Dallas Tummy Tuck

Pregnancy, aging, and major weight fluctuations can often leave individuals with stretched-out abdominal muscles and loose, sagging skin in the midsection. At the practice of David E. Morales, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Dallas, tummy tuck surgery can help a person achieve a flatter, better-contoured abdomen. A fluent English and Spanish speaker, Dr. Morales welcomes patients from the surrounding areas, including Fort Worth.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Your Abdominoplasty

You’re trying to do all the right things. You eat right, exercise and do your sit-ups. Yet, no matter how much you try, your belly still doesn’t look flat. The muscles feel strong, but that belly bulge won’t go away. What’s going on?

Abdominal laxity and bulging is related not only the skin and fatty tissue, but also the muscles underneath. The abdominal muscles that help you do your sit-ups, also help hold your belly in and support your back. Fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, and previous surgeries can cause your abdominal muscles to become weak, damaged and stretched apart. When the muscles separate from each other, it causes the bulging belly you see on the outside. It is not a hernia, or a hole in your belly wall, just an overstretching and looseness that needs be repaired. Sit-ups make your abdominal muscles stronger, but doesn’t get them back together.

This is where abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery comes in. Tummy tucks not only remove the excess loose skin and fat on your belly, they also allow us to tighten and bring your abdominal muscles back together, so you look flat again. This is why tummy tucks are so powerful.

Types of Tummy Tucks

Tummy tucks come in different variations, depending on your need. If you have but a small amount of loose skin, and minimal to no muscle separation, then a mini-tummy tuck, with a shorter scar and a faster recovery may be all you need.

Mini-Tummy Tuck: If you’re in good shape with minimal excess skin laxity but your muscles are stretched out, often a short scar abdominoplasty, not much longer than a C-section scar can be used to correct your belly issue.

Standard Tummy Tuck: If you have the typical moderate excess weight and laxity of your muscle wall, then a standard tummy tuck is your solution.

Extended Tummy Tuck or Circumferential Tummy Tuck: If you have lost a tremendous amount of weight then tummy tucks can be extended further around the waistline to address laxity on the sides and backside as well. For example, many successful dieters, lap band and gastric bypass surgery patients have so much deflated loose skin all the way around, that a circumferential tummy tuck or body lift is the best option.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Whatever your needs happen to be, a tummy tuck can be tailored to your specific problem. Tummy tuck surgery recovery times vary. A mini-tummy tuck recovery is often a day surgery with a 7-10 days recovery. Standard procedures commonly require you spend one night in the hospital and recovery in 2 weeks. Full exercise can be resumed at about 6 weeks. Recovery is similar for extended or circumferential tummy tucks.

However time off from work is often 2 weeks or less and no matter which surgery you are having, you are up and mobile on the first day.

Tummy Tucks and Other Surgeries.

Other procedures can be combined safely with a tummy tuck to achieve an overall improvement and minimize time off from work and costs. In order attain an even more contoured figure, you may wish to undergo liposuction ("lipoplasty") along with either of the tummy tuck procedures. During liposuction, Dr. Morales would use a long metal rod called a cannula, in order to remove fat cells from the target area. This can produce a more sculpted abdominal region. Further details regarding your options will be discussed during a consultation. Often patients elect to contour their flanks or thighs to get rid of that "muffin top" or those "saddle bags."

Breast lifts and breast augmentations are also commonly added to tummy tuck procedures, as well as any number of smaller facial procedures.

For more information about combining surgeries, visit my page on Mommy Makeovers. We will work with you to design a safe surgical plan to achieve the results you are striving for.

Examples of patient results are available in before and after tummy tuck photos, and educational videos provide information and additional images. You may gain insight to the care given at Dr. Morales' practice by reading patient testimonials.

At his Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW, TX) practice, abdominoplasty surgeon Dr. Morales strives to provide patients with individualized attention and an unwavering focus on every detail of their care. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). With more than 10 years of experience, Dr. Morales has the knowledge to help you achieve your desired outcome.

At Dr. Morales' Dallas plastic surgery clinic, a friendly, service-oriented environment awaits you. Our leading surgeon is often seen speaking with patients in Spanish, adding to the array of his capabilities which benefit his patients.

If you are in Dallas, TX, and seek tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Morales is an excellent choice to consider. He offers a free consultation to those who would like to learn more. Call our office for details!

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Morales, you may contact us at (214) 827-8407. We are looking forward to your call!