Tummy Tuck in Houston, Bellaire, Memorial City & Cypress, TX
Restore A Firmer, Flatter Abdominal Contour
A tummy tuck can remove excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening weakened abdominal muscles. At Baylan Plastic Surgery, serving Houston, TX, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Baylan performs abdominoplasty for patients seeking improved abdominal contour after pregnancy, weight changes, or other changes to the midsection. Learn more about it here.
What Is Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a “tummy tuck,” is a surgical procedure for patients who want a flatter, firmer abdomen and improved body contour. It removes excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening weakened abdominal muscles, which can create a smoother, more defined midsection.
A tummy tuck can address loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles that may remain after pregnancy or significant weight loss. It is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss treatment, and is best suited for patients who are near their target weight.
A traditional abdominoplasty involves an incision extending from hip bone to hip bone near the pubic area. A second incision around the belly button allows the navel to be repositioned after excess tissue is removed.
What is a mini tummy tuck (partial abdominoplasty)?
Also known as a “mini tummy tuck,” a partial abdominoplasty differs from a traditional tummy tuck in that it only requires a shorter incision in a single location, the bikini line. This is often recommended to patients who only need improvement in the lower abdomen.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Houston?
An abdominoplasty is for patients who have loose skin and fat pockets in their abdomen that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Women who have been pregnant often consider an abdominoplasty because pregnancy can compromise the elasticity of the skin and muscles. Older patients whose skin is less elastic than it was in their younger years can also benefit from abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. Patients should be near their ideal weight because future weight loss can cause additional skin loss, potentially compromising the aesthetic result. Also, women anticipating becoming pregnant in the future should not have the procedure, as their pregnancy will negate the effects of the surgery.
What to Expect Before and During the Procedure
Preparing for your tummy tuck
Some of the steps you will be asked to take in the lead-up to your abdominoplasty procedure are as follows:
- If you smoke, you’ll need to stop at least six weeks before and continue abstaining for six weeks after.
- Avoid blood thinners and anti-inflammatories starting 7-10 days before and until Dr. Baylan directs otherwise.
- Do not drink any alcoholic beverages beginning three days before.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home, as you will still be recovering from the effects of anesthesia.
Your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Baylan
During a personalized abdominoplasty consultation with Dr. Baylan, the two of you will have an in-depth discussion regarding your goals. A physical examination will be performed, and photographs may be taken for before-and-after purposes.
Depending on your cosmetic objectives, he may recommend combining your tummy tuck with liposuction to remove additional fat tissue, or suggest other procedures like a breast augmentation or lift.
Dr. Baylan will also ask questions about your complete medical history. This will include information about past surgical procedures, allergies, current medications and supplements, and any pre-existing health conditions.
After gathering this information, Dr. Baylan can create a safe and customized surgical plan for your tummy tuck. He will review the process from start to finish to ensure you fully understand it.
We will discuss abdominoplasty preparation instructions, recovery care directions, and the steps of the surgical process. You are highly encouraged to ask questions at any time. At the end of your consultation, we will set a date for your abdominoplasty procedure.
How is an abdominoplasty performed?
Abdominoplasty takes around 3-5 hours to complete with the patient under general anesthesia. The duration will depend upon the extent of the surgery, which is personalized to the individual.
A traditional tummy tuck begins by creating an incision that stretches from hip bone to hip bone near the pubic area. A second incision is made around the umbilicus (belly button). The skin is separated from the muscles of the abdomen, which will then be pulled together and positioned to achieve a firmer abdomen. This also narrows the waist.
Then, the skin flap is stretched down to adjust to the tightened muscles. Any excess skin in the area is removed while the navel is repositioned to its natural place.
Recovery and Aftercare for a Tummy Tuck
After the procedure, Dr. Baylan recommends compression garments to help the skin and muscles adapt to their new contours. A drainage tube will be placed in the wound to prevent fluid build-up in the area. Recovery can take from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
Patients need to limit strenuous activities for six weeks. Most patients take about a month off work after an abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty results
After an abdominoplasty, patients are left with a more toned, contoured abdomen that naturally fits the rest of their body. Not only does this improve their appearance, but it also improves confidence as they look and feel fitter and more comfortable in their own skin. Outcomes will continue to improve over time, as the body adapts to the changes.
To keep results consistent and avoid the need for a follow-up treatment in the future, patients are encouraged to maintain a healthy body weight through proper diet and exercise. Scars will be present and Dr. Baylan makes sure the incision is made low enough so that it can be concealed by a bikini. Also, a post-operative scar regimen will be implemented to maximize the healing of the scar.
Benefits of A Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck may help you:
- Remove excess abdominal skin and fat
- Tighten weakened abdominal muscles
- Create a firmer, flatter abdomen
- Improve abdominal contour after pregnancy or weight changes
- Address loose tissue that does not respond to lifestyle changes
Tummy Tuck Cost in Houston, Bellaire, Memorial City & Cypress
The cost of a tummy tuck procedure varies from patient to patient based on the details of their surgical plan. The patient’s needs and goals can affect the overall price of the surgery, as can anesthesia fees, the techniques used, total surgical time, the amount of tissue removed, and other factors.
Why Choose Baylan Plastic Surgery For Your Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Joseph Baylan is a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with extensive training in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery training at Stanford, followed by an additional craniofacial fellowship at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute and Pediatric Plastic Surgery Institute, where he gained advanced experience in complex reconstruction and aesthetic surgery.
His background includes experience in aesthetic surgery of the body, breast, and face, as well as reconstructive and microvascular surgery. Dr. Baylan has also published peer-reviewed articles, written book chapters, and lectured on plastic surgery topics.
At Baylan Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX, he takes a patient-focused approach, discussing your goals, surgical options, and expected results before developing your treatment plan. His extensive surgical training supports careful attention to abdominal contour, proportion, and natural-looking results.
Before & After Gallery Tummy Tuck
