Call Us Today to Get Started

Considering a tummy tuck procedure in Fort Worth? You’re not alone. Many women, in Fort Worth, Dallas, and beyond, are unhappy with their midsection due to loose skin, lax muscles, and fat deposits resulting in a pooching abdomen and poor waist definition. For some patients, these problems are inherited; others develop these concerns after weight loss and pregnancy. Diet and exercise can be helpful for losing weight and diminishing fat deposits, but they will not correct wrinkled, excess skin, stretch marks, and loose abdominal muscles. Additionally, many patients complain of localized fat deposits on their waist, hips, and thighs that are resistant to diet and exercise, no matter how dedicated to fitness the patient may be. There are several body contouring procedures available to make you look and feel like your true self.

smiling woman on beach swimsuit

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Most patients who see Dr. Steele for a tummy tuck have had several pregnancies. As a result, they are left with stretch marks and loose skin. Patients frequently combine an abdominoplasty procedure with breast augmentation as part of a mommy makeover. Additionally, many male patients or patients who have undergone significant weight loss could benefit from a stomach tuck as well. An abdominoplasty provides a variety of benefits including:

  • Removing excess, stretched-out skin
  • Flattening a bulging abdomen
  • Contouring the waistline to provide an hourglass figure
  • Repairing the abdominal muscles that have been stretched out from pregnancy and weight gain

Surgical Technique for a Tummy Tuck

An abdominoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. There are 3 main components of a tummy tuck: tightening of the abdominal muscles, removal of excess skin, and removal of excess fat around the waist and hip area. In almost all cases, Dr. Steele will combine liposuction for optimal contouring of the waist/hip region to obtain an hourglass figure. Dr. Steele designs his abdominoplasty incisions so that they are very low, allowing the incision to be covered by a variety of bathing suits and low-cut jeans. During a full stomach tuck, skin is removed from the upper and lower abdomen, the muscles are tightened, and the belly button is brought out with a second incision around the navel. In some patients with only a small amount of loose skin, a mini tummy tuck may be performed with a short incision just above the pubic area without the need to cut around the belly button.

Drain tubes are placed to minimize the risk of a fluid pocket and dissolvable sutures are placed and covered with tissue glue and sterile tapes. The patient is placed into a compression binder with foam pads and then switched to a compression garment (girdle) after a few days. You will be given antibiotics, pain pills, anti-nausea pills, muscle relaxants, and for some patients, blood thinning shots to cut down on the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

During and After a Tummy Tuck Surgery

Most patients can go home the same day, but in some cases an overnight stay may be required. Patients can generally return to work in 1-2 weeks. The abdomen will be quite tight for the first 1-2 weeks and the patient will generally be bent at the waist for 7-10 days. It is important to walk early to minimize the risk of blood clots. Cardio activity can be resumed at 4 weeks, with increased lifting activity (>10-15 pounds) at 6 weeks. Dr. Steele advises the patient to avoid vigorous core workouts (planks, crunches, etc.) for at least 2 months. Dr. Steele will provide optimal scar care instructions to give you the finest scar possible.

Dr. Steele and his staff are amazing. From the time they answer the phone to your final appointment they truly take care of you. I had a tummy tuck and am so happy with the results that I wish I had it done sooner. Dr. Steele expertise made me feel comfortable while Erica’s (his nurse) knowledge of the procedures are exceptional. I highly recommend Dr. Steele and his whole staff.

- Stayce Mcphail

Awards

award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image
award image

If you are ready to learn more about how an abdominoplasty can improve your look, you can request a consultation online with Dr. Steele or call our office. We serve patients in Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding communities. We are also happy to welcome patients who wish to travel from outside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Request Consultation
img
Case #1
This 31-year-old West Texas mother of 2 children desired body contouring to remove excess skin and fat on her abdomen and waist…
See All
img
Case #2
This 31-year-old West Texas mother of 2 children desired body contouring to remove excess skin and fat on her abdomen and waist…
See All
img
Case #3
This 37-year-old Fort Worth mother of 3 children desired a flatter, tighter abdomen after her pregnancies. She sought…
See All

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?

Liposuction removes fat below the skin to improve contour. It does not improve excess skin or stretch marks. An abdominoplasty procedure does several things:

  • Removes some fat from the midsection
  • Removes excess, loose/stretched-out skin
  • Tightens the abdominal muscles which helps flatten the abdomen when viewed from the side and helps narrow the waist when viewed from the front.
  • Redistributes the skin from the upper abdomen to the lower abdomen. This tightens the skin and helps thin the fat layer of the abdomen as well.

A Fort Worth tummy tuck will reverse the changes of pregnancy and weight loss, while awake liposuction is useful for removing fat from isolated areas. In order to get a good result with liposuction, the patient should be close to an ideal weight and have good skin tone. If liposuction is performed in an area without good skin tone (lots of stretch marks), the patient will very likely be left with loose skin that does not contract or shrink down.

Contact Our Office

    First Name

    Last Name

    Email Address

    Phone Number

    Procedures of Interest

    Message