Tummy Tuck

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Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a body contouring procedure to achieve a tighter, slimmer abdomen. 

Despite our best efforts in exercise and nutrition, getting rid of the excess skin and fat in the upper and lower abdomen can be frustrating and challenging. Some of the most common reasons why it may be difficult to obtain a tighter abdomen may be pregnancy, aging and weight loss. An abdominoplasty or more commonly known as a “tummy tuck” can help you achieve a slimmer and tighter abdomen to help you look and feel your best.  

At Texas Surgical Arts, in Houston, Dr. Ricardo M. Bonnor, a double board certified cosmetic surgeon, performs abdominoplasty helping many patients achieve a new, youthful toned abdomen. To schedule a consultation, call us at (281) 579-5638 to speak with our courteous and professional staff.  

Tummy Tuck Ideal Candidates

The best candidates should be in good health, non smokers, and near the ideal body with a BMI under 35. Women should be finished with chilbearing.  Patients that consider this operation experience loose or sagging skin and an abdominal wall that has stretched or weakened (diastasis recti). Patients may also experience hernia (umbilical, incisional, or ventral) caused by pregnancy. In addition patients will often experience excess fat deposit in the waistline and lower back. 

More About Tummy Tuck

Curious about the amazing changes that Dr. Bonnor can help you realize? Read our blog to learn the latest on suite of services at Texas Surgical Arts.  

A tummy tuck can be performed in both men and women. This is not a weight loss procedure but rather an operation that aims to reduce loose skin and improve abdominal muscle tone.  Dr. Bonnor will formulate a unique treatment plan based on the patient’s goals and desires. Within this unique treatment plan there are common principles to keep in mind. The goal is to tighten the abdominal muscle, keep the lower abdominal incision low and within the “bikini line” and reconstruct the belly button in a manner that looks natural and feminine.  

The standard incision for the tummy tuck procedure travels across the lower abdomen horizontally, from hip to hip, just beneath your underwear waistband.  The critical component of this incision is not how long the incision is but more importantly how low it is located.

There different types of abdominoplasties:

  • Mini Tummy Tuck – This surgery aims to reduce the skin in the lower abdomen and leads to a shorter scar. A mini tummy tuck does typically involve muscle plication or tightening. This incision typically revises a previous  C section scar.
  • Standard Abdominoplasty – This operation aims to correct  all of the excess skin of the anterior abdomen as well as muscle looseness and hernias. This technique places the incision from hip to hip over the pubic area.
  • Extended abdominoplasty – This approach aims to correct loose skin over the lateral hip, thigh and buttock area. This is also known as a body lift.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Which Is Right for You?

 Liposuction is ideal for those who don’t have excess skin or loose abdominal muscle but have what are often referred to as “bulges.”[2] Some fat bulges are especially stubborn and will not go away, even with our best efforts in nutrition and exercise. 

Liposuction is less invasive than a tummy tuck and can be used to target various areas on the body. It is particularly effective for localized fat tissue on well toned abdomens, lower and upper back,  arms, legs or under the chin. If your skin is tight and firm but you are battling excess fat, then a liposuction procedure is for you.

The tummy tuck procedure targets excess skin and fat on the abdomen. If the central issue that you are experiencing is loose skin or stretched muscle, you would be wise to consider a tummy tuck surgery by Dr. Bonnor.

Before and After Photos

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Perhaps you are hoping to get your pre-baby body back. Maybe you’ve been shedding-pound after-pound and can’t wait to reap the rewards. But tummy tuck offers a bigger benefit than meets the eye. 

Better Posture 

Extreme weight loss and multiple pregnancies often result in distended stomach muscles that no amount of exercise or diet can help.[3] A tummy tuck surgically tightens weak muscles while also removing excess fat and skin, resulting in a flatter abdomen. Tighter stomach muscles can improve an individual’s posture due to tighter abdominal muscles better support the spine. This additional support and better posture may help relieve some types of back pain.

Reduction in Urinary Incontinence

Many new moms report that they develop what is known as Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) after giving birth vaginally. SUI is a bladder control issue. Urinary leakage may be brought on when the woman exercises, sneezes, coughs or even laughs. Most cases of SUI are treated non-surgically, but several studies suggest that a tummy tuck can help with SUI for some women.[4]

Correcting Umbilical and Ventral Hernias

Umbilical and ventral hernias can occur in both men and women who lose a great deal of weight. Patients who undergo a Cesarean section or an appendectomy may experience a ventral hernia, which occurs when abdominal tissue or an intestine breaks through the abdominal wall, forming a sack or pocket. These types of hernias often recur after traditional hernia repair, and so a surgeon may decide to perform an abdominoplasty while performing hernia repair surgery to strengthen the abdominal wall. 

Your Private Consultation with Dr. Ricardo Bonnor

Ricardo M. Bonnor, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, is a double board certified cosmetic surgeon who creates beautiful, natural results. Read all of our positive reviews to see our patients’ stories of transformation.

Schedule a consultation with our courteous and professional staff. Call us at (281) 579-5638.  

At Texas Surgical Arts,  Dr. Bonnor will perform intense liposuction along with a Tummy Tuck in order to more precisely sculpt and contour the waist, lower back, and to flatten the abdomen. An often overlooked but important hallmark of well performed abdominoplasty is the creation of a natural looking belly button.   A great deal of emphasis is placed on the reconstruction of the belly button providing a feminine and natural attractive result.

Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions

What about aftercare?

Dr. Bonnor places his recovering patients in a compression garment to reduce swelling and encourage safe healing. Your stitches will be removed within the first two weeks. Pain, tightness and bruising of the affected area are common and to be expected.
We recommend you entreat the assistance of a dear friend or loved one during your initial recovery. Your range of motion will be limited. Emotional support is important, too. Your “recovery buddy” can help motivate you to stand up and move about regularly, which will increase circulation.

What about my scar? 

The critical component in the length of your incision depends on how extensive a correction is desired. The goal is to hide the incision so you can easily wear a swimsuit or underwear. Dr Bonnor will provide scar care instructions in order to help you heal so that your incision is flat and thin and blends well with your natural skin.

Can I get a Tummy Tuck with another surgery?

Many patients combine a tummy tuck with other procedures to achieve more dramatic results. During your consultation, Dr. Bonnor will discuss your concerns and goals in order to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan. Typically a tummy tuck is combined with liposuction in other areas of concerns such as the lower and upper back, bra line and thigh area. Breast augmentation can be performed which is known as a mommy makeover.

How Do I Sleep Comfortably After a Tummy Tuck?

After tummy tuck surgery, you will need to keep bent forward slightly at the waist for a couple of weeks. This is intended to protect the long, thin incision between the hip bones. Dr. Bonnor recommends that you lie in a recliner to get in the best sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery. Another good option is to place several pillows underneath your knees and under your head on the bed. 

Feel Good About the Way You Look

Trim down your belly for a sleeker silhouette with abdominoplasty by Dr. Bonnor at Texas Surgical Arts. Our welcoming offices and our professional staff will be there to greet you when you’re ready to take action.  

References 

  1. Danilla, S. (2017). Rectus Abdominis Fat Transfer (RAFT) in Lipoabdominoplasty: A New Technique to Achieve Fitness Body Contour in Patients that Require Tummy Tuck. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 41(6), 1389–1399. doi: 10.1007/s00266-017-0909-9
  2. Najera, R. M., Asheld, W., Sayeed, S. M., & Glickman, L. T. (2011). Comparison of Seroma Formation following Abdominoplasty with or without Liposuction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 127(1), 417–422. doi: 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181f95763
  3. Maria S. Altieri, Jie Yang, Jihye Park, David Novikov, Lijuan Kang, Konstantinos Spaniolas, Andrew Bates, Mark Talamini, Aurora Pryor. Utilization of Body Contouring Procedures Following Weight Loss Surgery: A Study of 37,806 Patients. Obesity Surgery, 2017; DOI: 10.1007/s11695-017-2732-4
  4. Brito, M. J. A. D., Nahas, F. X., Bussolaro, R. A., Shinmyo, L. M., Barbosa, M. V. J., & Ferreira, L. M. (2012). Effects of Abdominoplasty on Female Sexuality: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9(3), 918–926. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02583.x