Dr. Sam Jejurikar is a specialist in cosmetic surgery at Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. He performs a high volume of mommy makeover surgery in Dallas, Plano, Frisco and the surrounding Texas communities.
Tummy Tuck
Mommy Makeover Dallas
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Allen, Texas. A “tummy tuck,” is a commonly performed surgical procedure used to reshape the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are in good shape with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded to traditional diet and exercise. Tummy tucks also benefit older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost its elasticity or who have a large amount of stretch marks.
Tummy tucks are particularly useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy. Results from a tummy tuck will diminish if women continue to bear children, so Dr. Jejurikar advises patients who plan to become pregnant to postpone this procedure until they are done having children. He also encourages patients who intend to lose a lot of weight to wait before undergoing the procedure, since skin in the abdominal area typically loosens and sags after substantial weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Tummy tucks take approximately two to four hours and are performed under general anesthesia. This procedure may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the complexity of surgery and Dr. Jejurikar’s recommendation.
Dr. Jejurikar will make two incisions: one from hipbone to hipbone close to the pubic area, and another around the navel. He will separate the skin from the abdominal muscles, which are then pulled together and stitched into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. The skin flap is then stretched down and over the newly tightened muscles, excess skin is removed, and the navel is reattached in a natural position. Finally, Dr. Jejurikar will close the incisions and apply surgical dressings over the sutured areas.
Sometimes, Dr. Jejurikar will combine tummy tuck with liposuction to enhance the results.
Recovery after Tummy Tuck
After surgery, compression garments are worn and a temporary drainage tube may be inserted under the skin to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. Recovery time ranges from two weeks to a few months. You should limit strenuous activities for at least six weeks, and may need to take off from work for up to two to three weeks.
Tummy Tuck Results
A tummy tuck leaves patients with a flatter, more toned abdominal area that fits the natural contours of your body. It can improve a patient’s appearance and confidence by helping them look and feel younger and slimmer. The results of this procedure are visible right away and will continue to improve. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, results are long-lasting. Scars will fade with time, leaving your stomach sleeker and more defined than ever before. A tummy tuck will leave a scar spanning the lower abdomen from hip to hip. Dr. Jejurikar is very careful to make the incision low enough for even a bikini to conceal the scar.
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery should know that their old scars could be raised, stretched or generally more noticeable after the tummy tuck procedure. A scar revision procedure after a tummy tuck can help minimize the appearance of unsightly scars.
Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jejurikar’s office for additional information, or call his office at 214.827.2814 to schedule an appointment. To see before and after photos, click here. For maps and directions to Dr. Jejurikar’s offices in Dallas and Plano, click here.