Abdominoplasty – Tummy Tuck Surgery in Dallas with Dr. Bryan Armijo
Tummy tuck surgery, medically known as abdominoplasty, restores lean, flat stomach contours. This procedure is generally used to help patients who have loose skin, rather than just excess fat, around their midsection. At various facilities in the Dallas and surrounding areas, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryan Armijo performs tummy tuck surgery on patients whose stomachs have changed due to pregnancy, weight gain and loss, or normal aging.
How is Abdominoplasty Performed?
Dr. Armijo personalizes every tummy tuck he performs to meet the patient’s individual needs. The abdominoplasty techniques he uses vary depending on whether the patient has just loose skin around the stomach, or a combination of loose skin, excess fat, and damaged abdominal muscles.
Patients who have only a moderate amount of loose skin and subcutaneous fat are generally good candidates for a modified form of abdominoplasty known as mini tummy tuck surgery. During mini tummy tuck surgery, only one incision is made along the bikini line, allowing Dr. Armijo to tighten the skin on the lower stomach and remove any excess skin. If necessary, he can also perform liposuction on the upper belly to remove unwanted fat.
Full tummy tuck surgery, on the other hand, is designed to address problems with both the upper and lower stomach. Standard abdominoplasty involves the placement of two incisions (one along the bikini line and another hidden within the navel); this technique permits the removal of excess skin and fat from both the upper and lower stomach. If the patient’s abdominal muscles have been damaged by pregnancy or past weight gain, Dr. Armijo will use self-dissolving sutures to repair internal structures.
What are the Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery can improve both your physical health and your confidence. Tummy tuck surgery has been shown to create the following improvements:
The stress of pregnancy and/or weight fluctuations may cause the abdominal muscles to separate, also known as Diastasis Recti. This separation gives the appearance of a rounded belly, no matter how strong the abdomen muscles may be. By repairing the abdominal muscles back to the midline, the abdomen becomes visibly flatter. Likewise, removing subcutaneous fat from the stomach makes it easier for patients to achieve visible abdominal muscle definition.
A ventral hernia is a painful condition where tissue protrudes through the abdominal wall. Though abdominal muscle weakness isn’t the only potential cause of ventral hernia, it can be a contributing factor. Repairing stretched or torn abdominal muscles is, therefore, an important part of safeguarding against hernias.
When the abdominal muscles are weak, the spine doesn’t receive adequate support. Over time, this causes the lower back to curve inwards at an unnatural angle, resulting in chronic lower back pain and posture problems. After abdominoplasty surgery, patients can effectively work on their core strength which may help put an end to back pain.
Loose skin around the midsection often creates a flabby look, even on patients who are quite slim. Weak abdominal muscles allow the organs to press forwards, which makes the belly look distended. No matter how much the patient diets or exercises, these frustrating problems don’t go away. After tummy tuck surgery, however, this loose skin is gone, leaving the belly firm, flat and sleek in appearance. This procedure also removes, and smooths stretch marks.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
The ideal tummy tuck candidate is healthy and has loose skin around their abdomen. Patients who have good skin elasticity but who want to remove excess belly fat may desire liposuction instead of abdominoplasty. Tummy tuck surgery is a great choice for people who have successfully lost a large amount of weight in the past. It’s also ideal for mothers who have loose skin and stretch marks left over after pregnancy.
Though tummy tuck surgery can sculpt flat, sleek stomach contours, it’s not a weight loss procedure. Before you arrange a tummy tuck consultation, you’ll need to be within about 20 pounds of your ideal weight. For safety reasons, plastic surgeons can only remove between five to ten pounds of fat during surgery; no surgical procedure can induce dramatic weight loss with one appointment. Still, patients often report that they look 20 pounds lighter after having a tummy tuck because they have lost inches off their waistline.
Dr. Armijo requires that all his abdominoplasty patients be current non-smokers. If you smoke, you’ll need to quit at least three weeks before and after your operation. Taking this step is essential because smoking interferes with the healing process, putting patients at greater risk of bleeding, infection, and other complications. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation aids if you need help quitting smoking to have surgery.
Tummy Tuck Recovery – What to Expect
Tummy tuck recovery can be brief, depending on the type of surgery you have. Patients who have mini tummy tuck surgery generally feel better after one to two weeks, whereas it can take two to three weeks to recover from a full tummy tuck. In both cases, patients generally need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for four to six weeks after their procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Armijo will discuss your personalized procedure plan and let you know what to expect while you heal.
Six weeks before you have surgery, we’ll provide you with a package that includes detailed postoperative instructions, pain medication, and other items to help you recover comfortably. Dr. Armijo will also meet with you regularly while you recover to keep track of your progress and address any concerns you have.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Our team is ready to help you with any questions you may have! Contact us to learn more about a procedure or to discuss the next steps. We look forward to meeting you.
Arrange a Tummy Tuck Consultation in Dallas, Texas with Dr. Armijo
Getting your body back in shape after pregnancy or weight loss is challenging, but tummy tuck surgery can help. As one of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute’s most experienced body contouring surgeons, Dr. Bryan Armijo has helped many people affected by loose abdominal skin reclaim a lean, youthful shape. To learn more about abdominoplasty, contact Dr. Armijo’s office at (214) 540-1434.