March 2023

The 
Dallas Tummy Tuck


The Dallas Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures with one of the highest satisfaction rates here in my Dallas practice. Tummy tucks, like all plastic surgery procedures, are not a one-size-fits-all approach, and the difference between a good result and a great result is what makes all the difference.

Dallas moms, in particular, are unique in that they have ultra-specific goals for their mommy makeover aesthetic. They're health-conscious, and they understand that their appearance is a factor in their overall well-being. They, along with their families, lead an active lifestyle. Many of them also serve at the c-suite level. It's essential that they both look and feel their best.

In Dallas, what was once considered taboo or selfish surgery is now categorized as next-level self-care or good hygiene like regular mani/pedis, extensions, or teeth whitening. Gone are the days when moms resign themselves to living life in a “mom bod.”

So, What Makes A Great Tummy Tuck?

The plastic surgeons' mindset has finally shifted from simply giving women an "acceptable tummy tuck result" by removing loose skin and giving flat abs, to creating an "abdominal aesthetic," where 3D vectors are addressed to sculpt and shape abdominal muscles and create a tighter hourglass waist.

And whether we are discussing a tiny tuck, a mini tummy tuck, a corset tuck, or an extended tummy tuck surgery (body lift), I regularly employ these techniques to create a beautiful aesthetic that goes well beyond "just a tummy tuck" to a one-of-a-kind mommy makeover.

These refinements make all the difference for my Dallas moms.

Explore Tummy Tucks

Tummy Tuck Results by Dr. John Burns

Before & After Dallas Tummy Tuck by Dallas Plastic Surgeon Dr. John Burns
split screen before & after Dallas Tummy Tuck by Dr. John Burns
split screen | before & after Dallas Tummy Tuck by Dallas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns
split screen | before & after Dallas Tummy Tuck by Dallas Mommy Makeover Surgeon, Dr. John Burns
Tanned caucasian woman in white one piece swimsuit wearing sunglasses by the pool

Low Bikini Incision Line

A tummy tuck incision should be placed low on the abdomen following the natural curve of a female body. I call this a bikini incision because it can be covered with a bikini bathing suit bottom or underwear. A straight incision will result in a more rectangular appearance of the abdomen while a curved incision will pull the waist in and accentuate the hourglass shape of the waist. The bikini incision also reduces the chances of a "dog ear" effect where excess skin and fatty tissue gather at the end of the incision line.

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Next-Level Ab Tightening: Corset Plication

Tightening the abdominal muscles is traditionally done by sewing together the rectus abdominus muscles (think the middle line of the six-pack) from the rib cage to the pubic area. In some cases, the waist can be tightened even more using 2 additional points of plication to draw in the lateral sides of the waist. I execute this by tightening the muscles along the obliques for 3-vector plication, which I call "corset" plication because it mimics the effect of wearing a corset, giving the waistline an hourglass effect.

The midsection of a caucasian woman wearing bikini bottoms and markings for liposuction

Liposculpting > Liposuction

In the era of tummy tucks past, liposuction was done exclusively at the love handle areas to minimize the boxy waistline that often accompanies a post-pregnancy figure. Liposuction devices were rudimentary at best, with large cannulas, uneven results, and oftentimes painful recovery with excessive bruising and swelling.

True liposuction 360 involves removing unwanted fat at the abdomen, love handles, underarms, and back. In lipo 360, all dimensions are treated so that circumferential body slimming is achieved and so it compliments the results of a tummy tuck.

Not only do modern tummy tucks involve significantly more contouring, taking the entire torso into account, but the newer device technology has also evolved alongside more advanced lipo techniques. In liposculpture, the same body areas are liposuctioned with a more precise fat removal device called VASER®.

I use VASER® ultrasound to carve out the waist and outline the muscles in a procedure known as abdominal etching or ab sculpting. VASER® uses ultrasound energy to melt the fat, allowing for a greater amount of fat removal and creating smoother, more even fat extraction while tightening the skin.

VASER also results in a quicker recovery with less bruising and swelling.

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A More Beautiful Belly Button

With the bikini incision, the only visible incision that a woman has had a tummy tuck might be the belly button. When necessary, this incision can be designed carefully to produce a cute, “innie” appearance with a less visible scar on the inside. However, in some cases, the belly button can be “floated” by dividing the belly button at the base and then reattaching it once the skin is removed. With this technique, the belly button sits slightly lower but there is no scar around the belly button. I call this floating the belly button.

Mini Tummy Tuck Results by Dr. John Burns

Before & After Mini Tummy Tuck with umbilical float by Dallas Tummy Tuck surgeon, Dr. John Burns
Before & After Mini Tummy Tuck with umbilical float by Dallas Tummy Tuck surgeon, Dr. John Burns
Before & After Mini Tummy Tuck with umbilical float by Dallas Tummy Tuck surgeon, Dr. John Burns
Before & After Mini Tummy Tuck with umbilical float by Dallas Tummy Tuck surgeon, Dr. John Burns

Get A Tighter Tummy With Dr. Burns

The Dallas tummy tuck procedure is in a class of its own. To learn more, take a look at our tummy tuck galleries or contact our team to schedule your complimentary consult with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. John Burns.

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