A new year often brings renewed motivation to focus on health, confidence, and personal goals. For many patients at Accent on You, a tummy tuck is a powerful way to address long-standing abdominal concerns that diet and exercise alone cannot resolve. Led by Dr. Nakamura, one of Fort Worth’s trusted board-certified plastic surgeons, our practice offers personalized cosmetic surgery solutions designed to restore a smoother, firmer, and more confident silhouette.
The Perfect Time for a Tummy Tuck
The start of the year is an ideal time to consider tummy tuck surgery, especially if you’ve experienced significant weight loss, pregnancy, or changes from weight gain. Winter and early spring allow patients to complete the initial healing process privately, often returning to daily activities well before summer. Patients who are at a stable weight and close to their normal body weight tend to see the most lasting tummy tuck results, making New Year planning especially strategic.
What a Tummy Tuck Can and Can’t Transform
A tummy tuck procedure is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin, excess fat, and weakened abdominal muscles. During this form of abdominal surgery, Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Halani can tighten muscles, reinforce the abdominal wall, and remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper and lower abdomen to create a flatter abdomen and flatter tummy.
This cosmetic procedure is particularly effective for:
- Correcting separated abdominal muscles
- Improving sagging skin
- Reducing certain stretch marks
However, abdominoplasty is not a weight loss solution and cannot replace healthy habits or prevent changes from future pregnancies or significant weight gain.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?
You may be a strong candidate for a tummy tuck if you are in good overall health, maintain a stable weight, and are bothered by loose skin, extra skin, or excess fat and skin that does not respond to exercise. Many candidates have experienced weight loss, breast surgery, or pregnancy and are left with stretched skin, compromised connective tissue, and a lax abdominal region.
Tummy Tuck Options
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to abdominoplasty surgeries. Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Halani carefully evaluate each patient’s anatomy and goals before recommending the best option:
- Mini tummy tuck (partial abdominoplasty): Focuses on the lower abdomen with less extensive correction and a shorter incision.
- Full tummy tuck (complete abdominoplasty): Addresses skin and fat, repairs separated abdominal muscles, and repositions the belly button for comprehensive contouring.
- Extended tummy tuck / extended abdominoplasty: Treats the abdomen and flanks, ideal for patients with excess skin and fat after major weight loss.
- Circumferential abdominoplasty: Targets the entire midsection, including the back.
- High lateral tension abdominoplasty: Enhances waist definition and improves tension distribution.
Recovery Timeline
Most tummy tucks are performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients typically wear an abdominal binder, may have drainage tubes, and are advised to avoid strenuous exercise during the initial recovery. While swelling gradually decreases, many patients return to light activity within four to six weeks, with continued improvement as the remaining skin settles and scars mature.
Long-term success depends on maintaining a steady weight, avoiding major fluctuations, and supporting the repaired abdominal muscles with healthy habits. Protecting the abdominal skin and following post-op guidance helps preserve a toned midsection and consistent results.
Start the New Year Feeling Confident in Your Body
At Accent on You, Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Halani combine expertise in plastic surgery with a patient-centered approach to deliver natural-looking, confidence-boosting outcomes. If you’re ready to begin the year with a smoother, stronger abdominal contour, schedule a personalized tummy tuck consultation at Accent on You in Fort Worth.
