Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dr. Robert Schwartz performs abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery to remove excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening the underlying muscle fascia for a smoother, firmer abdominal contour. The procedure addresses post-pregnancy abdominal changes, significant weight loss with skin redundancy, and diastasis recti (muscle separation). Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia, with a horizontal incision placed low on the abdomen for maximum concealment. Recovery involves return to light activity within a few weeks. Abdominoplasty is commonly combined with liposuction or performed as part of a Mommy Makeover.

Dr. Robert Schwartz Plastic Surgery Dallas performs full abdominoplasty and mini-abdominoplasty procedures for patients seeking to address abdominal skin redundancy, excess subcutaneous fat, and musculofascial laxity that cannot be resolved through diet and exercise alone. The procedure is most commonly sought by women following one or more pregnancies — particularly when diastasis recti (separation of the paired rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba) has occurred, creating the characteristic abdominal bulge or 'pouch' that remains despite restored body weight — and by patients who have undergone significant weight loss and are left with redundant abdominal skin folds. Full abdominoplasty involves a horizontal incision placed low on the lower abdomen, positioned to be concealed within swimwear and underwear. The skin and soft tissue of the abdomen are elevated to expose the underlying rectus abdominis fascia, which is tightened with internal sutures along the midline to restore the natural corset effect of the intact abdominal wall musculature — correcting diastasis recti and improving the functional stability and aesthetic contour of the core. Excess skin and fat of the lower and central abdomen are excised, and the remaining abdominal skin is re-draped over the tightened fascia and sutured under appropriate tension. The navel (umbilicus) is repositioned to a natural anatomical location through a neo-umbilicoplasty technique. Liposuction of the flanks and abdomen is routinely combined with abdominoplasty to refine the overall waist contour and address areas not corrected by skin excision alone. Mini-abdominoplasty uses a shorter incision and addresses skin redundancy confined to the area below the navel, without umbilical repositioning, and is suitable for patients with mild lower abdominal excess and intact upper abdominal skin tone. Abdominoplasty at the Dallas practice is commonly combined with breast procedures in a Mommy Makeover, or with thigh lift or arm lift as part of a post-bariatric body contouring plan. The procedure is performed as outpatient surgery under general anaesthesia, with temporary surgical drains placed for 7 to 10 days. Compression garments are worn for four to six weeks, return to light desk work typically occurs within two to three weeks, and full unrestricted activity is resumed at six to eight weeks.