Body

tummy tuck

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Vennemeyer, has over a decade of experience making tummy’s look beautiful again after weight loss and/or pregnancy.

In general, tummy tucks address three major things:

  1. Excess tummy skin:
    Excess Tummy Skin
    Loose abdominal skin can happen from weight gain and loss or pregnancy. Stretch marks are common. Excess skin is removed, leaving a scar. Stretch marks present on the removed skin go away, too. The length of your scar depends on how much skin is removed.
  1. Excess tummy fat:
    Excess Tummy Fat
    Fat between the skin and your core muscles is called "subcutaneous fat". Skin removal includes the fat underneath it. Additional fat can be removed by cutting it away or with liposuction.
  1. Loose inner girdle or core:
    Loose inner girdle or core Loose inner girdle or core
    Your abdominal muscles, known as the "six-pack" muscles, are normally paired closely together up and down the middle of your tummy. With pregnancy or weight gain the inside of your abdomen expands. This creates pressure on the core girdle from the inside. This pressure stretches the core and separates the six pack muscles. This is called a diastasis. The effect is like loosening a belt. The circumference of your abdomen increases. A rounded or bulging contour results. This is sometimes referred to as a "pooch". Unfortunately, sit-ups and other core exercises will not bring the muscles closer together. Many women find this incredibly frustrating. Do not be hard on yourself—surgery is the only way to fix this.

The various tummy tuck techniques used by Dr. Vennemeyer address these three major problems to a different degree and in slightly different ways.

Expert Bikini-worthy Belly Buttons after Tummy Tuck:

Over the past decade, Dr. Vennemeyer has perfected his unique technique to give his patients the most natural looking belly buttons possible.  He is now known for creating beautiful, natural-looking belly buttons in his tummy tuck results.

The best belly buttons after an abdominoplasty have the 3 following characteristics:

Abdominoplasty

  1. Slight hooding of the upper part of the belly button relative to the lower part.
    Slight hooding of the upper part of the belly button relative to the lower part
  2. The scar is hidden through its location inside the new belly button rather than around the umbilicus.
    Belly Button
  3. There is a natural appearing concavity flowing into the belly button, avoiding a stuck-on, 2 dimensional appearance.
    Natural Appearing Concavity

Dr. Vennemeyer is very detail-focused with his belly buttons. He wants his patients to be able to wear a bikini afterwards without anyone knowing they had a tummy tuck, since a bad belly button result is a total giveaway, that you’ve had a tummy tuck.

Belly Buttons Belly Buttons

Tummy Tuck combined with 360-Degree Core Liposuction

If you have a thicker layer of fat underneath your skin, combined with loose skin, a combination of 360-degree core liposuction in addition to a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty may be the best option for you.

These patients all opted to combine 360-degree liposuction with a tummy tuck for the best improvement.

360 Degree Liposuction 360 Degree Liposuction 360 Degree Liposuction

Liposuction is used to remove fat from the tummy. Then Dr. Vennemeyer removes extra skin as he does in a full tummy tuck. The core muscles are tightened together, too. The result is a more dramatic improvement for people who would still be left with a thicker layer of fat after a normal tummy tuck.

Liposuction Liposuction Liposuction

Dr. Vennemeyer’s circumferential liposuction, also called 360-degree Liposuction, can also be combined with a tummy tuck. If you have a thicker layer of fat in the abdomen, flanks, hips and lower back, 360 Lipo may help you get better result.

Circumferential Liposuction Circumferential Liposuction Circumferential Liposuction

Tummy Tuck Scars

Tummy Tuck Scars

Photo: Loose skin and stretch marks improved with tummy tuck. Patient shown 6 months post-op. Additional scar fading occurs over first 1 to 2 years.  Notice how natural the belly button looks with Dr. Vennemeyer’s unique belly button technique.

Tummy Tuck Scars

Fear of tummy tuck scars is a very common concern.  The goal of a tummy tuck is to get your core looking amazing, so Dr. Vennemeyer uses a special technique, to place your scar as low and as thin as possible based on your anatomy.  His goal is for you to be able to wear a bikini or lingerie after your procedure, so that you can feel and look amazing.  Your natural pigmentation and how your body heals plays a role in your final scar appearance, but scars typically fade significantly over the first few months and continue fading maximally over the first 12-24 months.  Dr. Vennemeyer also recommends that you use silicone scar strips, once your incision is at the right stage of the healing process, which is typically three weeks after surgery.

Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss

Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini-tummy tuck, or mini-abdominoplasty, is perfect for those with excessive skin limited to the area between their belly button and pubic area. Bulging tissue in this area may result from separation of the lower abdominal muscles and accumulation of excess skin and fat. The procedure involves a small incision directly above the pubic area. In this procedure, loose skin is removed and muscles are tightened below the belly button so that your lower abdomen is flatter and tighter. This procedure will not tighten the upper abdomen. In some cases, Dr. Vennemeyer recommends liposuction along with your mini-tummy tuck to help you get the best result possible.

This procedure is great for women and men with loose skin, core bulging and smaller amounts of excess fat. A full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty tightens the entire abdomen from ribcage to pubic area. Most stretch marks below the belly button can be removed with this procedure. The core muscles are tightened above and below your belly button to improve bulging.

Tummy Tuck Payment Plans:

Tummy Tuck
Tummy Tuck & 360 Core Liposuction

We offer great financing options and low monthly payments!  Depending on pre-approval, many qualify for zero down! Check pre-approval here.

Tummy Tuck

Rapid Recovery

Our goal for you after your tummy tuck is to have very minimal downtime. Starting now, follow these 3 steps to tune your body up in advance for a fast recovery.

  1. Ensure you are a healthy weight with your BMI (Body Mass Index) 30 or less.
  2. Get a minimum of 100 grams of protein daily (protein bars, protein water and protein shakes are great for this.)
  3. Exercise 15 mins. daily to get your heart rate up and break a sweat.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

1. How can I get a flatter tummy?

If you have loose skin or bulging from separation of your six-pack muscles (diastasis) a tummy tuck will likely give you the best result. If you have tight skin liposuction may be sufficient for improvement.

2. Can I wear a bikini after a tummy tuck?

Most of Dr. Vennemeyer's patients feel comfortable wearing a bikini after a tummy tuck and are able to conceal their scars.

3. What is the recovery time after a tummy tuck?

Most patient's can return to work 1-2 weeks after a tummy tuck. It may take up to 6 weeks for your energy level to return to normal.

4. Do I need liposuction along with my tummy tuck?

Liposuction can further improve your results from a tummy tuck through contouring the waist and hip?

5. What is 360 Lipo?

This is Dr. Vennemeyer's technique for circumferential liposuction of the waist, hips, flanks and abdomen. Good candidates can achieve significant improvement in their core contour.

6. What is a mini-tummy tuck?

This procedure tightens the skin below your belly button and results in a shorter scar than a full tummy tuck.

Questions?
We're here to help!

Testimonials

I can’t say enough positive things about this place. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Dr. V is amazing! He corrected the problem with my previous implants and did a fabulous job! If you are considering surgery, I highly recommend him!
Christi Shivers
Christi Shivers
December 22, 2022.
10/10 would come back again! Cindy has been the sweetest! Also, Tracy answered all of my questions and provided the best customer service! I can’t forget Dr. VENEMEYER… BEST SURGEON EVER.
Matilde Arbaiza
Matilde Arbaiza
October 31, 2022.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr.Vennemyer and his team.. I had a TT, Breast Augmentation with Lipo 360. I was so nervous because I’ve never had surgery before but they made me feel as comfortable as possible and confident through out the whole process. I’m a couple years out from this journey and my results have been nothing but amazing. Thanks again!
Heather Jones
Heather Jones
October 28, 2022.
I had a breast augmentation here and thought Dr. V’s skill and professionalism were excellent. The surgery went well and my results were exactly what I was looking for. I would go back and I would recommend them to anyone.
Marie Vasquez
Marie Vasquez
October 25, 2022.
My experience with Dr.Vennemeyer and the whole staff has been amazing from day one. Dr.Vennemeyer is an amazing surgeon and truly cares about his patients. He made sure he knew every little thing about my medical history for my own safety which I am truly grateful. The day of my surgery I felt so anxious but the whole team made me feel comfortable to the point I was so relaxed before surgery I took a nap. The nurses are also amazing and very sweet. Every concern that I had while I was recovering they always responded right away and made me feel at ease while recovering. I would also like to give a Rachel a big Thank you! I had a million questions before surgery and she always answered them quick. Aside from all this my recovery has been easy. I got a mommy makeover and I’m on week 3. I feel great and look great. Dr.Vennemeyer has given me my confidence back. THANK YOU SO MUCH DR.VENNEMEYER AND HIS STAFF FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME.
Nadia Vidales
Nadia Vidales
September 19, 2022.
DrV and his staff are amazing. Not only do they give you’ll all the information you need and are for any questions but are so since and have the most patience. This is the best experience I have had.
Veronica Gonzales
Veronica Gonzales
September 8, 2022.
El mejor cirujano y sin salir de Dallas/Fort Worth
anna morales
anna morales
August 23, 2022.
Best decision of choosing Dr.V for my procedure. With no doubt his the best DR , everyone in his office is awesome from the nurses to his PA there wonderful. I am beyond grateful and happy with my results.
Maria Hernandez
Maria Hernandez
August 15, 2022.

Medical Associations

American board of plastic surgery certification
American society of plastic surgeons member logo
A huge THANK YOU to our patients for helping Dr. V rank #1 in Texas & TOP 1% nationally for 2021 Allergan Breast Implant Volume in a single surgeon practice!

Get Dr. Vennemeyer's Book

Plastic surgery myths dispelled book cover