Tummy Tuck Houston | Abdominoplasty Surgery
What is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Men and women alike experience frustrations with loose belly skin. Significant weight loss and the natural aging process can cause the muscles below the skin to stretch, leading to sagging skin. Many women experience loose abdominal skin after multiple pregnancies. After pregnancy, the uterus is also enlarged and sits low in the abdomen. As a result, there is additional pressure on the muscles of the abdominal wall causing them to stretch and weaken over time. This can result in drooping skin and even separated abdominal muscles. Board-certified and fellowship-trained tummy tuck surgeon in Houston, TX, Dr. Derek Lou has the experience and knowledge required to help you.
Tummy tuck surgery, also called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and fat from the midsection and tightens underlying muscles. This results in smoother contours of your abdomen, making clothes fit better. The tummy tuck surgery at our Houston clinic can be performed by itself or in combination with other cosmetic procedures such as liposuction or a breast procedure.
Tummy tuck surgery is performed using general anesthesia. We also offer our Houston patients a variety of different tummy tuck procedures to help meet their individual needs. During your tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Lou will listen carefully to your goals to determine which technique is best for you.
Why Choose a Tummy Tuck?
Remove Sagging Skin
Once skin has been stretched by underlying fatty tissue, laxity cannot be restored even after weight loss. All of the dieting and exercise in the world can't remove excess, sagging skin. Pregnancy and aging also contribute to reduced elasticity and skin volume. With plastic surgery, patients can tighten their abdominal skin and reach their cosmetic goals.
Tighten the Abdomen
Weight gain can cause both skin and the abdominal muscles to stretch. This can lead to a weakened abdominal wall which can be tightened via a tummy tuck procedure. Additionally, after pregnancy, some women experience diastasis recti, in which the abdominal wall separates. This separation can also be corrected during an abdominoplasty surgery.
After undergoing this muscle repair, you'll be able to enjoy a flatter, more sculpted midsection.
Reduce Stretch Marks & Scars
Tummy tucks usually remove skin below the navel. If you have stretch marks in that region, they can be either removed or minimized. If your stretch marks are above the navel, you may still see some benefits from this cosmetic surgery. While that skin won't be excised, it can shift lower as a result of the surgery, becoming less noticeable as the skin is re-draped and tightened.
Increase Your Self-Esteem
A flabby midsection is a source of frustration for countless Americans. Loose skin is especially frustrating as patients can't address this without medical intervention. By working with a board certified plastic surgeon, you can take an important step in reaching your aesthetic goals and improving your self-confidence.
Tummy Tuck Procedures
Not sure if a mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck is right for you? During your initial consultation, Dr. Lou will discuss your goals and examine the degree of excess skin that is present.
Standard/Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is the most common type of abdominoplasty surgery at our Houston clinic. It involves a low incision from hip bone to hip bone and full dissection of the abdomen including the belly button. A full tummy tuck targets both the upper and lower abdomen. Loose skin is removed and if indicated, the abdominal muscles are tightened.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini tummy tuck involves a limited, shorter incision, and is recommended for those that have loose skin only in the lower abdomen. Dissection is carried up to but not above the belly button. Patients who undergo a mini tummy tuck typically experience shorter recovery times.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck involves a longer incision, extending longer to the sides of the abdomen. This abdominoplasty procedure is indicated when the wake of saggy skin in the abdomen extends past the sides of the abdominal wall. A regular full abdominal dissection is performed similar to the full/traditional tummy tuck.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
Some patients only have sagging skin and tissue above the belly button. A reverse tummy tuck is performed on the upper abdomen to tighten skin and muscles. To achieve this, an incision is made in the fold of each breast. Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is pulled tight.
Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck
This tummy tuck surgery is used to narrow the extent of the abdominal skin to fit the lower half of the body. This is most commonly used in some bariatric patients, where the sagging skin needs to be removed both vertically and horizontally. The end result involves a midline incision along with the standard tummy tuck incision to achieve the best aesthetic result.
Tummy Tuck Candidates
When you attend your consultation with Dr. Lou, he will go over your medical history and goals to determine if this plastic surgery is appropriate for you.
Patients who are ideal tummy tuck candidates share the following traits
1. Loose Abdominal Skin
Excess, hanging abdominal skin is required to qualify for a tummy tuck. If you only have extra skin below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may be more appropriate than a full tummy tuck.
If you are unhappy with your midsection but don't have excess skin, other procedures (both surgical and non-surgical) that are focused on fat reduction and muscle definition can be recommended at the time of your consultation.
2. Stable Weight
If you experience large weight fluctuations or are far from meeting your weight loss goal, it's best to wait before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. It's recommended to be within 15-20 pounds of your weight goal prior to a tummy tuck. Losing more than that will minimize the results of the surgical procedure.
3. Good Health at Baseline
In the hands of a trusted and experienced plastic surgeon, a tummy tuck is a low-risk surgery. However, if you have heart or lung conditions, both the general anesthesia and surgical procedure can put you at risk of complications. Autoimmune disorders, especially those affecting connective tissues, can also complicate the healing and recovery process.
4. Able to Quit Smoking
Whether you choose a mini tummy tuck or the standard procedure, it's important to quit smoking at least 3-6 weeks before you undergo tummy tuck surgery. This will promote safety both during and after the procedure.
5. No Plans for Future Pregnancies
Similar to weight gain, pregnancy stretches the skin. If you become pregnant following a tummy tuck, much of the work performed during the surgery will effectively be undone. Similarly, pregnancy can cause repaired and rejoined muscles to weaken or separate again.
Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?
While both a tummy tuck and liposuction procedure are effective in improving body contour, it is important to identify their differences. Liposuction removes excess fat. If your problems arise from fat deposits in the abdomen and you do not have excess skin or a weak abdominal wall, liposuction will address your concerns. In contrast, tummy tuck surgery targets small deposits of fat, excess skin, and lax muscles on the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck tightens abdominal muscles, removes excess tissue, and makes the skin taut for a firmer look.
“I’m always very pleased with the results. Dr. Lou and his staff are awesome.”
Pre-Operative Abdominoplasty Preparation
Abstain from food and water. After midnight on the night before surgery, patients must abstain from all food and liquids. This includes water, coffee, mint, candy, and gum. Ingesting food and liquid during this time frame can lead to surgical complications. In the days and weeks leading up to surgery, maintain proper hydration.
Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly shower and scrub yourself the night before surgery using germ-inhibiting soap. Shampoo your hair. You can brush your teeth the morning of your tummy tuck, but take care to not swallow any liquid as you brush your teeth.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. Button-up tops, elastic pants, and slip on shoes are recommended.
Fill your prescriptions. Fill your prescriptions for your prescribed post-operative medications. Dr. Lou will advise you on which of your daily medications are safe to take the day of your surgery.
Post-Operative Tummy Tuck Recovery
Avoid excessive tension on the incision. Sleep in an elevated position or with pillows behind your head and under your knees. Walk with your abdomen in a slouched position.
Wear your compression garment. Continuously wear your compression garment until instructed otherwise by Dr. Lou. Do not cut the garment in any way without prior instruction. A funnel or cup may be needed during urination to maintain the garment's cleanliness.
Maintain mild activity levels. Avoid being sedentary. Get out of bed early and often (with assistance and supervision). However, do not participate in strenuous activity. You will experience swelling, fatigue, and bruising. Pace yourself to avoid further discomfort.
Take your medications. Your regular medications can be taken unless told otherwise. Take your pain medications as instructed.
Abstain from smoking. Continue to abstain from smoking. Smoking can delay and inhibit the healing process.
Keep drainage bulbs clean and dry. Monitor drainage. Showering is prohibited until your drains are removed, though you can take a "bird bath" so long as you keep the surgical and drain area dry. Your drainage bulbs should be in a collapsed position. Record your drainage output at least twice a day.
Begin scar treatment. Once all of your drains and sutures have been removed, you can begin scar treatment. Regularly practice scar management to reduce scar appearance.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What does the average tummy tuck cost?
Pricing is dependent on the tummy tuck procedure chosen in addition to the amount of excess fat and skin present. Low interest medical financing is available!
Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is ideal for individuals looking to remove excess skin in their abdomen. Patients should be at a healthy and steady weight before this surgery, as both weight gain and massive weight loss can impact your results.
Can I still get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
While women can get pregnant following this procedure, their results will be altered. We recommend that women wait to undergo a tummy tuck procedure until they have finished childbearing.
What is the recovery process like after getting a tummy tuck?
Surgery takes about two hours to complete and most patients are discharged the same day. Following surgery, patients wear compression garments to decrease pain and swelling. Pain medication is also prescribed to reduce discomfort. Tummy tuck patients can usually perform normal activities after two weeks, however full recovery time is around six weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise until cleared. Scar management instructions are provided to promote incision healing and reduce scar visibility.
Are there any nonsurgical alternatives?
In many cases, abdominal weakness and diastasis recti can be remedied through exercise and physical therapy.
Non-surgical RF skin tightening procedures such as Forma and Exilis use radiofrequency to improve skin tone and texture. However, while they tighten skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, they cannot eliminate excessive, sagging skin.
Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?
Many patients add additional body contouring procedures to their tummy tuck, with the primary one being liposuction. While a tummy tuck can reduce some excess fat, a liposuction can provide more dramatic results.
Lower body lifts can also be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Others choose to make it a part of their mommy makeover surgery and add breast augmentation or a breast lift.
Tummy Tuck Houston, TX
If you are tired of having loose skin in your abdominal region, our tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) treatments in Houston, TX can help! Dr. Lou, our board-certified plastic surgeon, has worked with many tummy tuck patients to help them achieve their aesthetic goals. Schedule a consultation with Lou Plastic Surgery today!