Tummy Tuck Overview
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that’s performed often at Polavarapu Plastic Surgery to remove extra skin and fat and tighten stomach muscles. A tummy tuck is a perfect procedure for those who wish to have a flatter and toned waistline after significant weight loss or pregnancy.
Typically, a tummy tuck surgery begins with anesthesia to make you completely relaxed and pain-free. Then, the surgeon makes an incision just above the pubic area. The incision size depends on how much excess skin is to be removed. Sometimes a second cut is made around the navel if work needs to be done on the upper stomach.
Through the incisions, the surgeon pulls the muscles together and removes excess skin and fat. Dr. Polavarapu typically performs liposuction of the abdomen, and flanks, as part of the tummy tuck procedure. Once your stomach is shaped, the skin is pulled back into place, and sewn together again.
Understanding the Different Types of Tummy Tucks
There are three main types of tummy tucks. During your consultation, your board-certified plastic surgeon will help you decide which one is best for you, based on your needs, how loose your skin is, and what you want the outcome to be.
The most common is the full tummy tuck, which focuses on the upper and lower abdomen to realign abdominal muscles.
A mini tummy tuck targets only the lower abdomen. The incision is smaller, and recovery is shorter than a full tummy tuck.
An extended tummy tuck involves removing skin from the abdomen and sides (or flanks) and requires a much longer cut. This surgery is often performed along with liposuction.
Highlights
Before and After Photos
Good Candidates for a Tummy Tuck
If you are healthy and want a flat, more toned abdomen, a tummy tuck in Dallas may be just what you need. This surgery is particularly helpful for people with excess skin or fat around the midsection caused by weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.
Good candidates for abdominoplasty in Dallas are nonsmokers. You should also have realistic expectations since a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss surgery but a procedure to shape and tone the waistline. People who are closest to their ideal weight and have been able to maintain that weight consistently tend to get the best results.
Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women should avoid the procedure.
Why Choose Polavarapu Plastic Surgery for a Tummy Tuck in Dallas?
At Polavarapu Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kiran Polavarapu helps her Dallas patients get amazing results with tummy tucks. She is very skilled in body contouring and has a lot of experience with abdominoplasty surgeries.
Another reason to choose Dr. Polavarapu is her attention to detail when performing a tummy tuck. Whether it’s a full or mini tummy tuck, she customizes the surgery to each patient’s needs. Before and after images of our patients clearly show that Dr. Polavarapu approaches each abdominoplasty in Dallas with an aesthetic eye.
Polavarapu Plastic Surgery is conveniently located in Fort Worth near Dallas, with a friendly staff providing each patient with the best possible care.
Tummy Tuck in Dallas Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck in Dallas starts at $13,000 because Dr. Polavarapu performs liposuction of the abdomen and flanks as part of this procedure; however, the final cost of a tummy tuck in Dallas depends on the needs of each person. The complexity of the surgery, whether it’s a mini or full tummy tuck or combined with other procedures, affects the price. Other factors that change the cost of surgery are the anesthesia and use of the facility fees. However, financing options available through Cherry payment plans can help you manage the cost more easily.
The Consultation
At your initial consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Polavarapu, you will discuss your goals and reasons for having a tummy tuck. She will examine your abdomen and review your medical history, including past surgeries, current medications, allergies, and any health conditions.
Additionally, the surgeon will discuss the tummy tuck procedure with you, explaining what to expect before, during, and after your surgery. Once all of your questions are answered, you can schedule your surgery date.
Set Up Your Consultation in Dallas
Get the confidence-boosting, flat, and toned waistline you desire with a tummy tuck in Dallas at Polavarapu Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kiran Polavarapu will help you look and feel your best in a caring and supportive environment. Call 817-873-0948, or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation with the best plastic surgeon in Dallas for a tummy tuck and learn about your options.
DALLAS TUMMY TUCK FAQS
Have a specific question? Contact us!
Even if you’re of normal weight, it’s possible to have an abdomen that has loose, sagging skin and separated muscles. A tummy tuck can help firm up the skin and repair the musculature to create a slimmer, flatter-looking belly.
A tummy tuck, which is also called abdominoplasty, cannot help you lose considerable weight. Most candidates for the surgery are already at a stable, healthy weight. A tummy tuck cannot remove stretch marks, but it can correct issues with your abdomen related to:
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Heredity
- Prior surgery
If you plan on losing weight in the future or getting pregnant, hold off on the surgery until you’ve achieved a healthy weight and have completed your family.
Before you’re approved for surgery, Dr. Polavarapu provides a comprehensive exam that evaluates your health, skin tone, and the type of fat in your abdominal region to ensure you’ll respond well to the surgery.
Smoking inhibits healing and overall tummy tuck results, so be sure to quit prior to your procedure.
If you’re not a good candidate for a tummy tuck, Dr. Polavarapu can offer alternatives, including a mini tummy tuck to address fat just below the navel, a tummy tuck in conjunction with liposuction, or liposuction only.
The entire tummy tuck procedure takes between two and five hours, depending on your particular case. You’re placed under general anesthesia for the procedure.
Dr. Polavarapu makes a long incision that spans from hip bone to hip bone, right above your pubic area. Another incision frees your navel from the surrounding tissue. She then tightens the vertical muscles of your abdomen by pulling them closer together and stitching them into place. Your abdominal skin is stretched down and any excess trimmed. She cuts a new hole for your navel and stitches it into place, then closes your incisions.
Recovery from a tummy tuck takes several weeks, or even months, for you to return to normal. The better shape you’re in prior to surgery, the easier your recovery will be. You may need to take anywhere from 2-4 weeks off from work to rest and recuperate.
During your recovery, Dr. Polavarapu recommends you perform some kind of gentle exercise, such as walking, to reduce the chance of blood clots and reduce swelling. You’ll have some scarring, which may seem to worsen during the first 3-6 months following surgery, but typically flattens out and lightens in color after 9-12 months.
*Individual results may vary
