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Tummy Tuck

If you have struggled to achieve a slender and defined abdominal contour through diet and exercise, tummy tuck surgery may be right for you. Men and women can begin to experience abdominal laxity following weight loss, as they age, or after pregnancy. While a healthy lifestyle can eliminate fat, some patients see no improvement in the elasticity of their abdominal skin and muscles. Tummy tuck surgery contours and tightens the abdominal area for an improved physique.

Do You Desire...

  • A toned abdominal appearance
  • Enhanced abdominal definition
  • A sleeker waistline
  • A more lean physique

Preparing for Your Tummy Tuck

Men and women considering tummy tuck surgery should be in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. Tummy tuck surgery is not a weight-loss procedure; patients who are at or close to their ideal body weight will achieve optimal results. You shouldn’t smoke for six weeks prior to your surgery. Do not shave your treatment area before your procedure because open pores have an increased risk of becoming infected. Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before your procedure. It is recommended that you follow a light diet and drink plenty of fluids for one week prior to the procedure to avoid abdominal bloating and constipation that could negatively impact your postoperative period and results.

Post-Pregnancy

  • The rapid expansion of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy can leave you with a loose abdominal pooch
  • For many women, the stretching of the abdominal muscles is permanent and cannot be corrected through diet and exercise
  • Restoring the look of their pre-pregnancy body is essential in helping women feel confident following childbirth

After Weight Loss

  • Sudden or dramatic weight loss can leave you with an excess accumulation of skin around the abdomen
  • This skin may prevent you from having the abdominal contour you have worked hard to achieve
  • For some patients, excess skin causes painful irritation, and a tummy tuck provides relief from this discomfort

Age-Related Laxity

  • Skin and muscle can lose elasticity during the natural aging process
  • Patients may seek a tummy tuck to restore a firm and youthful abdominal contour
  • The extent of skin sagging will vary between patients depending on lifestyle factors and genetics

Full Tummy Tuck

  • The full tummy tuck allows the entire abdomen to be smoothed
  • A full tummy tuck can improve excess skin, loose abdominal muscles, and stretch marks on the lower abdomen
  • A full tummy tuck is performed by creating an incision along the lowest part of the abdomen.

Mini Tummy Tuck

  • The ideal approach for patients with localized fat and skin below the navel
  • Incisions are placed only along the lower abdomen, leaving the belly button untouched
  • Reserved for patients without upper abdominal laxity

Extended Tummy Tuck

  • Ideal for patients following significant weight loss
  • Utilizes a longer incision that extends along the lower abdomen, around the hips, and if needed, along the lower back
  • Improves the abdomen as well as the waistline and tightens your lateral thighs and buttocks

Liposuction

Liposuction may be combined with any tummy tuck technique to further enhance your abdominal definition. Some patients have excess fat around their waistline in addition to the unwanted skin. Liposuction can provide you with the complete, quality results you desire.

Mommy Makeover

A tummy tuck can be performed as a part of the Mommy Makeover, which includes liposuction and breast enhancement procedures. The Mommy Makeover is specifically designed to treat the common problem areas following pregnancy. In a Mommy Makeover, the tummy tuck will restore the attractive appearance of the pre-pregnancy belly.

Thigh Lift

An inner, outer, or combination thigh lift is designed to restore a slimmer leg appearance. It is common for weight-loss patients to have excess, hanging skin from both their abdomen as well as their thighs. Combining these procedures ensures you achieve the sleeker body results you desire.

Lower Body Lift

The lower body lift includes a tummy tuck and is designed to tighten the lower body following weight loss. In addition to addressing the abdomen, the lower body lift improves the upper thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Faq

Tummy tuck surgery is performed using general anesthesia. This helps ensure a safe and painless procedure for the patient.

For several days, you will experience bruising and swelling of the abdomen. A special compression garment will be worn to facilitate the healing process. You will likely experience some swelling that may cause pain or discomfort, but this can be controlled using oral medication. At Southwest Plastic Surgery, we are happy to offer EXPAREL®, which is an anesthetic that lasts three days. The use of EXPAREL® has greatly reduced the amount of pain that patients experience after tummy tuck surgery. Most patients can return to work one week after their procedure but should avoid strenuous physical activities for up to four weeks. Within six weeks, the majority of swelling will subside and your final results will be visible.

Tummy tuck surgery is a routine and safe procedure, posing only mild risks. The most common of these are infection and excessive bleeding. Loss of skin sensation or the development of a seroma can occur, but these incidences are rare.

Dr. Agullo provides his patients with a special lotion designed to help fade any scars or marks that may be created during tummy tuck surgery. Patients who use bioCorneum® will see a visible improvement in the appearance of their scars.

The cost of tummy tuck surgery is determined on an individual basis. External fees and the extent of correction required for your procedure can affect the cost of your procedure. The cost a tummy tuck can range between $7,300 and $13,000.

Contact Us

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Southwest Plastic Surgery
1387 George Dieter
Dr. Bldg C301
El Paso, TX 79936
Tel: (915) 590 7900
Fax: (915) 590 7902
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The MedSpa Southwest Plastic Surgery West
5925 Silver Springs Dr.
Suite C
El Paso, TX 79912
Tel: (915)590-7907
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