also reposition the navel to make it look more firm and youthful. This procedure leaves a fairly prominent hip-to-hip scar, but it can be concealed under a swimsuit. This procedure is for patients with severe skin laxity due to a dramatic weight loss.
Tummy Liposuction
Sometimes, Dr. Chiodo might combine a tummy tuck in Dallas with liposuction. He uses the incision from the primary tummy tuck to insert a hollow cannula, which loosens and suctions away excess fat cells from your abdomen. This procedure reduces excess fat deposits and improves the contours of the abdomen.
Recovery After Tummy Tuck
You may experience soreness, discomfort, swelling, tenderness, and bruising around the tummy for two weeks, following which the side effects dissipate. You will also have to wear compression garments for a few weeks to reduce swelling and facilitate recovery. Most patients need to take 1 or 2 weeks off work and 6 weeks off exercise and strenuous workouts. Please follow the surgeon’s aftercare guidelines to ensure optimal recovery.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What are the potential risks and complications of a tummy tuck?
While tummy tucks are generally safe, there are potential risks, including infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Complications may include scarring, numbness, and asymmetry. Dr. Chiodo will thoroughly assess each patient’s health and implement advanced safety protocols to minimize these risks.
How much does a tummy tuck procedure typically cost?
Tummy tuck costs vary widely based on your specific needs, the degree of skin laxity, and the extent of the procedure. Please consult Dr. Chiodo for an estimate based on your needs.
Will there be visible scarring after a tummy tuck?
Yes, there will be some scarring, typically located low on the abdomen. The standard tummy tuck involves an incision from hip to hip — this can be concealed under your bikini. A mini tummy tuck may involve a smaller scar similar to a C-section scar. Dr. Chiodo uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring and offers guidelines to minimize their visibility over time.
How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
The results of a tummy tuck can be long-lasting if you maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise. While the aging process continues, the improvements achieved through the procedure last several years, helping you maintain a sculpted abdomen.
Can a tummy tuck address stretch marks and excess skin after pregnancy?
Yes, a tummy tuck can address stretch marks and excess skin caused by pregnancy. This procedure tightens abdominal muscles and removes loose skin, thereby tightening abdominal skin and contours. Furthermore, the tummy tuck can remove stretch marks located at the region of the excised excess skin but not stretch marks outside that region.
Is it possible to combine a tummy tuck with other cosmetic surgeries?
Yes, it is possible to combine a tummy tuck with other cosmetic surgeries, such as liposuction or breast augmentation. This allows patients to address multiple concerns in a single procedure, reducing overall recovery time and costs. Dr. Chiodo can discuss personalized options.
Schedule an Appointment
Dr. Michael Chiodo is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgeries of the body. He specializes in cutting-edge abdominoplasty techniques that leave minimal scarring that can be concealed under a swimsuit. He also discusses your goals and concerns to recommend the ideal procedure for your needs, ensuring natural-looking results that conform to your goals. Please schedule an appointment to explore your options for a tummy tuck in Dallas.
