Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that can restore a smoother, flatter, and more sculpted abdomen and waist.

Over time, events such as pregnancy and weight fluctuations can alter the appearance and structure of the body. The skin can stretch until it is inelastic and hangs down, stubborn fat deposits can accumulate around the stomach and waist, and your abdominal muscles may separate and weaken. While you may be able to address certain concerns through lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercising, many patients find that these interventions are not effective against these lasting changes. By undergoing a tummy tuck, you can address each of these concerns and restore a more defined and youthful-looking shape, transforming the appearance of your figure.

myHoustonSurgeons is a leading cosmetic and reconstructive practice in Southeast Texas. Our team of surgeons each brings a wealth of experience and knowledge working with the breasts, body, and face, allowing you to address what concerns you most. No matter what procedure you receive, or how striking or subtle you want your results to be, you can feel confident working with someone who truly wants the best for you.

To learn more, please contact us online or call (713) 587-6553. We offer consultations at both our Houston and The Woodlands offices.

Before and After Photos

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About Tummy Tucks

Tummy tucks are surgical body contouring procedures that can remove unwanted skin and fat from around the abdomen. ⁽¹⁾ This procedure is often performed after a significant weight loss transformation or pregnancy to help patients restore smoother skin, a stronger pelvic wall, more defined curves, as well as a more sculpted silhouette overall.

Types of Tummy Tuck Available

Our team can perform several different variations of tummy tucks to address a range of needs. During your personal consultation, your surgeon will meet with you to discuss which approach will be the most effective for achieving your goals. Options include full tummy tucks, mini tummy tucks, extended mini tummy tucks, extended tummy tucks, fleur-de-lis tummy tucks and circumferential tummy tucks. All of these procedures can include liposuction, often performed using VASER. No procedure is better than any others, as each one offers its own unique results and benefits.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck, or traditional tummy tuck, addresses concerns found above and below the navel to help you achieve a more toned appearance overall.

In this variation, your surgeon will place an incision that extends from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. They will then proceed to tighten your abdominal muscles to restore their strength, as well as remove excess skin and fat. If necessary, they will also reposition your navel to a more central and proportionate location.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck addresses loose skin and fat below the navel only. ⁽²⁾ This procedure is ideal if you have minimal skin laxity and do not require any muscle plication.

When performing this variation, your surgeon will place an incision at the very top of the pubic area. This incision will be slightly shorter compared to that of the full tummy tuck. They will then proceed to remove your skin and minimize the amount of fat in the region, often with liposuction.

Extended Mini Tummy Tuck

An extended mini tummy tuck is a specialized procedure which addresses a small amount of loose skin of the abdomen, but can also address muscle laxity. It is best for someone with minimal skin excess but the bulge of muscles from previous pregnancy. This procedure requires an incision which is shorter than a standard tummy tuck and is also at the top of the pubic area. It allows tightening of the abdominal muscles all the way up to the breastbone. As this is a very specialized procedure, it is not offered at most practices, but is at MyHoustonSurgeons.

Extended, fleur-de-lis and circumferential Tummy Tucks

These are options which are generally offered for patients who have a history of massive weight loss and a large amount of extra abdominal and back skin. Which option is right for each patient depends on how much and where they carry their extra skin. At your consultation, the surgeon at MyHoustonSurgeons will discuss which option is right for you and your anatomy.

Candidates

You may want to consider a tummy tuck if you have found yourself struggling with the lasting effects of pregnancy or weight loss, including:

Our ideal candidate will possess good overall health and hold realistic expectations regarding their results. They should be at a stable and maintainable weight and have no future childbearing plans. It is also important that they lead a nicotine- and tobacco-free lifestyle. Our surgical team will assess each patient’s candidacy during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step toward transforming your figure is attending a personal consultation at either our Houston or The Woodlands office. During this meeting, your plastic surgeon will thoroughly review your medical history, learn more about your desired results, and perform a physical assessment. Using this information, they will then finalize your candidacy and determine which technique will best help you achieve your goals.

As your surgeon creates your personalized treatment plan, they will explain each aspect of it, including how to prepare, how they will perform it, and what you can expect from your recovery. Our surgeons will also be happy to answer and address any questions or concerns you may have. This visit is meant to be informative, and you can expect to leave feeling confident about what is to come.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation, please feel free to contact us online. You may also reach both of our offices directly by calling (888) 463-9532.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your procedure, your surgeon will provide you with a full set of preparation instructions. These may vary depending on certain procedural details, but you can expect to be directed to:

By following these directions, you can ensure your readiness as well as a safe and successful procedure.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, your surgeon will answer any remaining questions you have before cleansing your skin and marking out the targeted treatment area. They will then bring you to the operating room, where you will receive general anesthesia to ensure you are comfortably asleep.

Your surgeon will then proceed to perform each step of your tummy tuck. These steps will vary, but they may include muscle plication, removing excess skin, eliminating your fat, and tightening the skin that remains. If there are large fat deposits in the region, they may also perform liposuction with or without use of VASER. Once your surgeon has completed each of your corrections, they will carefully suture each incision shut before transporting you to the recovery suite for a brief rest.

Recovery

Our surgical team performs each tummy tuck on an outpatient basis, which means that you will return home on the same day of your procedure. You can expect to experience some initial swelling, bruising, and general discomfort which will resolve over time. These side effects are temporary and will subside as you continue to recover, but you can manage them using prescribed medications and plenty of rest. You will also be sent home in a compression garment, which you will need to wear for at least six weeks. This specialized garment will help avoid fluid buildup and support your abdomen as your tissues continue healing.

After approximately one to two weeks of rest, your surgeon may allow you to return to your career and other non-strenuous activities. However, you will need to refrain from anything physically demanding for several more weeks, or until they have told you otherwise. Recovery for most of our patients is generally six weeks, but this may vary depending on your pain levels, the complexity of your procedure, and how quickly your body heals itself.

Your surgeon will provide you with written aftercare instructions during your preoperative visit. If any questions or concerns arise, the myHoustonSurgeons team will be available and happy to provide you with any guidance you need.

Results

After recovering, you will be able to enjoy the full results of your tummy tuck. While they will vary, you can expect your stomach to appear flatter and more toned, your waist will be more defined, and your skin will look and feel smoother and tighter.

The results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting, with effects that can last for many, many years. You will need to maintain a stable weight to preserve your results, as fluctuations will alter their appearance in the long term.

Cost of Tummy Tucks in Houston, Texas

The cost of your tummy tuck will vary, as our surgical team customizes each plan to the patient and their unique concerns. Once you and your surgeon have established your treatment plan during your consultation, our staff will discuss your financial obligations with you.

FAQ

References

1. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 24, 2023. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/#article-17029.s4
2. Daniel El Israwi, Watfa W. Rectus Muscle Plication in Mini-abdominoplasty with Umbilicus Preservation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2023;11(5):e4998-e4998. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000004998
3. Laser Lipo Machine | Smartlipo® Triplex® | Cynosure. Cynosure Lutronic. Published September 9, 2018. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.cynosure.com/product/smartlipo-triplex/