Abdominoplasty in Fort Worth

Abdominoplasty

Many people strive for a toned, flat abdomen, but diet and exercise aren’t always enough to achieve the desired results. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, aging, loose skin, and weakened abdominal muscles can make it difficult to regain a firm midsection. 

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fatty tissue in the abdomen. At New Leaf Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Fort Worth, abdominoplasty is the choice of mothers after pregnancy and adults after significant weight loss.

What Is Abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic procedure that excises loose skin and tissue to slim the waistline. It targets the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall muscles.

Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss treatment. Overweight individuals who intend to lose weight should postpone all forms of body contouring surgery until they have reached a stable weight for at least six months.

Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini Tummy Tuck

Different variations of abdominoplasty can be performed. The mini abdominoplasty utilizes a short incision in the lower abdominal area. It can involve tightening the lower abdomen muscles and removing loose skin.

Some liposuction may be done for additional contouring. The mini tummy tuck can be good for patients with minimal excess skin and minor muscle laxity in the lower abdomen.

Traditional Tummy Tuck

A traditional tummy tuck removes excess skin from the belly button down. This requires a larger incision that usually runs hip to hip. The belly button is brought out through a new hole, and the upper and lower abdomen muscles are tightened along with some liposuction. 

A traditional tummy tuck is good for patients with excess upper and lower abdomen skin with laxity of the upper and lower abdominal wall.

View Abdominoplasty Gallery

Lower Body Lift

An abdominoplasty is also performed as part of a circumferential lower body lift. This procedure is performed in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have skin laxity in the upper and lower abdomen, laxity of the muscles of the upper and lower abdomen, and excess skin in the flanks and back.

A circumferential lower body lift eliminates excess skin from the belly button down, flanks, and back. The upper and lower abdomen muscles can be tightened, and the belly button can be repositioned to complement your new shape.

Dr. Lovelace will perform a personal consultation with you to determine which type of abdominoplasty is right for you. The consultation is held at our office in Fort Worth, which is conveniently located to serve Southlake, Keller, Argyle, and Mansfield.

Am I a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty may be a great option if you:

  • Have excess abdominal skin due to pregnancy or weight loss
  • Struggle with stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise
  • Experience weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
  • Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations

Many individuals choose to combine a tummy tuck with other procedures like liposuction or as part of a mommy makeover in Fort Worth to enhance their overall results.

What to Expect During Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take two to four hours. 

A full abdominoplasty involves an incision along the lower abdomen, through which Dr. Lovelace tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat. The remaining skin is then repositioned for a firmer, more toned appearance.

In some cases, liposuction may be used to refine the contours further. The procedure is highly individualized, and Dr. Lovelace will personalize the approach based on your unique needs and aesthetic goals.

Abdominoplasty Recovery

Recovery time varies from person to person, but most patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort during the first week. Prescription pain medication and proper post-operative care help manage these symptoms.

Sutures that are placed are usually dissolvable and will not need to be removed. You will likely have drains that will stay in place for one to two weeks. These drains help prevent hematomas and seromas.

You will be placed in a compression garment after your surgery and told to wear this at all times for eight weeks and then only at night as long as tolerated. You will be expected to start walking immediately after surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots.

On average, patients return to light-duty work a week after surgery. You can return to non-strenuous activity approximately one to two weeks after surgery. 

Strenuous activity will be allowed without restrictions for approximately eight weeks after surgery. Scars will flatten and fade between three months and two years after surgery.

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck offers both cosmetic and functional benefits. By eliminating excess skin, it creates a smoother, more sculpted midsection, helping many patients feel more confident in fitted clothing and swimwear.

Beyond aesthetics, this procedure can also strengthen the core and enhance body contours. In addition to boosting confidence, it may provide medical benefits, such as improved posture and relief from lower back pain.

For some patients, abdominoplasty can even help address issues like skin irritation caused by excess folds or stress urinary incontinence, making it a transformative procedure in more ways than one.

How Much Does Abdominoplasty Cost?

The cost of a tummy tuck in Fort Worth varies based on factors such as the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia fees, and surgeon expertise. During your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed breakdown of costs, including financing options available to help you plan for your procedure.

Why Choose New Leaf Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

Choosing the right surgeon achieves the best results. At New Leaf Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Lovelace and our experienced team prioritize patient safety and satisfaction. 

We take the time to understand your goals and provide personalized recommendations for excellent results. Our commitment to advanced surgical techniques and inclusive post-operative care offers a smooth experience from consultation to recovery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re considering abdominoplasty in Fort Worth, TX, Dr. Lovelace and our team are here to help. Contact New Leaf Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation and achieve a firmer, more sculpted abdomen.

Our office is conveniently located to serve Southlake, Keller, Argyle, and Mansfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

In general, an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck involves moderate discomfort. However, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, meaning patients will be unconscious throughout the procedure.
Surgery will be approximately two to five hours as determined on a case-by-case basis. Typically, this is done as an outpatient procedure, but an overnight stay may be necessary, and Dr. Lovelace will determine if it is necessary.
You should not take any blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for a week before your procedure and hold all over-the-counter supplements a week before surgery. This will help reduce the risk of bleeding intraoperatively and post-operative hematoma (blood collection). If your cardiologist or primary care physician prescribes blood thinners for you, you should get clearance from them to keep these medications before they are discontinued. You should hold all hormones six weeks before surgery. Birth control pills should be held six weeks before surgery as well. Of course, you should make sure to use alternative forms of birth control during and after this time. Hormones and birth control pills put you at a higher risk of blood clots. These clots can go to your lungs and cause serious illness or even death. We call this a pulmonary embolus. Steroids should be weaned off at least a month before your surgery, and this weaning process should be set up and cleared by your prescribing physician. Dr. Lovelace and the staff at their Fort Worth office will review your list of medications and let you know what exactly you need to do with them pre-operatively. Make sure that you bring all of your medications with you to your consultation. You will usually be given your prescriptions for your post-operative medication on your pre-operative visit so that they can be filled and at your house when you get home from surgery.
Depending on your age and medical issues, Dr. Lovelace and her staff will set you up with your primary care physician, cardiologist, etc., for clearance before surgery. Any necessary labs, EKGs, or chest X-rays will be done then. If any hernias are suspected, she may also want to get a CT scan pre-operatively.
As with any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck carries some risks, but these are minimized through careful planning and expert surgical care. Potential risks may include bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma, seroma, need for drains, asymmetry, poor cosmesis, need for further surgery, dog ears, contour irregularities, fat necrosis, dehiscence, intra-abdominal/intrathoracic injury, bowel injury, laxity of skin over time, umbilical/skin necrosis, umbilical malposition, numbness/hypersensation, nerve/vessel/muscle injury, persistent edema, cardiac/pulmonary/stroke/DVT/PE events, etc. Our team takes every precaution to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome. During your consultation, we will discuss these risks in detail and provide personalized recommendations to support a smooth recovery.
 

“Dr. Lovelace is the most exceptional surgeon”

5 5 Star Rating

 

Dr. Lovelace is the most exceptional surgeon. I had weight loss surgery 2 years ago and needed several skin removal and breast surgeries, came to Dr. Lovelace for 3 separate surgeries so far, thigh lift, full tummy tuck, and breast augmentation/lift. Face lift next on the list. She has even called me on a weekend to check on me which most physicians/surgeons never do. Her and her staff are just incredible, all are very knowledgeable, friendly, and very supportive in your endeavor she takes her time with every patient never makes you feel pushed out the door, all questions are answered. Her office is clean, cheerful, and very easy to find and access. I feel like family/close friend to her and her staff over the year long processes I have been through with her. Her work she did is exceptional, she helped me in every way possible and made me feel whole again and l absolutely would recommend her to anyone having any type of work done. She is an amazing surgeon, love her and her skills. Dr. Lovelace came highly recommended to me, and she will be highly recommended by me as well. You will never go wrong with Dr. Lovelace

by Rob and Amy G.