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Tummy Tuck

Abdominal Harmony

Houston Tummy Tuck with Dr. Fortes

A tummy tuck could be the answer if you’re struggling with excess abdominal skin and weakened muscles, even if you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is due to pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural aging process, a Tummy Tuck can help you address these concerns and provide a smoother and firmer midsection. Dr. Fortes and his dedicated team are committed to offering a personalized care experience and delivering natural-looking results. Together, they will guide you through every step of your aesthetic journey, helping you to regain confidence in your body. Visit Dr. Fortes to discover the possibilities of a Houston Tummy Tuck, where expertise meets compassion for a motivating experience that caters to your unique needs.

Redefined Contours

What is Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, or a “tummy tuck,” is the most common plastic surgery procedure used for men and women to flatten the stomach.

During abdominoplasty, excess skin is removed from the middle and lower abdomen, and the abdominal wall muscles are tightened. Women whose stomach muscles have become stretched after pregnancy or who have lost a large amount of weight are candidates for the tummy tuck procedure. Men who find the “spare tire” difficult to reduce also find relief from this procedure. Abdominoplasty is generally performed in one to two hours, with a recovery period of about one to two weeks. Abdominoplasty does result in a permanent scar, but Dr. Fortes can hide the scar below the bikini line. During your visit to our office in Houston, Dr. Fortes will discuss the many techniques for body contouring with you to determine your ideal solution.

Core Empowerment

What are the benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

The benefits of a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, extend beyond cosmetic improvements and can positively impact a patient's overall health. Some of the key benefits of a tummy tuck include:

  • Improved Posture: Strengthening abdominal muscles and decreased back pain can improve posture, contributing to better spinal support and overall body alignment.
  • Core Strength and Flexibility: The procedure can restore weakened core muscles, strengthen abdominal muscles, and improve overall flexibility, enhancing mobility and physical performance.
  • Healthier Weight Maintenance: Patients who undergo a tummy tuck may find it easier to maintain weight loss, particularly when combined with other weight loss surgeries such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.
  • Alleviation of Certain Medical Conditions: A tummy tuck can help alleviate stress urinary incontinence, correct hernias, and reduce pain, itching, and skin infections caused by excess skin, improving bladder function and overall comfort.

In addition to these medical benefits, patients often experience psychological rewards, such as increased confidence and a better quality of life, following a successful tummy tuck procedure. Overall, a tummy tuck offers a combination of physical and emotional benefits, making it a valuable option for individuals seeking to address both aesthetic concerns and potential health improvements.

Tummy Tuck Houston

A Flatter Stomach

Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

During your tummy tuck consultation, it is essential to engage in open and candid discussions with Dr. Fortes. Be prepared to discuss your surgical goals, medical history, current medications, and previous surgeries. Dr. Fortes will evaluate your general health status, take photographs, and discuss the potential outcomes and risks of the procedure. It's important to ask questions and address any concerns you may have about the surgery, recovery process, and expected results. A detailed pre-operative consultation lays the foundation for a successful tummy tuck procedure, and your complete candidness during the consultation is crucial for the success and safety of the surgery. To ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the tummy tuck procedure, consider bringing a checklist of questions to ask your surgeon, and don't hesitate to discuss any feelings of anxiety or excitement about the upcoming surgery.

Improved Posture,
Strength, and Flexibility

Your Tummy Tuck Procedure

The surgery typically begins with administering anesthesia for the patient's comfort. The surgeon then makes an incision between the pubic hairline and the belly button, the shape and length of which depend on the amount of excess skin. After lifting the abdominal skin, the underlying weakened muscles are repaired, and excess skin in the upper abdomen may be removed through a second incision around the navel. The remaining skin is then pulled down and sutured together, creating a flatter and firmer abdominal contour. The procedure can produce a more proportionate abdominal appearance that aligns with the patient's body type and weight. The tummy tuck is a major surgery that should not be considered as an alternative to weight loss but rather as a means to address excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, particularly for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, multiple pregnancies, or have loose skin and weakened muscles due to aging. It is important for patients to thoroughly analyze their situation and make an informed decision about undergoing the procedure. Additionally, individuals considering a tummy tuck should be in good general health and at a stable weight, and it is advisable to be a non-smoker for optimal surgical outcomes.

Toned
and Well-Defined

Tummy Tuck Results

The final results of a tummy tuck procedure may initially be obscured by swelling and the patient's inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete. However, within a week or two, patients should experience a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with their body type and weight, leading to a smoother and more toned appearance. It's important to note that significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish the results, and patients are advised to follow their physician's instructions carefully to ensure the success of the surgery. While the tummy tuck offers cosmetic benefits, such as a toned and well-defined stomach, it can also provide health benefits, including restored core strength, improved flexibility, and increased tolerance for more intense exercises, contributing to overall well-being. The longevity of tummy tuck results can be influenced by factors such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and overall lifestyle choices, and patients are encouraged to maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle to optimize the longevity of their results.

A Better Quality of Life

Tummy Tuck Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from a tummy tuck procedure is a gradual process that typically spans over six months or more. In the initial days following the surgery, patients may experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which can be managed with prescribed pain medications and ice packs to reduce swelling. It is essential for patients to follow their surgeon's detailed instructions for managing drains, changing bandages, and showering during the recovery period. Wearing a compression garment as directed can help control swelling and promote a shorter recovery period. Patients should expect to gradually ease back into their normal routine rather than resume all activities simultaneously. The recovery period may be longer for patients undergoing a traditional abdominoplasty, especially when combined with other surgical procedures. Additionally, it is common to experience numbness in the months following the procedure, which may take up to two years to fade. Following the post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon is crucial for proper healing and optimal outcomes.

Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions

Good candidates for a tummy tuck are individuals with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, often due to significant weight loss or pregnancy. It is important to be in good general health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure.

Risks of a tummy tuck may include fluid accumulation beneath the skin, diminished results due to significant weight loss post-surgery, and the potential for complications associated with general anesthesia. Discussing these risks with a board-certified plastic surgeon and diligently following pre- and post-operative care instructions is crucial.

Before and after photos can showcase the transformative results of a tummy tuck, when reviewing these photos, it's important to look for natural-looking contours and curves, as well as minimized scarring, which are indicative of skillful surgical techniques and aesthetic outcomes.

Yes, a tummy tuck can be an effective modality for removing excess abdominal tissue after significant weight loss. It aims to reduce excess skin and fat around the abdomen and strengthen the abdominal wall musculature, contributing to a more toned and slimmer appearance.

Care You Can Trust

Place your trust in deserving hands. Explore state-of-the-art options and design your personalized treatment plan with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Fortes. Your best results are within reach.