Tummy Tuck in Dallas, TX

ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY, TUMMY TUCK

For women and men alike, getting rid of hanging skin and excess fat along the abdomen can be frustrating and challenging. Pregnancy, weight loss, and aging are the most common reasons why someone may not be able to attain a tighter and slimmer abdomen. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that successfully transforms the stomach area, creating extraordinary results for patients. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. George A. Toledo performs abdominoplasties that are tailored to meet his patients’ needs. This popular surgery at the Highland Park Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas allows patients the chance to have a new, youthful shape and renewed confidence. Before contacting us for your consultation, learn more about how a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat, as well as tighten the abdominal muscles.

Abdominoplasties can be performed on both men and women. The best candidates should be in good health, non-smokers, and near their ideal body weight. Women should be finished with childbearing. Most patients typically experience one or all of the following:

· Excess, loose, and/or sagging abdominal skin

· Abdominal musculature that has stretched out or weakened (called diastasis recti)

· Hernias (umbilical, incisional, or ventral) caused by pregnancy, weight gain, or a previous surgery

· Excess fat deposits under the abdominal skin and waistline

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is not a weight loss procedure—it focuses on reducing loose skin and improving poor abdominal muscle tone. All of these factors can lead to low self-esteem and are not correctable by diet and exercise. During your consultation at the Highland Park Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Toledo will discuss with you your personal goals and the available surgical options to meet these goals.

Dr. Toledo will create a unique treatment plan for each patient based on their needs and desires. The extent of the tummy tuck depends on many factors, but the largest determining factor in your surgery is your amount of loose skin. The goal is for the muscles to be flat and tight, as well as for minimal loose skin to be observable when in a sitting position. The types of abdominoplasty are as follows:

· Mini or Partial Tummy Tuck: This surgery typically focuses on loose skin in the lower abdomen and usually results in a shorter scar. This procedure may incorporate Cesarean section and/or hysterectomy scar revision as well.

· Full or Standard Tummy Tuck: This surgery addresses all the excess skin of the anterior abdomen, as well as muscle looseness and hernias. This method places the incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic area.

· Extended Abdominoplasty: This includes a standard tummy tuck, as well as addresses the excess skin over the lateral hip, thigh, and buttocks area. The most comprehensive of these procedures is also known as a mid-body lift.

Your surgery will most likely be performed as an outpatient procedure at the Highland Park Plastic Surgery Center. After a recovery period, you will be sent home with a compression garment to promote optimal healing and support hose to prevent blood clots/deep vein thrombosis. You will experience some discomfort for a few days, which can be managed by prescription pain medication. After one week, you should be able to resume nonstrenuous activities; however, we recommend waiting 3 to 4 weeks before resuming strenuous exercise.

Dr. Toledo and the staff of the Highland Park Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas will provide you with detailed written and verbal instructions describing aftercare and will be available to address any post-operative questions or concerns that you may have.

Surgery Instructions

What type of tummy tuck should I get?

There are three main types of tummy tucks: mini, full, and extended. In your consultation, Dr. Toledo will ask about your needs and goals before examining your stomach. Then, he can better recommend which tummy tuck procedure will give you your best results. A full tummy tuck is ideal if you want to address issues in the upper and lower abdomen, while a mini tummy tuck is preferred if you only have problems below your belly button, similar to a "pooch." An extended tummy tuck is designed to improve the abdomen, as well as the hips and upper thighs.

What will my scars look like?
The incisions needed for your tummy tuck will depend on how extensive a correction is desired. For all tummy tucks, Dr. Toledo makes the smallest, thinnest incisions possible to limit scarring. He also makes incisions in less visible areas, such as in the pubic region or belly button, so they can be easily concealed by a swimsuit or underwear. After your surgery, it is important to follow your scar care instructions so that your incisions heal as flat as possible and blend into your natural skin.

Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

While you can still get pregnant after a tummy tuck, it may alter your results. Dr. Toledo recommends that you be finished with planned pregnancies and childbirth before you consider a tummy tuck. If you do get pregnant after a tummy tuck, a revision surgery can be performed to refresh your results if needed.

Can I get a tummy tuck with another surgery?
Many patients combine other surgeries with a tummy tuck to get more dramatic improvements. During your consultation, Dr. Toledo will discuss your concerns so a comprehensive treatment plan can be developed that matches your goals. You may combine a tummy tuck with breast surgery or liposuction. See our mommy makeover section for more information.

Many factors can lead to a stretched-out stomach that creates hanging skin. We know it can be annoying and frustrating, and surgery is generally the only way to overcome this. If you are tired of having loose skin in your abdomen, regardless of the severity, cosmetic surgery by Dr. Toledo in Dallas, Texas can help you get the look you want. Please contact the Highland Park Plastic Surgery Center to learn more.