Tummy Tuck in Houston, TX
One of the most common areas where stubborn fat accumulates is in the midsection. In addition to fatty deposits, many women and men develop loose muscles and sagging skin in the abdominal area due to weight fluctuations, age, and life events like pregnancy and childbirth.
Not only do abdominal fat and skin laxity cause people to feel self-conscious, but these issues can keep individuals from fully enjoying their lives. These cosmetic concerns are even more frustrating because they often cannot be corrected solely by natural means. Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, some individuals are left with stomach bulges and loose abdominal skin. A tummy tuck at Kronowitz Plastic Surgery can change that, smoothing and slimming your midsection and restoring your confidence in your appearance.
What Is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that creates a flatter, more appealing contour to the midsection. It tightens the abdominal muscles, trims away sagging skin, and removes pockets of stubborn fat, helping women and men regain their confidence and look their very best.
In some cases, trying to get rid of bulges around the waist can be nearly impossible. With a tummy tuck, this excess fat and lax skin is easily trimmed away, and abdominal muscles are repaired to restore core strength and give you a slimmer, trimmer appearance.
Why Choose Kronowitz Plastic Surgery for a Tummy Tuck?
At Kronowitz Plastic Surgery, we spend quality time with every patient to ensure we deliver results that align with the detailed vision they have for their body. As an internationally recognized plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Steven J. Kronowitz takes pride in maintaining his reputation for delivering natural-looking, long-lasting results that patients love. His success has brought him the opportunity to open four locations in Texas. To schedule a consultation, call one of our offices in Kingwood, Houston, Cypress, or The Woodlands at (713) 523-0300 or fill out our online contact form.
What Causes Abdominal Laxity?
Loose skin and fat accumulate for several reasons, often unrelated to diet or exercise habits. Changes in the appearance of the abdomen due to weight fluctuations and pregnancy can push skin past its limits. Hormonal changes as we age, genetics, stress, and many other factors are also at play. The result is bulges of sagging tissue and weakened muscles that can affect a patient’s confidence and quality of life.
When most people think of fat, they think of subcutaneous fat that develops beneath the skin. Tummy tuck procedures can remove subcutaneous fat and excess skin, creating a visible change in your appearance. A tummy tuck is meant to sculpt and trim off unwanted tissue, promoting a leaner, healthier figure.
Dr. Kronowitz also incorporates liposuction into his tummy tuck procedures. Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, he can perform liposuction on the flanks, pubis, and labia majora in addition to the abdomen. However, keep in mind that liposuction is not a method of weight loss.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery creates a firmer and flatter stomach that patients can see and feel. This procedure is ideal for women who have loose skin and fat due to pregnancy, as well as men and women who have experienced massive weight loss or those who have been unable to achieve a flat stomach through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
While tummy tuck surgery does remove pockets of fat, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and isn’t typically performed on people with a BMI of 30 or over. Though patients will likely lose a few pounds (due to the removal of excess fat and sagging skin), a tummy tuck will not result in significant weight reduction. Because of this, candidates should be at or very near their goal weight before they undergo this cosmetic treatment.
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are nonsmokers in good health, have tried to achieve a toned abdomen naturally, and have realistic expectations of their results.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
The benefits of abdominoplasty are both physical and psychological. A tummy tuck can:
- Remove and tighten loose skin
- Eliminate the “belly bulge” or “tummy pooch”
- Repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles (known as diastasis recti)
- Improve posture, reduce back pain, and treat incontinence by strengthening abdominal muscles
- Reduce stretch marks and scars from previous abdominal surgeries
- Increase your clothing options
- Improve comfort and confidence
- Offer lasting results with proper diet and exercise
What Are My Tummy Tuck Options?
There are three common tummy tuck options: the full tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck, and the extended tummy tuck. Each is performed slightly differently and addresses different aesthetic issues.
Full Tummy Tuck
During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Kronowitz will begin by making an incision that extends across your abdomen right above the pubic area. The incision is positioned so the resulting scar can be easily concealed when wearing underwear or swimsuit bottoms.
Dr. Kronowitz then removes excess pockets of fat and tissue, trimming away loose skin and using liposuction for precision contouring. He will also repair the damage to your abdominal muscles caused by diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is when your abdominal muscles separate down the center line of your abdomen; during tummy tuck surgery, those muscles are tightened and sutured back together to improve their strength.
Once the excess skin is removed and the abdominal muscles repaired, your belly button is repositioned, your abdominal skin is redraped and pulled taut, and the incision is closed, leaving you with a flatter, smoother abdominal contour.
Extended Tummy Tuck
With an extended tummy tuck, the full tummy tuck incision is extended, reaching the sides of your midsection (also called the flanks). With this procedure, Dr. Kronowitz can remove fat from the flanks and hips in addition to the abdomen to create a more contoured waist.
An extended tummy tuck is similar to a conventional tummy tuck, but it targets a larger area of excess skin across your middle, including the flanks, and even around to your lower back. It is performed using an incision in the same location as a full tummy tuck, but the incision is longer as it extends to your lower back. The rest of the steps for an extended tummy tuck are the same as a full tummy tuck.
An extended tummy tuck is ideal for people with ample amounts of sagging or excess skin on their abdomen, flanks, and lower back due to considerable weight loss.
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 conventional 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 less excess skin, loose muscles, and fat in the lower abdomen.
As the mini tummy tuck is less invasive than its traditional counterpart, it typically takes less time 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.
What Can I Expect From My Tummy Tuck Consultation?
During your personalized consultation, Dr. Kronowitz will review your medical history and the medications you currently take. He listens intently to your aesthetic goals and concerns and offers various options and recommendations. You can learn more about the other procedures he provides on his blog.
For a tummy tuck procedure, he will specifically discuss the different types of tummy tucks he performs to optimize your desired results. Dr. Kronowitz prides himself on delivering the safest and most comfortable experience possible to all his patients. As the author of three plastic surgery books and a contributor to more than 100 research publications, Dr. Kronowitz utilizes his extensive knowledge, training, and skill to ensure all patients have a smooth preparation, procedure, and recovery process.
To get started with a consultation, call one of his locations in Cypress, Kingwood, The Woodlands, or Houston, TX, at (713) 523-0300 or fill out our online contact form.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
Abdominoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed using general anesthesia to ensure that patients do not experience any pain or discomfort during the surgery.
When performing a tummy tuck, Dr. Kronowitz utilizes a low-positioned, short incision above the pubic line. This incision allows the resulting scar to be easily concealed with underwear, bathing suits, and clothing.
Some patients may 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.
Once the incisions are made in the abdomen, localized pockets of fat are removed from the upper and lower 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 is trimmed away, and the remaining skin is pulled tight before the incisions are closed.
After the procedure is complete, patients can return home to begin their recovery process.
How Long Does a Tummy Tuck Procedure Take?
A tummy tuck takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery and if you choose to combine other cosmetic procedures with your tummy tuck.
What Can I Expect From My Tummy Tuck Recovery?
Following your tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Kronowitz will wrap your lower abdomen in a compression garment to protect the healing incision and promote blood circulation, helping to reduce bruising and swelling. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may need surgical drains in the area to allow fluid to exit and further reduce swelling; these are removed after just a few days.
You will need someone to drive you home after your tummy tuck procedure and stay with you for the first 24 hours. This is important, as you will need help with household chores, dressing, and moving around. Additionally, you will need someone to help care for children or pets, if necessary.
You can expect bruising, swelling, and some tightness and soreness in your midsection; however, these side effects will dissipate within a week or two. Any discomfort can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
Most patients can return to work and their regular, day-to-day activities around two weeks after their tummy tuck, but strenuous exercise and lifting or carrying anything over 10 pounds are restricted for at least six weeks or until cleared by Dr. Kronowitz. You will also continue to wear your compression garment 24/7 (except when showering) for up to eight weeks to help minimize swelling and support and shape your new, slimmer midsection.
The most important thing to remember during the recovery period is to follow Dr. Kronowitz’s post-operative instructions to the letter to ensure optimal results.
Do Tummy Tucks Leave Scars?
Tummy tucks do leave scars, but certain scar creams and gels, silicone scar treatments, and Vitamin E have proven effective at reducing their appearance. In addition, you should keep your blood sugar at a healthy level, avoid corticosteroids, and wear your compression garment as prescribed to further reduce the visibility of your scars.
The scar created by a tummy tuck is just above the pubic area, so it typically won’t be noticeable in a bathing suit or underwear.
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 continue to improve over the following weeks and months as the bruising and swelling subside. Many patients can expect to see their final tummy tuck results two to four months after their procedure. Your tummy tuck will result in a smoother, firmer, and more toned, contoured abdomen.
Tummy tuck results are long-lasting, but weight fluctuations can negatively affect the appearance of your abdomen. You can prolong your results by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise. 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.
How Long Do the Results of a Tummy Tuck Last?
The results of a tummy tuck can last a lifetime if you maintain a stable weight and follow a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Can a Tummy Tuck Be Combined With Other Procedures?
While many patients choose to undergo a tummy tuck as a standalone procedure, women and men looking for more comprehensive body contouring can combine their abdominoplasty with additional 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 cosmetic breast procedures, including breast augmentation surgery and breast lift surgery (mastopexy).
How Much Is a Tummy Tuck in Houston?
The total cost of a tummy tuck in Houston 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 by Dr. Kronowitz.
You will be provided with an accurate cost estimate after your consultation.
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, and Kingwood.
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