Tummy Tuck

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, close to 300,000 women have selected to have a tummy tuck procedure in the past three years. Women interested in a tummy tuck seek out Dr. Weider to improve the appearance of a protruding abdomen and sagging, excess skin after trying traditional methods such as weight loss and muscle strengthening. A tummy tuck creates improved abdominal contours by:

• Creating a tightened abdominal wall appearance
• Removing excess fat in the mid and lower abdomen
• Removing excess skin in the mid and lower abdomen
• Tightening skin that has lost elasticity

When perfoming a tummy tuck, Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Weider utilizes his extensive experience and skill to redefine the abdominal contours.  During a consultation with Dr. Weider, you will learn about every feature of the abdominoplasty procedure including:

• Techniques that incorporate liposuction and muscle tightening
• Mini-tummy tuck technique for less extensive cases, which removes excess fat and tightens skin and lax muscles below the navel
• How skin elasticity and abdominal firmness may affect the procedure
• Anesthesia
• Facility choices such as our fully accredited facility and surgical center
• Guidelines to reduce the risk of complications after tummy tuck
• Costs for tummy tuck including: surgeon’s fee, facility fees, and anesthesia fees

THE TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

Dallas tummy tuck expert Dr. Weider performs the tummy tuck operation in order to provide a firmer abdominal wall and a narrowed waist line. The time required to complete a tummy tuck may be three or more hours depending on the need for liposuction and the amount of excess tissue to be removed.  During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Weider will make an incision from one hip bone to the other hip bone, along the pubic line. The length of the incision depends upon the extent of the procedure. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. In the mini-tummy tuck procedure, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved. The navel may be pulled into a smaller shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

During surgery, Dr. Weider will lift the skin and create a skin flap to uncover the abdominal wall muscles. Then, he will tighten the muscles by pulling them close together to suture them into a tightened position. Dr. Weider will then stretch the skin flap downward, trim excess skin and suture the skin flap into place. A new navel may be created and stitched into place. Liposuction may be performed during abdominoplasty to remove excess abdominal fat. Finally, a temporary drain may be placed.  Dr. Weider also recommends a pain pump to minimize discomfort in the first few days after surgery.

The Mini Tummy Tuck involves lifting the skin that is located between the incision line and the navel to tighten loose muscles and then to trim excess skin.

AFTERCARE FOR TUMMY TUCK

You will typically spend the first night following the procedure in our surgical center to assist with the initial recovery.  Dr. Weider will see you the morning after the procedure. You will be provided with guidelines for dressing treatment, drain care, activity restrictions and medications to ease discomfort. You will be given a support garment that must be worn in the first three to four weeks following abdominoplasty. You may temporarily experience swelling, bruising, bleeding and numbness. Symptoms will usually be relieved with use of a compression garment.

The list of guidelines provided by Dr. Weider reduces the risk of complications from the tummy tuck procedure. Complications from abdominoplasty are rare and can usually be managed by Dr. Weider. Some complications include: adverse anesthesia reaction, excessive bleeding, blood clots, and excessive scarring. Scars will be evident below the bikini line for nine to twelve months. Scars will lighten and usually flatten in the months to follow. Many people return to work within two weeks following the procedure, but some prefer up to four weeks of rest time.

Your refined abdominal contours will be apparent soon after the recovery period and should last for many years thereafter. However, tummy tuck results may change somewhat over time, depending upon aging, weight changes, and pregnancy.  Dr. Weider finds his tummy patients to be extremely happy with their results. Please give Weider Plastic Surgery a call today at 972.566.8444 to set up your personal consultation.