Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)
Women or men who are bothered by the appearance of sagging skin around their midsection or having loose abdominal muscles following weight loss or pregnancy, may consider tummy tuck cosmetic surgery. Clinically called abdominoplasty, the procedure can be tailored to meet the specific aesthetic needs and goals of a patient.
As a part of tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon will usually remove loose skin, remove unwanted fat deposits, and tighten the underlying weak abdominal muscles. The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery is a leading practice providing tummy tuck and other procedures to patients in Houston, TX and surrounding communities.
Suitable Candidates
Adults who are unhappy with the appearance of loose or droopy skin around the abdomen, and carry excess fat deposits in the midsection which are resistant to diet or exercise, may make tremendous candidates for tummy tuck plastic surgery. The candidate should be in good general health, be a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking several weeks in advance, and have realistic expectations from the procedure.
Tummy Tuck Variants
A number of variations are available in tummy tuck procedure. The cosmetic surgeon will explain the different options, and help the patient make the right choice. The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery receives patients from Houston, TX and nearby locations for tummy tuck surgery.
Traditional Tummy Tuck: This procedure will involve a hip to hip incision along with incisions around the navel area. The procedure is commonly combined with liposuction, and is designed to address the entire abdominal area.
Partial Tummy Tuck: Partial or mini tummy tuck may be recommended for patients who only require improvements in the abdominal portion below the navel. The procedure involves a single incision, and does not include repositioning of the navel.
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck: The procedure involves the insertion of tiny camera attached to an endoscope to perform the procedure in a more targeted manner. The technique results in minimal scarring, and typically used for patients with separated abdominal muscles at the midline of the belly.
Extended Tummy Tuck: This technique can treat an area larger than traditional tummy tuck, and involves the removal of love handles on either side of the waist in addition to fat and skin reduction in the belly region.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck: If the patient has undergone massive weight loss, resulting in large amounts of loose skin, a circumferential tummy tuck may be performed to restore a firmer, tighter abdomen.
Tummy tuck surgery can take several hours, depending on the type of technique chosen. An experienced surgeon will be able to keep the scarring visibility minimal by placing incisions in discreet locations. The procedure may be performed with the patient under general anesthesia or IV sedation.
Recovery
Patients should follow the surgeon’s instructions diligently in order to ensure safer and faster healing. The downtime involved in tummy tuck may usually be around 10 to 14 days. Moderate walking can be done along with light physical activity at home during this period to aid healing. However, vigorous exercises and lifting of heavy weights, heavy grocery bags, a small child, a vacuum cleaner, for example, should be avoided for at least a month.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.