Tummy Tuck in Houston, TX
One of the most common areas to accumulate stubborn fat is in the midsection. In addition to fatty deposits, many women and men develop loose muscles and sagging skin due to weight fluctuations, age, and life events like pregnancy and childbirth.
Not only does abdominal fat and skin laxity cause people to feel self-conscious, but these issues can keep individuals from fully enjoying their lives. What makes these cosmetic concerns even more frustrating is that they often cannot be corrected solely by natural means. Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, some individuals are left with the stomach bulging and loose abdominal contour that occurs with age, pregnancy, childbirth, and weight fluctuations.
Tummy tuck surgery in Houston, Texas, also known as abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that tightens the abdominal muscles, trims excess skin, and removes pockets of fat to help women and men regain their confidence and look their very best.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery creates a firmer and flatter midsection that patients can see and feel. This procedure is ideal for women whose stomachs have loosened due to pregnancy, women and men who have experienced massive weight loss, or individuals who have been unable to tone their abdomens through proper diet and exercise.
While tummy tuck surgery does remove pockets of fat, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Though patients will likely lose a few pounds (due to the removal of excess fat and sagging skin), this procedure will not result in significant weight reduction. Because of this, candidates should be at or very near their goal weight before they undergo a tummy tuck. Ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery do not smoke, are in good health, have tried to achieve a toned abdomen naturally, and have realistic expectations of their results.
What Can a Tummy Tuck Do?
The benefits of an abdominoplasty procedure are both physical and psychological. A tummy tuck procedure can:
- Remove loose skin that resulted from significant weight loss
- Eliminate the “belly bulge” or “stomach pooch”
- Repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles — known as diastasis recti
- Improve posture
- Help with back pain
- Increase your clothing options
- Improve comfort and confidence
To see if you are a candidate for a tummy tuck, schedule your consultation with Dr. Kronowitz by calling (713) 523-0300.
How Is My Tummy Tuck Performed?
Abdominoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia to ensure that patients do not experience any pain or discomfort during the surgery.
Dr. Kronowitz utilizes a low-positioned, short incision when performing his Houston tummy tuck. This incision is made above the pubic line so that the resulting scar will be easy to conceal with underwear, bathing suits, and clothing.
Most patients do not require an incision made around the belly button; however, this additional incision may be recommended for patients with significant skin laxity. This will allow for the navel to be repositioned so that it sits in a more natural and aesthetically pleasing location.
Dr. Kronowitz will discuss the incision options, lengths, and positions with you during your consultation.
Once the incisions are made in the abdomen, localized pockets of fat are removed from the lower and upper stomach using liposuction, which suctions out subcutaneous fat through a cannula. The abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened with the use of internal sutures, loose and sagging skin are surgically removed, and the remaining skin is pulled tight before the incisions are closed.
Once the procedure is complete, patients are able to return home to begin their recovery process.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty) is a variation of the traditional tummy tuck that utilizes a smaller incision and provides a lesser degree of correction. While a traditional tummy tuck addresses concerns above and below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck only corrects issues below the navel. A mini tummy tuck is appropriate for individuals with a lesser degree of excess skin, loose muscles, and fat in the lower abdomen.
As the mini tummy tuck is less invasive than its traditional counterpart, it does not need as long to recover and will result in a smaller scar. However, it must be noted that not everyone is a candidate for mini tummy tuck surgery.
Can a Tummy Tuck Be Combined With Other Procedures?
While many patients choose to undergo a Houston tummy tuck as a standalone procedure, women and men looking for more complete results to their overall body contour can combine their abdominoplasty with other body procedures, including liposuction of other areas of the body.
Women can also upgrade their tummy tuck to a Mommy Makeover, which combines tummy tuck surgery and liposuction with breast procedures, including breast augmentation surgery and breast lift surgery (mastopexy).
What Will My Tummy Tuck Recovery Entail?
You will need to have someone to drive you home after your tummy tuck procedure and stay with you for the first 24 hours. This is important, as they will need to help you with household chores, dressing, and getting up. Additionally, you will need someone to help take care of children or pets, if necessary.
You can expect to have bruising, swelling, and some tightness and soreness in your midsection; however, these side effects will dissipate within a week or two. This discomfort can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
Your lower abdomen will be wrapped in a compression garment that will protect the healing incision and help reduce bruising and swelling by promoting blood circulation.
Most patients can return to work and their normal, day-to-day activities after two weeks, but strenuous exercise and lifting or carrying anything over 10 pounds is restricted for at least six weeks or until cleared by Dr. Kronowitz. The most important thing to remember during the recovery period is to follow Dr. Kronowitz’s post-operative instructions.
How Much Is a Tummy Tuck in Houston?
The total cost of your tummy tuck varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the techniques used, combination surgeries, and additional tummy tuck costs including anesthesia fees, surgeon fees, and facility fees. This cannot be determined until your specific surgical plan has been established.
You will be provided with an accurate cost estimate after your consultation.
When Will I See My Tummy Tuck Results?
The results of your tummy tuck will begin to show immediately after your surgery; however, they will improve over the following weeks and months as the bruising and swelling subside. Many patients can expect to see their final results two to four months after their procedure. Your tummy tuck will result in a smoother, firmer, and more toned and contoured abdomen.
Tummy tuck results are long lasting, but additional weight fluctuations can negatively affect the appearance of your abdomen. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can prolong your results. Additionally, future pregnancies can detract from your tummy tuck results, which is why it is strongly recommended that women wait until they are finished having children to undergo a tummy tuck.
Where Can I Learn More About Tummy Tuck Surgery?
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery or to get a tummy tuck cost estimate, contact Dr. Kronowitz at Kronowitz Plastic Surgery by calling (713) 523-0300 or by filling out our online contact form.
Dr. Kronowitz sees patients from Houston as well as the surrounding areas, including Cypress, The Woodlands, Conroe, Houston Heights, Kingwood, River Oaks, West University Place, Bellaire, Memorial, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Friendswood, Pearland, Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, Galveston, League City, Pasadena, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas.
Locations
Bellaire
6565 West Loop South, Suite 850
Bellaire, TX 77401
Kingwood
4533 Kingwood Dr., Suite 100
Kingwood Area, TX 77345
The Woodlands
9180 Pinecroft Dr. , Suite 250
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Cypress
27700 Northwest Fwy, Suite 330
Cypress, TX 77433