Have you ever looked at your abdomen and flanks and thought, “I’d sure like to have a better shape”? We all look in mirrors and pick out little things we might want to change about how we look.  If you’ve wondered about options for enhancing the look of your tummy, there are some great options.  A lot of people come to our Fort Worth plastic surgery office to learn about abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery.  It’s a surgical procedure that can result in dramatic improvements in shape, contour, and size of your abdomen.  Let’s talk about tummy tucks for a minute.

 

What Is Abdominoplasty?

Commonly called a tummy tuck, this procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region.  Many women are bothered by having extra skin hanging over a cesarean section scar.  Some women have lost 20 or more pounds and have loose skin.  Maybe they’ve had a few children and that resulted in stretched, loose skin.  An abdominoplasty removes this excess skin.  In most cases some muscles are tightened internally during the surgery.  Many people refer to this as an “internal girdle” because it helps flatten the tummy.

Tummy tucks are often combined with other procedures.  Many women also undergo breast contouring and shaping procedures at the same time.  When breast and body contouring procedures are combined, this is often referred to as a Mommy Makeover.  Breast lifts, breast augmentation, and breast reduction surgery are commonly done at the time of an abdominoplasty, depending on the woman’s findings and desires.

Who Can Get a Tummy Tuck?

To be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty, a person should be in generally good health and have some loose skin that they don’t like.  We’ve done tummy tucks on people in their 20’s to people in their 70’s.  A person who has had some heart issues or severe diabetes is probably not going to be a good candidate to undergo an abdominoplasty.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Recovery will vary from patient to patient.  However, almost all patients walk in a bent-over position for about 5 days.  They need help around their home, including help getting into and out of chairs and bed for the first few days.  Most people take about 3 weeks off from work, but some may require longer than that.  We have patients refrain from strenuous physical activities like pickleball and tennis for 6-8 weeks.

Schedule Your Appointment With Kelly R. Kunkel, M.D., P.A.

Abdominoplasty is a popular cosmetic procedure that can help improve the aesthetic appearance of your abdominal region. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck or want to know more, call Dr. Kelly R. Kunkel’s Fort Worth office at 817-335-5200. You can also book a consultation online.