A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from your midsection to produce a slim and sculpted appearance. Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Rai can also use this body contouring procedure to tighten abdominal muscles, further defining hips and waist, and producing a firm and tight midsection.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your abdominal area, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center online or by calling 972-566-6500 to schedule your consultation today. Based in Dallas, Dr. Rai serves all surrounding Texas communities.
Ideal candidates for this procedure should be in generally good health and close to their ideal weight. As with all body contouring procedures, this is not intended as a weight loss method, but rather as a way to tone and tighten your body after weight has been lost.
In addition to being in generally good health, ideal candidates for a tummy tuck should be:
Abdominoplasty is more invasive than liposuction as it involves the excision of skin and the tightening of the underlying muscle. However, when you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck, it can produce long-term results that greatly improve your appearance, physical abilities, and overall health.
Tummy Tuck is EXACTLY what the name implies. It tucks up the tummy. However, tuck is just one dimension of abdominoplasty. Abdominoplastylives for a higher purpose. It aims to beautify the tummy beyond just providing a tuck. Abdominoplasty looks at the bigger picture. It not only tucks the tummy it aims to make it flatter, curvaceous, and overall better than just a tuck.
Tummy Tuck is often an important part of abdominoplasty in women who seek it after having babies as part of a mommy makeover or after weight loss. However, it is not all of the abdominoplasties.
However, abdominoplasty can be done without tucking in other situations, for example:
Patients who want to get rid of unwanted scars in the lower abdomen. Such scarring may result from burn injury or other surgical operations where such scars have been left behind on the abdomen.
We encounter later situations in patients who have had exploratory cancer surgeries. Such surgeries often need up and down incisions. These leave behind corresponding abdominal scars.
Most beneficiaries are those who have gone through pregnancies. As a result of carrying babies, the abdominal wall has stretched, the skin has also stretched and there are perhaps stretch marks. A similar situation exists in patients who have lost weight.
A subset of patients need abdominoplasty because of scars on the abdomen from surgeries or healed burns.
The journey starts with a consultation with a qualified, experienced upfront plastic surgeon.
After consultation, there is the scheduling of the surgical date. Often there will be a preoperative visit with the surgeon. During this visit procedure is discussed again, all questions are answered, photos are taken and consent for surgery is signed. Needed prescriptions are given.
Most often it is an outpatient surgery. However, sometimes abdominoplasty is done in conjunction with other surgeries, such as hysterectomy or exploratory abdominal surgeries. In those situations, a hospital stay may be required.
A low abdominal incision is made in the lowest possible location that will allow the site of the belly button to reach down to it. The entire abdominal flap consisting of skin and fat is then rolled up all the way to the ribcage.
This requires detachment of the belly button from the skin layer.
Abdominal fascia (not the muscles) are tightened to tighten and flatten the tummy.
The skin and fat flap is rolled down over the muscle layer. Excess in it is trimmed. The goal is to remove all the tissue starting above the belly button to the incision down below.
The sides of the abdomen are liposuctioned to give a more defined waistline.
The abdominal flap is secured to the muscle layer with multiple stitches to eliminate empty space and stabilize the abdominal flap.
If space is adequately collapsed no drains are used.
If space still exists, it is prudent to use drains to avoid complications from fluid buildup.
Thus although drainless tummy tuck is often hyped it is not wise not to use drains when they are needed.
The abdominal incision is repaired.
The belly button is secured in its proper place.
An abdominal binder is applied and the operation is concluded.
Patients are encouraged to ambulate soon after surgery. They can sit in a chair or rest in bed. Showers are allowed from the second day onwards.
Stitches are removed in 7-10 days. Driving is permitted after 10-14 days. Light duties can be resumed in 2 weeks.
A light workout can be started in 4 weeks and can build up to a full workout in 8 weeks.
It takes up to six months to get the final figure after abdominoplasty. Scar keeps on improving for up to 18 months.
The key to success is always finding the right plastic surgeon before starting this journey and being realistic in your expectations
To get all of your questions answered about your tummy tuck procedure, call 972-566-6500 today to schedule your consultation with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Rai.
Dr. Rai will discuss the exact cost of your abdominoplasty procedure after a confidential consultation. However, the average range of tummy tuck costs at our Dallas office is between $6,500 and $7,500. This fee may vary depending on your specific needs. Our fees include Dr. Rai’s surgical fee, the facility fee (operating room), a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, post-surgical garments, and all follow-up visits. Dr. Rai offers payment and financing plans to keep tummy tuck costs affordable.
To find out which tummy tuck procedure is the right one to give you the body contours you want, call 972-566-6500 today to schedule your consultation with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Rai.
If you are considering Tummy Tuck in Texas, please contact our experienced board-certified Dallas plastic surgeon to schedule an initial consultation for your arm lift today. Dr. Rai offers arm lift surgery and other body contouring options to men and women living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
WOW! I can’t believe it was just a little over a month ago that I first inquired about a tummy tuck and here I sit 49 days later smaller than I have been in years. I am amazed every time I look in the mirror at what an incredible difference there is. It has only been 17 days since my surgery and I feel great! Every day that goes by I can see more and more of a difference. I just want to thank all of you. You are all truly wonderful people and you have made my experience a very pleasant one. I have been through several surgeries in the past and never have I had such care as I received from everyone at Dr. Rai’s office. I am now certain this is the very best decision I have ever made and I am so very glad that I choose Dr. Rai. I will very strongly recommend him to anyone and everyone I know that is considering any type of cosmetic surgery. Once again I want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for being such a group of truly gifted and wonderful people.
I came to see Dr. Rai and his staff because he was highly recommended by a close friend. From the moment that I first visited his office and spoke to him about my concerns, I knew I was in the right place. Dr. Rai took lots of time throughout the procedure, pre-op and post-op to ensure that my questions were answered and that I knew everything that I needed to know. Dr. Rai and his staff educated me and stressed the follow-up care and were always available to help me with any questions or concerns. I felt extremely comfortable and safe knowing I would be taken care of very well. Dr. Rai called me personally every day to check on me and came by my hotel room to check on my healing process.
My results are phenomenal and the quality of care I received was astonishing. The physical effects of giving birth to two children have been erased. There are some aspects of your body that you yourself can improve, but others that need help enhancing by the right doctor. Dr. Rai is an extremely talented doctor and truly skilled in his craft. He is honest and straightforward with his approach so as to provide realistic results and prevent false hopes.
I highly recommend Dr. Rai to anyone who wants a kind, warm and gifted surgeon. His staff is phenomenal. I always felt welcomed and when I would call with questions they showed the utmost patience and professionalism. My experience at Cosmetic Surgical Center has been wonderful from day one. Dr. Rai and his staff are the ‘BEST OF THE BEST!’
by K.K.
Dr. Rai is amazing! I consulted with 3 other top DFW cosmetic surgeons. I felt at ease upon meeting Dr. Rai. His plan was one of the most conservative of all the consults and I couldn’t be more pleased with my result! I had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction. Dr. Rai is truly an artist. He is warm, caring, and genuine.
by L.N.
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Your Tummy Tuck will be performed at the Cosmetic Surgical Center by Dr. Rai in Dallas, TX.
*individual Results May Vary
*individual Results May Vary
*individual Results May Vary
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