Tummy Tuck in Houston, TX
- OVERVIEW
- CONSULTATION
- PROCEDURE
- RECOVERY
- COMBINING PROCEDURES
Have pregnancy and weight changes left you with a flabby abdomen? Do you desire a flatter firmer tummy? If yes, a tummy tuck procedure (also called stomach tuck or tummy surgery) may be what you need to realize your dream. Medically termed abdominoplasty, this is a surgical procedure that improves the contour of your stomach.
Tummy surgery is often desired by patients in Houston after they have lost weight, after pregnancy, or due to aging. During the procedure excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and the muscles of the stomach are tightened by a plastic surgeon. The belly button is moved into a new more attractive position.
Schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bachilo today to learn how you can have a slimmer silhouette and a more appealing abdomen you have been dreaming of.
What to Expect During Abdominoplasty Consultation?
Dr. Bachilo will review your medical history, perform an exam, and listen to what you would like to achieve. She will offer different options for treatment and together with you design the best tummy tuck plan to attain your ideal result, whether you desire a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck. Dr. Bachilo will discuss any risks related to the procedure and give you instructions on how to best get ready for your operation. Your tummy tuck options in Houston include a traditional, full tummy tuck, drainless tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, or non-surgical options. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Bachilo will recommend the option that is best suited to your unique needs.
How Is Abdominoplasty Performed?
The traditional tummy tuck is done at an outpatient surgical center or a hospital under general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours and patients may go home or chose to stay at the hospital overnight.
An incision is made in your lower tummy and around the navel. Skin and fat are raised. Loose tummy muscles are tightened with stitches to produce a flatter belly. Excess skin and fat are removed and the incision is closed with all absorbable sutures. The incision around the belly button is also closed. Most of the time two drains are placed in the abdomen. An abdominal binder is used for support.
What to Expect During Tummy Tuck Recovery?
It is normal to experience some pain and mostly tightness in the abdomen. You will feel like there is a corset around your torso. You will have some bruising and swelling as well.
Dr. Bachilo will follow you closely during your recovery. Your drains will be removed within the first week or two. Sutures do not need to be removed as they will all be absorbable.
Dos and don’ts after abdominoplasty:
- Do wear your surgical compression garment or abdominal binder for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Ambulate early after your tummy tuck surgery.
- Don’t do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Don’t drive while taking your narcotic pain medications.
Six weeks after surgery you can resume all of your regular activities including exercise and core training.
Can Tummy Tuck Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Abdominoplasty is often combined with adjunct surgical procedures such as body lift and liposuction. Abdominoplasty is also one of the procedures within the mommy makeover.
Liposuction
To further improve torso contour, liposuction of the hips and flanks can safely be performed at the same time as the abdominoplasty.
Body Lift
Specifically indicated for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, circumferential body lift removes excess tissue on hips and buttocks, and can safely be combined with a full tummy tuck. The procedure begins with the patient lying on their tummy and excision of the back and hip excess tissues is done first. The patient is then turned on the back and a full abdominoplasty is performed.
Mommy Makeover
The term mommy makeover is used for a combination of procedures that usually involves a full tummy tuck and breast surgery. Breast procedure of choice may be breast reduction, breast augmentation with implants, breast lift, or a combination of lift with implants.
Schedule your free consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bachilo today and start enjoying your new slimmer silhouette!
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after pregnancy can I have an abdominoplasty?
You should wait at least one year after giving birth prior to undergoing a tummy tuck. Pregnancy causes a multitude of physiologic changes in a woman's body, this, in turn, causes tissues and skin looseness. You should wait to have your body return to the pre-pregnancy state before having surgery. Also, if you desire to have more children, it is advisable to wait to have a tummy tuck after you are done with having children. History of a tummy tuck will not impede a woman from carrying a healthy pregnancy to term, however, pregnancy can loosen the tummy again and undo previously achieved results.
What do tummy tuck scars look like?
Tummy tuck scar is placed low in the abdomen from hip to hip. If you wear a particularly low style of bikini, it would be helpful if you bring it with you the day of your surgery so that Dr. Bachilo can do your surgical marking in the garment to ensure that the incision is concealed within the garment. Sometimes a small vertical incision is also needed. There will also be a scar around the navel once it’s put in the new position. Unless you have scars and know how your body heals, it is difficult to predict how your scars will heal. Many things influence final scar appearance, but genetics is the most important factor for the ultimate scar appearance.
After the incision is well healed, scar management can begin with silicon-containing products to help mature and improve the appearance of scars. Dr. Bachilo will instruct you when you can start scar management after all of your incisions are healed. She will also recommend some scar management options and may recommend some scar products to try.
Can I have a tummy tuck with no drains?
Two drains are frequently used during abdominoplasty and secured to the skin with sutures. Drains stay in for about a week or two and, and the patient is instructed on drain care and how to measure drain amounts. Drains prevent fluid collection in the abdomen. Certain patients may be good candidates for drain free abdominoplasty. Dr. Bachilo uses a specialized technique during a tummy tuck. She places special sutures, called progressive tension sutures, inside the tummy which helps to decrease the amount of fluid accumulation and thus decrease the need for drains. Dr. Bachilo can make recommendations on whether your tummy tuck can be a drain free tummy tuck.
What is an abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck is the name for excess stomach skin removal surgery. It's a cosmetic procedure in which excess loose skin and fat from the belly are removed and the loose midsection muscles are tightened.
What is the cost of tummy tuck in Houston, Texas?
The price of tummy tuck in Houston varies depending on the extent of the procedure and the time it will take. Other factors affecting the cost of abdominoplasty is the setting in which the procedure is performed, such as office-based surgery vs. hospital, and the surgical techniques used. The average total cost one may expect to pay for a tummy tuck cosmetic surgery is $8,500 for the low-cost tummy tuck to $10,000 on the higher end, which will include the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, and the anesthesia fee.
What is diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti are the loosening of tummy muscles that is common after pregnancy or after significant weight gain and loss. Diastasis recti are repaired during a tummy tuck procedure.
Am I a good candidate for tummy tuck?
The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is anyone looking to improve the appearance of their abdomen and has sufficient laxity to necessitate surgery. The patient also needs to be in good health to proceed with this elective procedure.
Are there alternatives to tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck addresses loose abdominal skin and fat that is not amenable to less invasive procedures. Alternatives to tummy tuck include liposuction, CoolSculpting, Venus Legacy and other less invasive body contouring procedures. While all of these will target fat and skin to some extent, none of them help to tighten loose tummy muscles. Dr. Bachilo will recommend whether you are a better patient for surgical or non-surgical tummy tuck options.
Will I need general anesthesia during tummy tuck?
General anesthesia is usually used for tummy tuck surgery.
Where will my tummy tuck surgery be performed?
Tummy tuck surgery is performed in an outpatient surgery center or the hospital. A tummy tuck patient may go home the same day, but an overnight stay is also available.
How long is an abdominoplasty procedure?
Tummy tuck surgery is usually about two and a half to three hours.
Where will incision be placed for tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty incision is positioned low on the abdomen to hide well in an undergarment and is hip to hip in length. There is also an incision around the navel.
Will my scars be visible after a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty incision is positioned low on the abdomen to hide well in an undergarment and is hip to hip in length. There is also an incision around the navel. Tummy tuck scar is usually well hidden in any undergarment or bikini. The only scar that may be slightly visible is the one around the navel.
Will I have a lot of pain after my tummy tuck?
You will have some discomfort after your abdominoplasty surgery, but you will be given prescriptions for pain medications and muscle relaxants. Pain improved rapidly over a few days and the procedure is very well tolerated.
Are there any risks with abdominoplasty?
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Risks of tummy tuck surgery are bleeding, infection, permanent sensation changes, poor scarring or wound healing problems, and dissatisfaction with final appearance necessitating revision surgery.
How long is tummy tuck recovery?
Abdominoplasty recovery is about two weeks. You will need to continue to be careful and restrict strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks.
What to expect during abdominoplasty recovery?
You will have regular follow-ups with the doctor after your surgery. You will have some pain, swelling, and bruising, all of which will improve rapidly over the first week. If you have draining tubes, you will be instructed how to care for those and will have them removed by the doctor about a week after surgery.
What is a drain-less tummy tuck?
Drainless abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is the same procedure as a regular tummy tuck, only the surgeon uses a specialized closure technique that allows for less potential space for fluid to accumulate, and therefore draining tubes are not needed. Dr. Bachilo performs drainless tummy tucks for her patients who are good candidates for this procedure.
When can I return to work after my tummy tuck?
Most patients are able to return to work one to two weeks after their abdominoplasty.
When can I start exercise after abdominoplasty?
Light exercise for legs and arms can be started as early as two weeks after tummy tuck surgery, but any strenuous activity and core training needs to be postponed for 6 weeks. When resuming exercise after tummy tuck it is important to start slow and listen to your body.
How can I finance my tummy tuck in Houston?
You can finance your tummy tuck surgery as well as any other plastic surgery procedure in Houston, Texas. We offer financing through CareCredit and you can enjoy your new shape with a low monthly payment plan.
Are you looking for tummy tuck houston in house financing?
At Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, we offer in house financing for your Houston, Bellaire, Sugar Land, and other neighboring communities tummy tuck patients. You may make low monthly payments towards your surgery up to the date of your procedure.