Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve Fort Worth, TX
Pregnancy and weight loss can leave behind loose skin and weakened muscles that won’t respond to diet or exercise. A tummy tuck removes excess tissue and repairs your core, giving you a flatter, firmer stomach. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Strock regularly performs tummy tucks in Fort Worth for patients seeking a trimmer, more streamlined abdominal area.
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What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and fat from the abdomen. It also repairs stretched or separated abdominal muscles. The result is a flatter, more toned stomach that diet and exercise alone may not achieve. It is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia.
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are patients in good overall health. Patients must be non-smokers or must be willing to stop smoking for a few weeks before the tummy tuck. Smoking can cause skin health to decline, leading to an increased chance of complications and prolonging the healing process.
The best candidates for abdominoplasty have excess inelastic skin and fat in the abdominal area caused by significant weight loss. They also have sagging abdominal muscles. Patients who still have a lot of weight to lose, especially around the abdomen, might need to undergo a tummy tuck again after losing weight. As such, patients are advised to achieve and maintain their optimal body weight before applying for a tummy tuck.
Women who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth are often ideal candidates for a post-pregnancy tummy tuck. The skin grows during pregnancy to accommodate changes in the region, and after birth, it usually has trouble shrinking back to its original size, leading to sagging. Pregnancy also often results in diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is the technical term for a sagging of the abdominal wall muscles. Additionally, stubborn excess fat deposits may remain in the abdominal region after childbirth.
Good candidates also need to have realistic expectations about the procedure’s results.
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“I recommend Dr Strock and his staff”
“I felt like family with Dr Strock and his staff. I did a lot of research before choosing a surgeon and Dr Strock is the best around!!! I cannot be happier with my results and experience. His knowledge, professionalism and attention to detail assures you that you’re in good hands. I was in no pain after surgery and I am impressed on how little the incisions are. I recommend Dr Strock and his staff to family, friends and anyone looking for an excellent results and experience!!!”
Customizing Your Procedure
Dr. Strock performs your tummy tuck at Texas Health Surgery Center-Fort Worth Midtown. Tummy tuck procedures usually include at least some liposuction, along with direct surgical tightening of the deep abdominal wall, depending on your specific needs. The length of your incision is determined by your physical characteristics and, in part, by the amount and location of excess skin.
Mini vs. full tummy tuck
If you have tight skin but a lax abdominal wall, you may benefit from minimally invasive techniques with short incisions and minimal scarring. It is often called a mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty.
If you have larger areas of loose skin or stretch marks from multiple pregnancies, a full tummy tuck may be the most effective way to reshape your abdominal area. The incision is positioned low on the abdomen and planned around your clothing preferences, so it stays hidden beneath most swimsuits and everyday garments.
Most body contouring procedures, except for small areas of liposuction, are best performed under general anesthesia. If you undergo a mini tummy tuck, you will return home the day of surgery. Patients undergoing full abdominoplasty usually stay overnight for observation following the procedure and return home the following morning.
What happens during the tummy tuck surgery
Once the incision is made, Dr. Strock separates the skin from the abdominal wall up to the ribcage. It allows him to access the underlying muscles, which he tightens by suturing them together along the midline. This step is vital for repairing diastasis recti, a common condition in which the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy.
Next, he removes excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen. The remaining skin is gently pulled down and repositioned to achieve a smooth, natural contour. If your belly button has been displaced, Dr. Strock creates a new opening and repositions it to maintain a natural appearance. Finally, he closes the incisions with layered sutures and applies surgical dressings. The entire procedure typically takes two to three hours, depending on the extent of correction needed.
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The Tummy Tuck Recovery Process
Postoperative recovery entails a short period of activity restriction following the surgery and a pressure garment to be worn for about four weeks. Many tummy tuck patients will have surgical drains left in place for about a week to prevent the accumulation of fluid at the surgical site.
Tummy tuck patients are restricted from vigorous exercise for several weeks to allow for the deep abdominal wall repair to heal and stabilize completely. You will need to rest for the first week after surgery. Most patients return to light activity within two weeks. Swelling and bruising are normal and will fade over several weeks. Full recovery typically takes six to eight weeks, and the final results become visible after several months, once the swelling has resolved.
Aftercare tips for optimal healing that you can follow:
- Wear your compression garment as directed to reduce swelling and support healing
- Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least six weeks
- Keep your incision sites clean and dry, following Dr. Strock’s wound care instructions
- Sleep in an elevated position with your knees bent to reduce tension on your abdomen
- Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty surgery offers both aesthetic and functional improvements that extend beyond appearance alone. Here’s what you can expect:
- Removes excess loose skin and fat for a smoother, firmer abdomen
- Tightens weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti repair)
- Improves posture and core strength
- Restores a more youthful, contoured waistline
- Enhances appearance and clothing fit after weight loss or pregnancy
Tummy Tuck Cost
Because no two abdominoplasty cases are the same, there is no one-size-fits-all tummy tuck cost. The price of the surgery will depend on several factors, including the amount of tissue removed, the anesthesia administered, and the tummy tuck techniques used. We also offer financing through CareCredit.
Why Choose Strock Plastic Surgery for Your Tummy Tuck in Fort Worth?
Louis Strock, M.D., P.A., is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his career to body contouring and breast surgery. He completed his plastic surgery training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and has been practicing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1996. Dr. Strock has been voted a Top Doc twice and is recognized for his expert surgical technique and natural-looking results.
His approach emphasizes patient safety, personalized care, and outcomes that complement your unique body proportions. Dr. Strock takes time to understand your concerns and creates a surgical plan suited to your specific needs. He performs tummy tuck surgery at Texas Health Surgery Center-Fort Worth Midtown, a fully accredited facility equipped with advanced surgical technology. Learn more about Dr. Strock’s credentials and experience.
You can also explore our other body procedures at Strock Plastic Surgery to find the right option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the First Step
Your abdomen tells the story of your life, but you don’t have to live with loose skin or separated muscles. Consult with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Strock of Strock Plastic Surgery in Fort Worth. Patients who want to improve the appearance of their abdominal wall and waist areas can request an online consultation to discuss their surgical options with Dr. Strock.
Call our office at 817-335-1616 to have a member of our friendly staff help schedule an appointment.
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