TUMMY TUCKS AKA ABDOMINOPLASTY

Let’s talk about another very popular surgery of Dr. Derrick’s–the tummy tuck a.k.a. abdominoplasty. Patients LOVE their results from tummy tuck surgery–that flat stomach makes a comeback, which is such a difficult area for people to tone and tighten to the level she/he desires (impossible for some with diastasis recti, more on that in a moment). Who doesn’t desire a flat, toned stomach?

What exactly is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure where the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess skin and fat tissue are removed. Commonly performed after having children or losing weight.

*Now it is very important to note that for the BEST results, it’s key to be as close to your ideal weight as possible BEFORE surgery. Yes, depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed, weight loss can occur with surgery, but a tummy tuck is not intended for weight loss. It is intended to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin and tissue.*

What is diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti is separation of the abdominal muscles, those six-pack muscles, due to pregnancy. Diastasis recti is the “coning” or pushing out of the stomach that some postpartum mothers experience. For some women, the coning or pushing out of the stomach is there even years after childbirth. Many patients complain that they still look pregnant despite exercise and a healthy diet. Now, diastasis recti can be helped with certain physical exercises, but it cannot be fixed, that is where a tummy tuck is needed to surgically adhere the muscles back together.

How big is a tummy tuck incision?

The incision for a tummy tuck can be a few inches long (a “mini tummy tuck”), hip to hip, or even an extended tummy tuck that can begin to wrap around the sides. It all depends on the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. Typically for tummy tucks due to child bearing, the incision size is smaller, from hip to hip or a few inches for the mini. After significant or massive weight loss, a tummy tuck incision will be larger since there is more skin to remove to create the ideal silhouette.

I find it of the utmost importance to add that there is NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL for a tummy tuck procedure. You need to be a partner with your surgeon to determine what your goals are for your body after.

Feel free to send in your questions and comments. Happy to answer any questions!

-Dr. D

Dr. Derrick sees patients in the DFW area including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and Richardson. He also has an office in Sherman, serving the Texoma region. He is a highly sought after award-winning plastic surgeon.