Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure used to flatten and shape the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck in Houston is an ideal procedure for women who have pockets of fat and loose skin that have not responded to traditional reduction efforts like diet and exercise. Abdominoplasty is frequently performed on women after pregnancy with striae (stretch marks) and excess skin, and on men and women after significant weight loss from diet, exercise, or surgery. For this reason, it is often a procedure done as part of post-bariatric surgery or a mommy makeover.
Dr. Erika Sato has been providing tummy tucks in Houston for patients who want to improve their appearance by getting rid of the excess loose skin on their abdomen. She will be happy to help you achieve effective abdominal contouring.
During your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Erika Sato, you will find out if a tummy tuck is right for you. She will explain in detail what type of abdominoplasty will be best for you. A partial or mini tummy tuck is possible for patients whose fat and excess skin are isolated below the navel (belly button), while a full abdominoplasty treats the entire abdominal area.
You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if you are healthy and over 18 years old. If you have realistic goals then a tummy tuck is just right for you. Non-smokers are also good candidates for abdominoplasty.
If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight or if you plan to become pregnant, Dr. Sato will advise you to wait before undergoing the procedure, as further weight loss or pregnancies could reverse the benefits of abdominoplasty.
Once you’re scheduled for a tummy tuck, Dr. Sato will give you instructions about how to prepare for the procedure. Medications may need to be taken, or your current medications might be adjusted. You will be advised to stop smoking and to avoid inflammatory drugs and supplements that increase bleeding. It is recommended to bring a driver with you on the day of your procedure.
A tummy tuck is usually an outpatient procedure done under local anesthetic and IV sedation at our in-office operating room or under general anesthesia at an ambulatory surgery center. The procedure is highly customized based on your needs, so the length of surgery can vary greatly. On average, a tummy tuck takes around two to four hours to complete.
For a mini abdominoplasty, a single small incision will be used for the entire procedure. For a full abdominoplasty, Dr. Sato will make an incision from one hip bone to the other, low along the pubic hair line. There might be another incision around the belly button.
She will remove the excess skin, tighten and repair the abdominal muscles, and reshape the abdominal silhouette. Liposuction will be used to remove excess fat, and the navel is retained in its proper location. She will then close the incisions to complete the procedure.
After the surgery, your abdomen will be bandaged and a compression garment will be worn to help reduce swelling. You will experience some soreness, bruising, and swelling, which are only temporary and can be minimized for your comfort. If subcutaneous drains were placed intra-operatively, you will be provided with drain teaching. Most people take 10 days to 2 weeks off from work for their recovery. Heavy lifting (> 10 lbs) and strenuous activity are discouraged for 4-6 weeks. Dr. Sato will give you full instructions for post-operative care and will monitor your progress during follow-up visits. She will make sure that your body is healing properly and that the recovery process is on schedule. She will inform you when you are fit to resume normal physical activities, including work and exercise. There will be some scarring from either full or partial abdominoplasty but these will fade significantly over time and can usually be hidden under clothing including swim wear and lingerie.
The price of an abdominoplasty is impacted by a number of factors. The techniques utilized, the length of the procedure, and the amount of tissue removed all play a role in determining the cost of a tummy tuck. Insurance companies will not cover the cost of the procedure. To aid in payment, we offer financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Patient Payment Plans in order to make all of our procedures as affordable as possible.
To find out more about the tummy tuck in Houston and what it can do for you, contact us and schedule a consultation with Dr. Erika Sato. During a consultation, patients can look over tummy tuck before and after photos and can ask any questions they may have.
