Tummy Tuck in Dallas, TX
(Abdominoplasty)
Looking for a Tummy Tuck in Dallas, TX? You are not alone! Tummy Tucks are one of the most popular, and most commonly performed body contouring procedures in the US. Here in Dallas, the Tummy Tuck surgery is one of our specialties. Therefore, we have created this page to provide you with everything you need to know about the tummy tuck surgery. Including benefits, risks, costs, recovery process, and answers to the most common questions we get asked.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A Tummy Tuck (also known as Abdominoplasty) is a great surgical procedure indicated to improve the laxity in the skin and abdominal muscular wall. This is typical after pregnancy or weight loss, or bariatric surgery, in both men and women. The tummy tuck surgery involves removing the excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen, and surgically tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall.
How’s the Tummy Tuck performed?
A tummy tuck works by reshaping the abdomen. It is performed by Dr. Jennyfer F. Cocco, MD, who is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. First, excess fat is removed with liposuction. Next, excess skin is trimmed below the navel, leaving a scar near the pubic bone, hidden within the panty line. Then, the muscles in the abdominal wall are tightened by being sutured in the mid-line like a corset. The suture is cinched and this results in a smaller waist line and added firmness to the muscular wall. This is called Diastasis recti repair. Lastly, the navel is brought out through a new surgeon-made hole, with care to make it appear as natural as possible. This is called umbilicoplasty.
Dr. Cocco performs Tummy Tuck surgery at the Surgery Center of Texas. Which is an ambulatory plastic surgery center in Dallas / Plano, TX. Certified by the State of Texas and Medicare. The surgery itself takes less than 2 hours. However, tummy tucks are usually combined with other procedures which can significantly increase operative time, such as during a mommy makeover. The limit we hold ourselves to for safety reasons is within 6 hours under general anesthesia.
It’s best performed under general anesthesia provided by an anesthetist, at minimum. Be extremely careful if a surgeon offers a tummy tuck under local anesthetic. The trunk is a significantly large area that would require a dangerous amount of local anesthetic to numb to perform a tummy tuck.
Starting Price of a Tummy Tuck in Dallas, TX
How Much is a Tummy Tuck in Dallas, Texas?
Typically, the Tummy Tuck cost in Dallas, TX starts at $12,800 for the average procedure on a patient whose BMI is 25. The cost of a tummy tuck is highly variable. This is because the charges on the proposal are made considering the time it will take to contour the abdomen. Adding liposuction or any other adjunct body contouring procedures will increase the cost. Since the main point of the tummy tuck is to remove abdominal skin and fat, the costs will increase for patients with higher BMI. They may have more fat or a disproportionate amount of skin to remove. Therefore, we highly recommend requesting a consultation for a personalized evaluation. You will be receive a personalized cost proposal.
Can Tummy Tuck be Covered by Health Insurance?
As described on this page, this procedure is generally deemed a cosmetic surgery. Therefore, it’s not medically necessary by most health insurance companies. There are rare instances where parts of the procedure could be considered medically necessary such as repairing a non-reducible hernia in the abdomen or removing an enormous apron of skin that hangs more than 3 inches below the pubis. Lastly, since muscle repair has not been proven to help with back pain, tummy tucks to improve back pain are not covered by insurance at all.
Payment Plans and Tummy Tuck Financing Options
We offer advanced payment plans for this procedure and the terms depend on the overall cost of proposed surgery. All procedures must be fully paid off 10 business days before your scheduled surgery date. While we do not offer in-house financing, we recommend two third-party options for your convenience: Alphaeon and CareCredit. Both have easy-to-follow online applications, which you can access through the links provided below.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation Today!
Are you the ideal tummy tuck candidate?
Find out your BMI with our BMI calculator. Learn more about your BMI category and what you need to do to reach a healthy weight and be a good tummy tuck candidate.
- Underweight (BMI below 18.5) – Possibly a sign of malnutrition or a health condition. To achieve a healthy BMI, you should focus on a balanced diet with adequate nutrients and calories, and exercising to build muscle mass and gain weight in a healthy way. If you fall into this category, you may not be able to get treated.
- Healthy Weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9) – If you are in this category, you are the ideal candidate for this procedure! This is the ideal category to be in for overall health and wellness. It is important to maintain your weight by continuing to eat a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9) – Being overweight increases your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. To reach a healthy BMI, you should focus on making some lifestyle changes, such as making healthier food choices and getting more exercise. If you are in this category, you may not be a good candidate for a tummy tuck.
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) – Obesity greatly increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. To achieve a healthy BMI, you should focus on making significant lifestyle changes. Including a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and if needed, seeking professional help. In some cases, if you are in this category, Bariatric surgery may be a recommendation for you. If you are in this category, you are NOT a candidate for this procedure.
Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
30 year old woman, a mother of 3, seeking mommy makeover. She is 5’3”, 138 lbs, BMI is 24. She is shown before and 1 year after liposuction of abdomen midriff and flanks with fat transfer to buttocks (500cc each). Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) with rectus muscle diastasis repair and umbilicoplasty. She has stayed at her target weight, and it shows. Following postoperative instructions optimizes results and both the patient and her surgeon end up content.
37 year old woman, a mother of 3, seeking mommy makeover. She is 4’11”, 123 lbs, BMI is 25. She is shown before and 1 year after liposuction of the abdomen, waist and flanks with transfer of fat to the buttocks (350cc each). Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with repair of diastasis of the rectus muscle and umbilicoplasty. She has maintained her desired weight and it shows. Both the patient and her surgeon are pleased with the results of following the post-operative instructions.
34 year old woman seeking mommy makeover. She is a mother of mother of 3, and is 5’2”, 139 lbs, BMI is 25. Shown before and 2 years after liposuction of abdomen midriff and flanks with fat transfer to buttocks (350cc each). Abdominoplasty with rectus muscle diastasis repair and umbilicoplasty. She has stayed at her target weight, and it shows. Following the post-operative instructions optimizes the results and makes both the patient and her surgeon happy.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for a Tummy Tuck Surgery?
The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck procedure is a patient who has finished losing weight and has no further pregnancies planned. In our opinion the best results are seen when the patients have a BMI of 22- 23. At Cocco Clinique MD, we encourage patients to come as close to a BMI of 25 as possible and for safety reasons, we rarely perform a tummy tuck in patients with BMI above 30.
For more information regarding BMI, visit our blog where we specifically talk about the importance of BMI and how affects the outcome of your surgery.
What to Expect During your Tummy Tuck Consultation
During consultation, Dr. Cocco will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your abdominal anatomy and discuss your aesthetic goals to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. Dr. Cocco will meticulously evaluate the degree of excess skin, adipose tissue, and the integrity of the abdominal musculature. Understanding that each individual presents with unique anatomical considerations, she will tailor her surgical plan to address diastasis recti, excess skin, and unwanted fat deposits, ensuring a result that harmonizes with your overall body contour. Dr. Cocco’s priority is to achieve outcomes that not only enhance your physical appearance but also bolster your self-confidence.
What are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck Procedure?
There are many benefits. The main benefit of having a tummy tuck is having a flatter tummy from losing the lower roll of skin and fat on the lower abdomen. The waistline will also be reduced by tightening the abdominal muscles. When everything heals properly, the abdominal skin will also appear youthful because it has been stretched downward. The most coveted reward of an abdominoplasty is the ability to wear a two-piece bathing suit, especially when the belly button scar was well concealed during the tummy tuck.
Different Types of Tummy Tucks
A Tummy Tuck is often referred to as its corresponding medical term: Abdominoplasty. The different variations are related to the length of the incision. For example,
- A mini tummy tuck is indicated when someone has very little excess skin and the scar will be relatively short,just a few inches longer than the one left by a C-section.
- The standard tummy tuck (of a full tummy tuck) scar measures from hip bone to hip bone.
- The extended tummy tuck incision and scarring will be extended towards the flanks or hips.
- A circumferential tummy tuck in which the scar will go all around the body. This is also commonly known as a belt tummy tuck, or belt lipectomy, or circumferential abdominoplasty.
- And lastly, there is an entity known as fleur-de-lis tummy tuck where skin is removed both from the lower abdomen and vertically along the midline around the belly button. This will result in two long scars, one: horizontally low near the pubis, and two: vertically extending from below the ribcage down the midline to meet with the horizontal scar.
Drainless Tummy Tucks
Dr. Cocco does not use drains 99% of the time and if she ever did, they would exit out of the incision itself, not from intact skin areas such as the flanks or pubis which could be potentially more painful.
Where does all the fluid go during a drainless tummy tuck? The key is in the closing technique. The skin that was displaced downward is quilted in a way that significantly reduces friction which results in decreased serous fluid production. So, no need for drains after tummy tuck!
What Other Procedures are Involved During a Tummy Tuck?
There a variety of procedures that can be done in conjunction with an abdominoplasty. The most common are Liposuction (with or without fat transfer, also known as BBL), or a Mommy MakeOver which can add Breast augmentation and/or Breast Lift. We can also do genital surgery such as Labiaplasty and Vaginal tightening. Nevertheless, in theory, any procedure lasting less than about 4 hours could be added to the 2-hour tummy tuck in order to stay within our safety limit of 6 hours of operation time.
Can Men Benefit from a Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Definitely! A tummy tuck may benefit men who have lost a significant amount of weight after dieting or bariatric surgery. Massive weight gain and loss usually causes in significant loose skin in the abdomen. Sometimes, even 30 lbs of weight loss can create enough laxity to cause skin redundancy that someone can remove. The only difference is that most men do not have diastasis, meaning they do not require their abdominal muscles to be cinched because the weight gain was global and not concentrated in one general area such as during pregnancy.
Is Tummy Tuck the Best Treatment for Stretch Marks?
Yes and no. While the stretch marks on the lower abdomen will be completely removed during an abdominoplasty, all the stretch marks above the belly button will remain intact in place. However, the benefit will be the remaining stretch marks could be lowered enough to be covered by high riding under-garments, in most cases.
How to Prepare for your Surgery
To ensure a safe and successful tummy tuck procedure, you will need to carefully follow the pre-operative instructions provided by Dr. Cocco and her team. Preparation includes abstaining from smoking and avoiding certain medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements. It’s imperative to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery center and to assist you for at least the first night following surgery. Nutrition plays a critical role in healing; thus, maintaining a well-balanced diet and adequate hydration is essential. Dr. Cocco will also advise on specific lab tests or medical evaluations to confirm your fitness for surgery. Adherence to these guidelines will facilitate optimal recovery and enhance the overall outcome of your tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Time and Medications
The tummy tuck recovery is generally broken into stages. The first 24 to 48 hours after surgery we require having an adult companion constantly to supervise activities of daily living.
- For the first week or two and as pain and mobility improve, you will still need help by having someone oversee household activities and meals.
- By week three most people are able to do housework and housekeeping.
- We encourage abstaining from driving for about 2-3 weeks, and most definitely when not taking prescribed pain medication.
- No strenuous exercise, heavy lifting or straining for the first 6 weeks after surgery.
Postoperative massage is vital after an abdominoplasty; not just for lymphatic drainage, but also for blood circulation and steadfast healing. We will instruct you how to perform massages starting the day after surgery.
Prescribed medications after your abdominoplasty include an antibiotic, pain medication and a muscle relaxant to help with spasms after the diastasis muscle repair. The antibiotic should be taken until finished. The pain medication should be weaned as soon as possible and switch to over-the-counter medications such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. The muscle relaxant may be used sparingly for several weeks thereafter.
You do not need to buy a compression garment, we will supply exactly what you need for the first stage of recovery. We will also clear you to wear your faja or the garment of choice when appropriate.
Tummy Tuck Risks
Abdominoplasty complications, although infrequent, can include infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia, necessitating a comprehensive risk assessment before undergoing the procedure. As healthcare providers dedicated to the well-being of our patients, it is our responsibility to ensure they are fully informed of the potential risks associated with a tummy tuck. These complications are rare, but can have significant emotional and physical impacts on patients seeking betterment through this surgery.
Tummy Tuck Scars
People considering a tummy tuck should be aware that, despite the procedure’s benefits, it invariably results in a scar across the lower abdomen. This scar, while typically situated below the bikini line to be easily concealed by clothing, is a permanent mark of the surgery. It is important to understand that the size and visibility of the scar can vary based on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s ability to heal. In general, most abdominoplasty patients experience minimal scarring that is barely visible once healed.
Patients are encouraged to discuss scar management strategies with Dr. Cocco, as post-operative care is crucial for optimal healing. Silicone gel sheets, scar massage, and sun protection are commonly advised to enhance the appearance of the scar tissue as it matures. Dr. Cocco’s commitment to meticulous surgical techniques aims to minimize scarring, ensuring that the benefits of the abdominoplasty are not overshadowed by post-surgical marks.
Tummy Tuck Surgery FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is it called a tummy tuck?
If you can imagine the motion of tucking your shirt into your pants and then reenact pushing down the skin of the upper abdomen (or midriff) towards the pubis you will see that there is a significant excess of skin, essentially a roll, which can be pinched off. The tummy tuck procedure literally tucks the abdominal midriff down, removes the lower roll of skin, and the remaining stretched skin results in greatly improved contour.
Why is it called abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is a medical term. We all we all know what Abdomen is: the tummy. Plasty on the other hand, is derived from the Greek term: “Plastikos;” which means to mold or to shape. Abdominoplasty means reshaping of the tummy in medical terms.
If you think about it, the origin of the word plastic in “Plastic surgery,” means essentially: surgery performed to restore, reshape or recontour something in the human body!
What is an umbilicoplasty?
The umbilicus is the belly button. Plasty is the act of reshaping. The art of umbilicoplasty is creating a natural looking belly button. Pay close attention to surgeon’s results on their pictures after a tummy tuck.
Who else will be involved in my surgery?
If you’re getting your tummy tuck in Dallas, and chose Dr. Cocco as your provider, the list goes as follows:
- Consultant: who pre-qualifies you for the procedure in financial terms, while assuring making such important life decisions is right depending on your personal situation.
- Medical assistant: who takes your medical information necessary and guides you through the process before and after surgery.
- Nurses: who evaluate you before surgery and care for you during the immediate postoperative period.
- Anesthesiologist, anesthetist/CRNA: dedicated to safety, making sure you have adequate pain control and provide general anesthesia during the procedure.
- Surgical assistant: in charge of the instruments used during the surgery and directly assisting the surgeon in maneuvers during the procedure itself.
- Other surgery center ancillary staff. receptionist, sterilization, patient positioning, garment supplies, etc.
When will I see cosmetic results?
We counsel our patients that they will see the earliest results around 6 months after their surgery. This is because it takes a while to tone and recondition after the initial recovery period which lacks exercise and all strenuous activities.
What are the most common reasons to get a Tummy Tuck?
The answer could be as simple as to improve self-esteem But it could also be as complex as requiring a book to describe all the different reasons to get a tummy tuck from a patient’s perspective. We can confidently say we have never heard of a single patient regret having undergone this life-changing procedure.
Can a Tummy Tuck be combined with C-section?
Combining this procedure with a C-section is not recommended. The female body has accumulated a significant amount of fat in anticipation of breastfeeding and the cosmetic results would not be optimal. We recommend breastfeeding and begin exercising as soon as the obstetrician approves in order to lose weight closest to ideal body weight before seeking a tummy tuck consultation with our Dallas plastic surgeon.
Can it be combined with hysterectomy?
Technically yes, you could have a tummy tuck combined with hysterectomy. However, this combination has proven to have a higher risk of infection and is therefore not ideal. Also, in our practice situation in Dallas TX, a hysterectomy would have to be performed at a hospital which is often cost-prohibitive.
Who should perform a Tummy Tuck procedure?
The Abdominoplasty should be performed by a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon near you. Specifically, those board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. We place emphasis on the word plastic surgeon because they are different from Cosmetic Surgeons. Legally, any medical doctor with an MD or DO degree could perform a tummy tuck as a cosmetic procedure, but do you want your surgeon to meet the minimum required to do it? Or, do you want the most qualified surgeon to do your tummy tuck? Plastic surgeons were medical students who had to be ranked at the top 10 percentile of U.S. medical schools to get into an American PLASTIC SURGERY residency. Then, residency lasted anywhere from 6-8 years where they took care of the most complex of reconstructions, to rotating with some of the best plastic surgeons in the country.
Do your homework! For more information on what qualifications you should look for in a surgeon, see what the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends. Additionally, visit our blog to learn more about the different procedures we offer, latest trends and helpful tips.
How long does a Tummy Tuck last?
The results should last forever as long as maintenance recommendations are followed.
Schedule your Consultation for a Tummy Tuck in Dallas, TX
If you are ready for your tummy tuck consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cocco.