Women who experience pregnancy or massive weight loss tend to have stubborn fatty deposits in the abdominal region, as well as loose, excess skin. No matter how much they may exercise or diet, this area can be difficult to sculpt, which is why many turn to cosmetic plastic surgery. Tummy tuck surgery (“abdominoplasty”) can help patients regain a more slender midsection.

At the practice of Dr. David R. Luethcke, Westside Plastic Surgery in Houston, tummy tuck surgery is a commonly requested procedure. Typically, full abdominoplasty is performed through an incision made along the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone. Dr. Luethcke then separates the skin from the underlying muscles in order to tighten them for a flatter appearance. The skin is then pulled back down to remove the excess. In addition, a new opening for the belly button is made to provide a more youthful-looking abdomen. After the procedure, some swelling, bruising, and pain may be present but will fade as the weeks pass.

Patients may anticipate their final results about six to eight weeks after their procedure. Results can be long-lasting when a healthy lifestyle is adopted. Also, in order for the patient to maintain optimal results, it is best that she is done having kids before undergoing a tummy tuck.

Women who would like to achieve a better-contoured abdomen with tummy tuck surgery may contact Dr. Luethcke at his practice near Houston.

When is a tummy tuck not the most effective means of toning and sculpting one’s midsection? Often, following some pregnancies or massive weight loss surgery such as Gastric Bypass, a traditional tummy tuck might not be the most effective or even the safest way to minimize excess skin and fat deposits in the lower abdomen.

This question is what led body contouring surgeons to develop a new type of body shaping surgery known as a Panniculectomy.

A Panniculectomy is very similar to a traditional abdominoplasty, but differs slightly in that muscle tissue is not tightened or removed, due to strain on the patient’s body. Instead, only excess and localized fat deposits are removed from the body. The Panniculectomy targets the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen, between the navel and pubic bone: the area w/the largest accumulation of excess skin and leftover fat after massive weight loss surgery or pregnancy.

Commonly, after massive weight loss surgery, a fair amount of other health conditions will continue to affect a patient’s health, including back problems, ulcers and skin disorders, such as rashes and skin tissue depletion. These health concerns are what principally contributed to the development of this procedure.

Before having this procedure done, prospective patients (after having other fat-removal procedures) must stabilize their weight for one year, including sticking to a strict diet and exercise regiment. Only a trusted and highly qualified (board certified) plastic surgeon, who specializes in abdominal sculpting procedures should perform the Panniculectomy, given the unique patient circumstances that would necessitate such a procedure.