DVA Plastic Surgery | Restore Your Core

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty in Bellaire & River Oaks, TX

Flatten & Firm Your Abdomen

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a transformative surgical procedure that helps flatten the abdomen by removing excess fat and loose skin, while simultaneously tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.

For many patients, especially after pregnancy or significant weight loss, diet and exercise are simply not enough to restore the core. Dr. Ajibade utilizes advanced surgical techniques to reconstruct the abdominal wall, yielding a firmer abdomen and a narrower, beautifully contoured waist.

Comprehensive Transformation: A tummy tuck is often the central component of a Mommy Makeover, restoring your pre-pregnancy shape in a single surgery.

Are You an Ideal Candidate?

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in good physical condition but struggle with localized issues that have not responded well to lifestyle changes.

How It Works

Abdominoplasty takes approximately 2 to 5 hours to perform and is conducted under general anesthesia. Dr. Ajibade meticulously executes a multi-step process to completely reconstruct your core.
Strategic Incisions
Two incisions are carefully made: one horizontally from hipbone to hipbone (placed low enough to be concealed by underwear or a bikini), and another discreet incision around the navel to free it from the surrounding tissue.
Muscle Repair
The skin is separated from the abdominal wall. Dr. Ajibade then pulls the stretched or separated abdominal muscles together and tightly stitches them into place, creating a firmer, flatter abdomen and a dramatically narrower waistline.
Skin & Navel Placement
The skin flap is stretched tightly down over the newly repaired muscles, and all excess skin is removed. The navel is then brought through a new opening and reattached in a natural-looking position. Finally, the incisions are meticulously closed.

Beautiful, Long-Lasting Results

An abdominoplasty yields a dramatic improvement in your silhouette. Patients who struggled for years with diet-resistant abdominal sagging finally achieve the flat, contoured core they desire.

While abdominoplasty does leave a scar spanning the lower abdomen from hip to hip, Dr. Ajibade takes great care to place it low enough so that it can be easily and permanently concealed by a bikini bottom or standard underwear.

The results of a tummy tuck are considered permanent. By maintaining your weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise, your firmer abdomen and narrower waist will provide long-lasting satisfaction.

Recovery Timeline

Immediately Post-Op
An overnight hospital stay may be necessary. Temporary tubes may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
2 Weeks to 2 Months
This is the primary recovery window. Activity is gradually reintroduced as swelling subsides and the abdominal wall heals.
Full Recovery
Return to all strenuous activities and core exercises. Scars will begin to flatten and fade over the subsequent months.

Expertise you can trust

Dare V. Ajibade, MD, Ph.D., MPH

Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Dare V. Ajibade is an aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon with advanced training in body contouring procedures, including tummy tucks, Lipo 360, and breast surgery, all of which are central to a Mommy Makeover. He completed his plastic surgery fellowship at Temple University Hospital and an aesthetic fellowship at North Texas Plastic Surgery.

His extensive background in general surgery, plastic surgery, and clinical research informs every personalized treatment plan. As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ajibade follows the highest standards in patient care.

More about Dr. Ajibade

Understanding the Risks

Asymmetry or poor aesthetic result
Numbness or changes in skin sensation across the abdomen
Loose skin remaining
The potential need for future revisional surgery

While Dr. Ajibade takes care to conceal the hip-to-hip scar beneath the bikini line, unsightly scarring is a potential risk.

Additionally, patients who have had previous abdominal surgery (such as C-sections) may find that their old scars look more raised, have stretched, or are more noticeable in general after the tummy tuck pulls the skin taut. If this occurs, undergoing a scar revision procedure later on may minimize their prominence.