A tummy tuck is a contouring procedure designed to create a flatter, more toned abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. This surgery provides multiple cosmetic and functional benefits, but the transformation does not happen overnight. 

You owe it to yourself to learn what to expect if you are considering abdominoplasty, including what will happen to your navel as part of your customized surgical plan. 

What Does a Tummy Tuck Entail?

A full tummy tuck addresses issues resulting from pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging. It requires a horizontal incision across your lower abdomen, typically from hip to hip, just below your bikini line. Through this incision, Dr. Stephanie Teotia will remove excess skin and fat and tighten your abdominal muscles for a fit, toned appearance. If necessary, she will use liposuction to enhance your results. 

Dr. Teotia uses her expertise as a board-certified plastic surgeon to create outstanding results with a more comfortable recovery. Her commitment to ongoing education and patient satisfaction inspires her to stay abreast of advanced tummy tuck techniques. 

You will enjoy the following benefits by choosing to partner with Dr. Teotia for your Dallas tummy tuck.

• Improved appearance: A tummy tuck creates a smoother, firmer abdominal profile than you can attain with diet and exercise alone.
• Enhanced confidence: Many of Dr. Teotia’s patients report a significant boost in self-esteem.
• Reduction of stretch marks: The surgery can minimize the appearance of stretch marks, particularly those located below your navel.
• A tighter core: Repairing weakened or separated abdominal muscles can improve your posture and alleviate back pain. Most tummy tuck patients require an internal corset to move their muscles back into the correct position.

What are the Different Types of Abdominoplasty?

Standard Abdominoplasty

A standard abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, addresses excess skin and stretched muscles in the abdominal area. This procedure tightens and reshapes the abdominal wall by removing loose skin and tightening the underlying muscles, resulting in a smoother, firmer midsection.

Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty

The Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty is ideal for patients with significant skin laxity, particularly those who have lost a considerable amount of weight. This approach uses both vertical and horizontal incisions to remove excess skin and achieve a more tailored contour, which is especially beneficial for those with pronounced skin laxity in multiple directions.

Extended Abdominoplasty

An extended abdominoplasty goes beyond the standard tummy tuck by addressing the abdominal area as well as the flanks and lower back. This procedure is ideal for patients who need more extensive contouring, often following significant weight loss, as it removes excess skin around the abdomen and sides for a more comprehensive result.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck, is suited for patients with a minimal amount of excess skin and muscle laxity, usually located below the navel. Unlike other techniques, this approach requires a smaller incision and focuses only on the lower abdomen. It is a less invasive option, but only a small portion of patients are true candidates, as it addresses a more limited area.

How a Tummy Tuck Affects Your Belly Button

Repositioning your navel is an essential part of achieving the most aesthetically appealing, natural-looking tummy tuck results. This process involves making an incision around the belly button, freeing it from the surrounding skin, then reattaching it through a new opening. Without this step, your belly button might appear too high, too low, or unusually shaped. This only applies to the standard tummy tuck, as the mini tummy tuck takes place below the belly button. 

Dr. Teotia will carefully plan your navel’s new position to ensure it looks proportional and aesthetically pleasing. This attention to detail is crucial for achieving outstanding outcomes.

Who Is a Good Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Ideal candidates are in good overall health, with realistic expectations about the results. A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure but a contouring surgery designed to help people with aesthetic and functional concerns they cannot correct through fitness and nutrition alone. Before undergoing this surgery, you should be at or near your target weight and not planning future pregnancies.  

What to Expect During Recovery

Everyone heals at a different rate after this procedure, depending on factors such as age and overall health. You should plan to take about two weeks off from work to rest and allow your body to adjust. You may need extra help with household chores throughout this period. 

Dr. Teotia encourages her tummy tuck patients to take gentle walks to improve circulation, which can speed recovery. However, please wait to resume more strenuous workouts until Dr. Teotia clears you to avoid disrupting your internal corset.    

While you recover, you can manage discomfort with prescription pain medications. You must follow all your provided postoperative care instructions, including caring for your incisions and drains and wearing a compression garment to reduce swelling. Complete healing can take several months, during which your results will gradually become more apparent as swelling and bruising resolve.

Your Partner for Outstanding Tummy Tuck Outcomes 

A tummy tuck can significantly enhance your appearance, renew your confidence, and create the firm, fit abdominal region you have always wanted. Preparing yourself for the changes to your body and self-image is the best way to ensure a successful procedure with satisfying outcomes.
Are you considering abdominoplasty? Dr. Teotia and her compassionate, all-female team look forward to starting a partnership with you. As a mother, Dr. Teotia understands the aesthetic concerns related to post-pregnancy and aging and provides a personalized approach based on a foundation of empathy. During your consultation, she will help you decide if a tummy tuck is an appropriate solution for your needs, goals, and preferences. Contact us to learn more.