Tummy Tuck Fort Worth (Abdominoplasty)
Board-Certified Fort Worth Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby performs “tummy tuck” surgery, or abdominoplasty, to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal wall after pregnancy, aging, changes in weight, genetics and previous surgery. During a tummy tuck, she will tighten and restore your abdominal muscles back to their correct anatomical position, revealing a contoured waist. In additional to the cosmetic benefits, it can also provide functional improvements, as it also restores weakened muscles. Stretch marks and loose skin can be partially or totally removed.
Real patient images from Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby
*Individual results may vary.
1. Mini Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck)
A modified version of the abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck removes excess, sagging tissue from the lower abdomen (below the belly button) to restore a firmer, flatter and slimmer silhouette. Depending on your needs, Dr. Kirby can also remove some stretch marks located below the belly button during surgery or even tighten mildly lax muscles.
Mini abdominoplasty removes a moderate amount of skin from the lower abdomen without repositioning the belly button. It is specifically designed to help correct the appearance of bulging in the lower part of the abdomen, beneath the belly button. Though this technique results in the smallest scars, mini abdominoplasty is not a good technique for patients with significant amounts of excess skin on their entire abdomen. This will be better treated by full abdominoplasty. Furthermore, with this procedure, Dr. Kirby will not be able to address or tighten the muscles above the belly button, limiting this procedure to use in specific circumstances. Dr. Kirby explains more in this video.
Where will my mini tummy tuck incisions be?
The mini tummy tuck incision is much shorter than a traditional, full tummy tuck incision. This may be the only incision, and the belly button is allowed to “float” downwards to a new position without an additional belly button incision. Other techniques include a scar around the belly button. Incision placement is specific to your body and to your surgery, and Dr. Kirby will discuss the incisions with you prior to your surgery.
What kind of anesthesia will I have?
Mini tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia for optimal comfort. This means you will be asleep for the entire procedure.
How long will my tummy tuck surgery last?
If performed alone, a mini tummy tuck typically takes 1-2 hours. The procedure may be performed in combination with other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction or breast augmentation. Combination surgery will take longer.
2. Full Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Full abdominoplasty removes lax skin, and fat, from above and below the belly button. The full tummy tuck repositions the belly button to a more proportionate spot. This procedure is best at treating patients who have a significant amount of skin laxity on their stomach, where changes in shape are desired above and below the belly button.
Using an incision that runs low from hipbone to hipbone, the doctor can tighten the muscle wall with sutures. This procedure may also be beneficial for patients with stretch marks below the belly button, although stretch mark removal is not guaranteed. The resulting scar is carefully positioned so that it is hidden from view by most clothing, and good surgical technique is essential to minimize scarring. A full tummy tuck is the most common type of abdominoplasty. Dr. Kirby explains the procedure in this video.
Whenever possible, Dr. Kirby uses drainless tummy tuck techniques to achieve beautiful results with a quicker, more comfortable recovery.
3. Extended Abdominoplasty
Extended abdominoplasty uses the longest incision of the three techniques, but it will also offer the most comprehensive results. This technique is usually reserved for those who have lost a large amount of weight and need the excess skin removed to show their slim, toned results. This procedure not only removes skin and repositions the belly button, but it also removes skin from the flanks, or love handles.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Your consultation takes about one hour. You’ll spend most of that time with Dr. Kirby discussing your goals, concerns, and questions, and learning how Dr. Kirby tailors the procedure to address each of these. You’ll also get to meet our nursing staff who will take your vitals and review your medical history, and our patient care coordinator will schedule your procedure and help guide you through the process from start to finish.
Female Plastic Surgeon Fort Worth
- Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2019
- Over 14 years of experience in private practice
- First female Chief of Plastic Surgery, Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital
- Founder and Medical Director of Kirby Plastic Surgery, Kalos Medical Spa, and City Surgery Center—a Quad A-accredited, state-of-the-art facility located onsite
- Specialist in breast surgery and body contouring, including postpartum
“Dr. Kirby and her staff are amazing. They go above and beyond to prepare you for surgery. I’ve honestly never seen a doctor cover all the bases like her team does. Very impressive. They instruct and prepare you for the best possible outcome both for surgery and recovery. They make you feel important and cared for. They sent me home with a care package that had pretty much everything I needed and then some to make recovery as comfortable as possible. I would absolutely use Dr. Kirby again and highly recommend her and her team”
Tummy Tuck with TAP Nerve Block
The TAP block is an injection of local anesthetic (numbing medication) into the neurovascular plane between the transversus abdominis muscle and internal oblique muscle, which the numbs the tissues of the lower abdomen from the belly button to the upper thigh. TAP stands for “Transversus Abdominis Plane.” A TAP block prevents the nerves from sending pain signals from your surgical site, thereby reducing pain post-surgery.
What are the benefits of a TAP block?
Dr. Kirby has found that using a TAP block for tummy tuck patients comes with a number of benefits, including:
- Feeling less sedated and more alert after surgery
- Able to be up and walking sooner post-surgery
- Able to start eating a regular diet earlier after surgery
- More effective pain control
- Less constipation caused by narcotic pain medications
- Less nausea caused by narcotic pain medications
Many of Dr. Kirby’s tummy tuck patients opt for a TAP block to reduce discomfort after surgery so they can get settled at home and start the healing process.
How is a TAP block performed?
Proper placement of the TAP block is crucial for ensuring adequate numbing of the nerves that control sensation in the lower abdomen. During the surgery, while you are asleep under general anesthesia, Dr. Kirby uses ultrasound imaging to visualize your abdominal musculature. She then guides placement of the injection between the appropriate muscle layers of the abdominal wall.
How long does the TAP Block last after the tummy tuck surgery?
Pain relief from a single TAP block should last up to 12 to 24 hours. A TAP block does not eliminate pain entirely. You will still use additional pain medication after surgery, but patients report using less narcotic pain medication and for a shorter period of time when a TAP block has been performed.
As the TAP block wears off, you may begin to notice increased sensation slowly returning to your abdomen. It is a good idea to take your pain medication before the numbness has worn off fully to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible.
“The results of my tummy tuck with Dr. Kirby and the team at Kirby’s plastic surgery can be described as amazing. After multiple pregnancies, the experience was exceptional, and the results exceeded expectations.
The surgery went smoothly, and recovery was more manageable than anticipated. Dr. Kirby and the team provided a clear recovery plan and were responsive to needs during that time.
This surgery has been a life-changing experience. Not only is the appearance improved, but comfort and confidence in one’s own skin are increased. For anyone considering a tummy tuck, Dr. Kirby is highly recommended. The expertise, kindness, and dedication to patients are unmatched.”
What are the possible risks of a TAP block?
Most complications are rare, but there are some risks associated with a TAP block—as with any injection. Typically, side effects are mild and short-lived, and may include:
- Infection at the injection site
- Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)
- Puncture of surrounding structures
By choosing a board certified plastic surgeon, these risks can be greatly reduced.
City Surgery Center
Our on-site, Quad A-accredited surgical suite
Instead of heading to a hospital or other public surgical facility for your procedure, you can enjoy the privacy and luxury of our on-site operating room, designed to facilitate safe, top-quality care in a spa-like setting. Quad A-accreditation is the gold standard and meets or exceeds hospital standards.
Embrace Scar Therapy for Minimal Scarring
Although Dr. Kirby takes care to place tummy tuck incisions low on the belly, where they can more easily be concealed by a swimsuit, she understands that you want the least noticeable scar possible, no matter what you are wearing! To help, Dr. Kirby offers Embrace® scar therapy, an FDA cleared treatment that is clinically proven to improve scar formation.
Embrace is an adhesive strip that reduces tension on the skin at a suture location. The strips are made of flexible, comfortable, and breathable clear silicone tape strips that gently contract around your incision to dramatically reduce tension, protect your healing incision, and create the optimal environment for healing. Our patients who use Embrace during their postoperative care are very happy they did—they have much thinner, lighter, and flatter scars in the months after tummy tuck surgery than they expected.
Embrace strips are easy to use and stay on for about 10 days each, even while showering and sleeping. Dr. Kirby and her team will show you how to use Embrace scar strips during your post-operative visits if you choose to use it.
Anesthesia from board-certified MDs or DOs only.
Custom ERAS protocols for each patient.
Instant ultrasound results, in-office.
Relaxing, private, & Quad A-accredited.
Track Your Progress with ShapeScale 3D Body Scanner
Your tummy tuck transformation goes beyond inches lost. ShapeScale 3D body scanning allows you to monitor how your shape refines over time so you can fully appreciate your transformation. Read more about ShapeScale.
Pairing Tummy Tuck with Breast Surgery or Additional Body Contouring
Liposuction is also frequently performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, in order to further enhance the shape of the lower abdomen. Tummy tucks are also frequently included as part of a mommy makeover and may be combined with breast procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call or text (817) 292-4200 or fill out our online appointment form today!
Area Served:
- Fort Worth, TX
- Southlake, TX
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily J. Kirby — Updated on Jul 22, 2026