Corset Tummy Tuck- Dallas Mommy Makeover by Dr. John Burns
Corset Tummy Tuck Surgeon in Texas- Dallas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns
The corset tummy tuck is an advanced plication technique that involves drawing in the waist from both the front of the abdomen and the sides of the waistline. Similar to how a corset is created to hold and train a woman's midsection into an hourglass shape, the corset tummy tuck uses permanent internal stitches designed to do the same.
.-waist snatching/cinching after pregnancy, hormones + weight loss
-correct diastasis recti and obliques
-removes excess skin and stretch marks
-creates a flat tummy and hourglass effect at a woman's waistline/midsection
What Is Internal Corset Abdominoplasty?
The stretching of the abdomen with pregnancy will pull apart the rectus muscles which are centrally located and run from the central rib cage to the pubic bone. The stretching of pregnancy creates a gap between these muscles called rectus diastasis. The size of the gap varies from patient to patient and averages about 4 - 8 cm.
A standard tummy tuck almost always includes tightening the abdominal muscles that have been stretched during pregnancy or significant weight gain followed by massive weight loss.
Regardless of the reason, a corset tummy tuck can restore the waist and abdomen to a better shape than ever. A “snatched waist” is accomplished by removing all excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen from the belly button to the pubic area. The muscles are tightened down the middle, rectus plication, and sometimes using the sides or obliques; corset plication. The 3 vectors provide maximal contouring. VASER ultrasound high definition liposuction of the flanks, sides, back, and upper abdomen both thin and sculpt the waist to give a full 360 hourglass shape result.
What Is A Rectus Plication In A Tummy Tuck?
Rectus plication refers to repairing ab muscle separation (the center line running down the middle of a six-pack) called rectus diastasis by sewing these muscles back together. This is typically done with permanent sutures in 2 layers that create reinforcement and stability long-term.
Rectus plication restores a narrow waist by pulling the oblique muscles toward the middle while flattening the abdomen to eliminate a tummy bulge.
What Is An Internal Corset?
Almost all tummy tucks involve tightening of the rectus abdominal muscles which lie in the midline from the rib cage to the pubic bone. These muscles are tightened to bring them back to the center and eliminate the separation in the middle. Oftentimes, even with rectus plication, the waist lacks full definition. To accomplish more waist contour, the oblique muscles can be tightened on the sides to further narrow the waist and tighten the abdomen. This gives a 3 vector (3 directions of waist-cinching) corset tightening effect which further defines the abdominal contour giving a beautiful hourglass shape.
Types of Corset Abdominoplasties
Patients come in all shapes and sizes. The amount of tissue that needs to be removed in large part determines the length of the lower abdominal scar. This can be defined by the incision length as defined by the hip bones. Furthermore, the incision is always placed low on the abdomen in a position that would be covered with a bikini bottom or underwear: bikini incision.
Mini Corset Tummy Tuck
A “mini” incision would be placed inside the margins of the hip bones low on the abdomen.
Standard Corset Tummy Tuck
A “standard” incision would run from hip bone to hip bone low on the abdomen.
Extended Corset Abdominoplasty
The “extended” incision would extend beyond the hip bones onto the flanks or love handles as far as necessary to contour the waist and eliminate excesses laterally or on the sides.
Ask A QuestionWho Is A Good Candidate For A Corset Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck patients are typically those, who through pregnancy or weight loss, develop a lack of abdominal contour. They typically have excess abdominal skin and fat. Many have stretch marks which are typically more evident on the lower abdomen. Many have stretched out abdominal muscles which we call rectus diastasis that causes widening and projection of the abdomen.
Good candidates for a tummy tuck will be patients who have reached a stable goal weight and are finished having children. It is important to note that while pregnancy is possible after a tummy tuck, it will reverse the effects achieved by a tight tummy tuck. In those cases, liposuction might be an option for those women who desire more children. Ideal candidates will have a BMI less than 35 and preferably less than 30.
Why Choosing A Board-certified Plastic Surgeon Is Important
Patients will be best served with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery: Surgeons should have several years of practice experience with many before and after photo examples of their work. Patients should find surgeons whose work demonstrates the results that they are seeking. When comparing before and after photos it is helpful to find patients who resemble you in their pre-procedure photos. Other factors to consider are a fully accredited surgical facility and a board-certified anesthesiologist to do your anesthesia.
D Magazine: Ask the Mommy Makeover Expert with Dr. John Burns
How Is The Procedure Performed?
A tummy tuck should be done under general anesthesia done by a board-certified anesthesiologist. General anesthesia allows the anesthesiologist to maintain abdominal muscle relaxation so that your plastic surgeon can achieve maximum tightening of the abdominal muscles. The tummy tuck procedure averages about 2 hours depending on the extent of what needs to be done.
Dr. Burns will always use a bikini incision that can easily be hidden in a bikini bottom or underwear. Dr. Burns will almost always do high-definition VASER ultrasound liposuction of your abdomen, waist, and flanks to give you the perfect hourglass shape
Tummy Tuck As Part of A Mommy Makeover
Many patients undergoing a tummy tuck will combine their tummy tuck with another procedure to take advantage of their anesthesia and also to have one single recovery time. When the breasts are combined with a tummy tuck this is called a mommy makeover. Commonly performed breast procedures are a breast lift, breast augmentation, or both. Liposuctioned fat can be repurposed and added either to the face, breasts, or butt. For breasts, the fat can augment the breasts without an implant. For the butt, many women just want better shape and projection in what's called a skinny bbl.
Some women choose to combine a tummy tuck with facial rejuvenation procedures such as an eyelid lift or a facelift. Others may want to further sculpt their bodies with additional liposuction or an arm or thigh lift. Regardless, make sure to review your overall mommy makeover goals in a plastic surgery consultation.
How Long Is The Corset Abdominoplasty Recovery?
Recovery from a tummy tuck varies depending on what needs to be done and the extent of the liposuction, the length of the incision, and amount of tissue removed. Most patients will spend the first week at home doing basic activities of daily living but not much else.
Help will probably be needed the first week with activities such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Patients should walk slightly bent at the waist. Most patients can stand fully erect at one week and drive by the second week provided that they have stopped all narcotic pain medication.
By week two, patients are 50% better. Most patients can resume light exercise at one month and will be back to their normal exercise routine at 3 months.
Exparel For Pain Management
Dr. Burns uses a medication called Exparel in surgery which will numb your abdomen for about a week after surgery. Exparel greatly improves recovery and reduces your need for narcotic pain relief.
Pain-free plastic surgery with Exparel
Patients will receive pain medication and a muscle relaxer to aid in discomfort and recovery.
Mild bruising and swelling can be expected following surgery. Compression garments are provided for the patient to wear for around 6 weeks post-surgery. These garments are like Spanx and provide uniform pressure over the treated areas to help smooth the skin. Many patients will also get post-surgery lymphatic massage to decrease swelling, speed up recovery, and eliminate toxins from the body.
Our laser and skin care center, EpiCentre, offers a series of 6 Endermologie treatments to make downtime more manageable and to reduce swelling, enhance smoothness, and improve cellulite.
How Much Does a Corset Tummy Tuck Cost?
A standard corset tummy tuck with liposuction flanks/liposuction 360 costs around $11,500 for everything. Cost includes the surgeon’s fee, operating room fees, a board-certified anesthesiologist, post-surgery garments, and all pre and post-surgery appointments.
EpiCentre's Post-Surgery Package
EpiCentre Skincare & Laser Center offers a post-tummy tuck package that includes:
-endermologie treatments
-scar cream
-skin analysis, and
-4 laser scar treatments.
The additional cost for the EpiCentre package is about $700. Patients who want lymphatic massage are referred to a massage therapist whose fees are separate from Dr. Burns' practice.
Other FAQs
When Can I Expect To See My Full Result?
Patients will look great after a corset tummy tuck but there will be bruising and swelling for several weeks during healing. Drains are typically removed in 1 week. About 80% of the swelling resolves at 3 months with slow resolution of the remaining 20% over the next 3 months. The abdominal scar will initially be red and raised but will fade rapidly over the first year. The scar itself will continue to fade for up to two years post-op.
Will Lipo Get Me An Hourglass Finish?
Yes, liposuction/liposculpture is a critical component of all modern tummy tucks. In your surgery, Dr. Burns will use liposuction to sculpt your body at the following areas:
underarm fat, back/bra fat, and waist/love handles/flanks.
iIn most cases, Dr. Burns uses VASER ultrasound liposuction to provide smoother and relatively pain-free fat removal. The process of using liposuction with your tummy tuck is called lipoabdominoplasty (link to lipo abdominoplasty blog) and allows Dr. Burns to sculpt a 360 hourglass result.
Can You Use My C-Section Scar In My Tummy Tuck?
Yes. For patients with c-section scars, the new bikini line incision will fall below the c-section scar removing and replacing it with a better concealed tummy tuck scar.
Will My Scars Be Visible?
Dr. Burns uses a bikini incision so that the scar will be concealed in both bikinis and underwear. Initially, the scar will be red and raised. It will fade over the first year to a fine white line. We refer our patients to EpiCentre for topical and laser scar management treatments.
Is my corset permanent or does it dissolve?
Permanent sutures are used for the corset or muscle plication. The body heals around the sutures and provides support during healing. Once healed, the newly repositioned muscles will stay permanently tightened.
When can I work out after a corset tummy tuck?
Dr. Burns advises taking one month off from exercise. At one month, light exercise can be resumed with no weight lifting or high impact bouncing. Examples of this type of exercise is walking on a treadmill at an incline, stair climbing, elliptical trainer, or spin/stationary bike. Patients should continue to avoid strenuous activities until cleared.
At 2 months post-op, patients can begin lightweight toning exercises using light weight and high repetition type movements.
By 3 months patients can begin heavier lifting and core exercises. Once the core ab muscles are fully healed you’ll be stronger than ever!
Will I have drains with a corset tummy tuck?
Yes, especially with the liposuction component. We want all of the fluid to be removed from your body to reduce swelling and minimize discomfort. In most cases, tummy tuck drains are removed at 7 to 10 days after surgery.
When can I work out after a corset tummy tuck?
Dr. Burns advises taking one month off from exercise. At one month, light exercise can be resumed with no weight lifting or high impact bouncing. Examples of this type of exercise is walking on a treadmill at an incline, stair climbing, elliptical trainer, or spin/stationary bike. Patients should continue to avoid strenuous activities until cleared.
At 2 months post-op, patients can begin lightweight toning exercises using light weight and high repetition type movements.
By 3 months patients can begin heavier lifting and core exercises. Once the core ab muscles are fully healed you’ll be stronger than ever!
Tummy Tuck Before and After by Dallas Mommy Makeover Expert, Dr. John Burns
Can I Finance A Corset Tummy Tuck?
Yes, you can finance your tummy tuck. We offer simple third party financing options through CareCredit, PatientFi, or Alphaeon. Many of these plans offer no interest options. We are happy to help you guide you through the process during your consultation.
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Dr. John Burns
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