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Tummy Tuck

in Houston, TX

Abdominal Harmony

Houston Tummy Tuck with Dr. Fortes

With the tummy tuck Houston residents could have the answer they're looking for, 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. Houston plastic surgeon, Paul F. Fortes MD, 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 Paul F. Fortes MD Plastic Surgery in Houston, where a high level 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.

Discover the Treatment That's Right for You

Types of Tummy Tucks

Every individual is unique, and so is each tummy tuck procedure. Whether it's subtle refining with a mini tummy tuck or a more comprehensive contouring with an extended tummy tuck, your procedure should be tailored precisely to your desired contours and curves. Dr. Fortes will assist you in selecting from various tummy tuck techniques and personalizing your surgery to align with your specific goals and anatomy.

Mini Tummy Tuck

This procedure is a subtle but transformative option for those seeking to restore and enhance their natural beauty in the lower abdomen. With minimal scarring, it provides long-lasting results that help improve self-confidence.

Traditional (Full) Tummy Tuck

The traditional tummy tuck is designed to empower patients by addressing the entire abdomen, resulting in a beautifully rejuvenated midsection. This procedure helps restore muscle tone and creates enduring results that build self-assurance and enhance emotional well-being.

Extended Tummy Tuck

For people needing more comprehensive contouring, the extended tummy tuck delivers life-changing, transformative outcomes by targeting the abdomen, flanks, and lower back. This procedure helps patients feel more confident, nurturing a sense of self-worth while respecting their unique beauty and body goals.

Core Empowerment

What are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

The benefits of a tummy tuck 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, TX  Houston

Hear From Real Patients

"Dr. Fortes is unbelievably talented!!! I had a tummy tuck done, and his work was beautiful! I get compliments on my scar... no one thinks I just had this done in June. He and his staff are very professional and welcoming. From start to finish, it was a great experience! I've already referred him to friends and family and will be back myself in the future!!! Thank you for making me feel so good about myself Dr. Fortes!!!"

— Morgan B., Houston, TX,
Tummy Tuck Patient

"Dr. Fortes did my tummy tuck and lipo back in 2005. He was awwwesome! He explained everything he was going to do before the surgery. My husband was even comfortable with his bedside manner. Dr. Fortes is so good at what he does that I didn't have any bruises on me after surgery. I would recommend Dr. Fortes."

— Debbie M., Houston, TX,
Tummy Tuck Patient

"Dr. Fortes did an amazing job on my neck lift and tummy tuck. The results exceeded my expectations. His staff is knowledgeable and attentive. The care at the surgery center was excellent. My recovery from both procedures was easier than I anticipated. I would highly recommend him."

— Flo L., Houston, TX,
Tummy Tuck Patient

"Dr Paul Fortes and his staff are true gems. They listen to the wants and needs of their patients. From the consultation to the office visit, the operating room, and recovery, they maintained the highest level of professionalism.… I had a breast implant exchange, lipo everywhere, body tightening to the abdomen, and a mini tummy tuck. The results are amazing. The care was amazing. Dr Fortes is compared to Picasso because his attention to detail is spot on. Truly one of the best surgical experiences I have ever had."

— Elizabeth C., Houston, TX,
Tummy Tuck Patient

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 Fortes' Houston 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.

Tummy Tuck 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.

Most patients can return to work within 2-3 weeks, depending on the nature of their job.

Typically, a compression garment is worn for about 4-6 weeks to support healing.

Yes, tummy tucks are often combined with other procedures like liposuction or breast surgery.

Scarring is expected but typically fades over time and can be concealed beneath most clothing.

A tummy tuck may remove stretch marks located on the lower abdomen where excess skin is removed.

While a tummy tuck does not do anything to prevent pregnancy, it is recommended to complete your plans for a family before undergoing the procedure, as future pregnancies can affect results.

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.