Tummy Tuck in Houston

Contoured & Confident.

Am I A Candidate?

Restoring Your Natural Silhouette.

After a major accomplishment like having children or losing weight, excess skin around the midsection can remain—and severely hinder—your self-image.

The decision to seek a tummy tuck surgeon, or any plastic surgeon in Houston, to correct sagging or loose skin can cause a lot of anxiety if you aren’t sure what to look for.

Heights Plastic Surgery offers a highly educational process that puts our patients in the driver’s seat of their own care.

Abdominoplasty

also known as: tummy tuck \ ab-DOM-uh-no-pla-stee \

Plastic surgery procedure which removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, predominantly after significant weight loss or childbirth

Procedure options: traditional tummy tuck, circumferential tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, lower body lift, extended tummy tuck, lipoabdominoplasty

Procedure Overview

Addresses

Sagging abdominal skin

Overstretched abdominal muscles

Skin elasticity

Procedure Time

2-3 hours

Eligibility

Male & Female

Non-Smoker

18+

Possible Side Effects

Pain/soreness

Swelling

Bruising

Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to FAQs

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, popularly known as the Tummy Tuck, is a surgical cosmetic procedure that addresses the loose, sagging skin around a man or woman’s midsection. In Houston, Texas, Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks perform a Tummy Tuck to safely remove the excess skin and fat from the abdomen and address aesthetic concerns due to aging, heredity, pregnancy, or significant fluctuations in weight. This procedure can restore your appearance and repair weakened and separated muscles in the midsection.

We commonly combine abdominoplasty with liposuction and skin tightening techniques to help provide a harmonious shape of the trunk and a smaller waistline. This is important to planning our Tummy Tucks because our goal is to treat the entire front and back to create a smaller waistline. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Cara Downey and Dr. Jamal Bullocks have welcomed hundreds of patients who wish to achieve smoother and firmer abdominal profiles through their expertise.

Tummy Tuck Benefits

Undergoing a Tummy Tuck can significantly enhance your quality of life by addressing various concerns and achieving aesthetic goals. Here are some benefits of this transformative procedure:

  • Improved Abdominal Contour: Say goodbye to excess skin and fat, achieving a smoother, flatter abdomen.
  • Enhanced Muscle Tone: Repair of separated abdominal muscles results in a firmer and more defined midsection.
  • Increased Confidence: Restore your self-image and feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance.
  • Clothing Fit: Enjoy a better fit in clothing, with increased comfort and confidence in form-fitting outfits.
  • Functional Improvement: Experience relief from physical discomfort associated with excess skin and weakened muscles.
  • Long-lasting Results: With proper maintenance and a healthy lifestyle, the results can be long-lasting, providing ongoing satisfaction and confidence.

Am I a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

At Heights Plastic Surgery, ideal candidates for a Tummy Tuck experience the following concerns:

  • A sagging abdominal wall
  • Overstretched abdominal muscles
  • Lessened skin elasticity in the stomach area
  • Bothered by the appearance of the abdomen
  • Stretch marks on the lower abdomen
  • Fat deposition or fatty changes in the lower abdomen

During your private consultation, Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will clarify whether or not you are a candidate for the procedure. The Tummy Tuck is usually the best option for people who want to get rid of excess skin and tighten the muscles in the midsection after already losing weight or giving birth.

How does Heights Plastic Surgery perform Tummy Tucks?

A Tummy Tuck is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about two to three hours to complete. To begin, either an anesthetic or IV sedation will be administered to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free throughout your surgery. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will then make a careful incision just above the pubic area to access the abdomen. After carefully removing excess fat and skin from the midsection, Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will tighten the muscles in the abdomen, pull the skin tight, and trim away the excess tissue.

What Tummy Tuck techniques do you offer?

Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks may use any of the following techniques to contour your body with a Tummy Tuck.

  • Traditional Tummy Tuck. If you want to improve your upper and lower abdomen, the traditional or full Tummy Tuck repairs the problem area with a horizontal or U-shaped incision made from hip bone-to-hip bone and just over the pubic hairline. Then, excess skin is removed while abdominal muscles are tightened. Though it yields a longer scar than other surgical methods, a full Tummy Tuck gives you a flatter, smoother stomach. This results in increased comfort in pants and skirts, plus more flattering silhouettes in form-fitting clothes.
  • Mini Tummy Tuck. If your issue is limited to just a protruding or unflattering lower belly, a mini Tummy Tuck may be enough to address it. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will make one short incision beneath the panty line. Loose muscles in the lower abdomen are tightened, and excess skin is removed to flatten your abdominal wall. The mini Tummy Tuck is relatively quicker than the traditional procedure, requires a shorter recovery, and produces a flattering lower belly. Liposuction of the abdomen is commonly performed to sculpt and improve the overall results.
  • Extended Tummy Tuck. For patients who desire the removal of loose abdominal skin from a wider area, the extended procedure could be a better fit than the traditional technique. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks makes a longer incision that extends from the hip to the sides of the lower back and removes the patient’s excess skin. This technique is often recommended for patients who have undergone massive weight loss.
  • Circumferential Tummy Tuck. This technique gets its name from the fact that the incision is made all around the waistline, spanning the entire lower body. The technique, also known as a lower body lift, is recommended by Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks to patients who have undergone extreme weight loss or have sagging of the outer thighs and buttocks that need to be addressed. The aim of the circumferential approach is to remove an abundance of excess fat and loose skin in problem areas such as the tummy, outer thighs, and buttocks.

Custom-Tailored Treatments. Natural Results.

Our customized approach to performing a Tummy Tuck allows us to achieve a smooth, contoured look for patients to perfectly complement their unique body structure.

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Related Procedures

Liposuction
Mommy Makeover

What to Expect

Before, During, and After Your Tummy Tuck in Houston

1. Your Consultation.

The first step for your Tummy Tuck in Houston is meeting with your physician for your personalized consultation. We’ll take time to understand your concerns and goals, go over your medical history, and carefully assess your stomach area, as well as your overall body type and skin condition.

2. Your Customized Treatment Plan.

The Houston Tummy Tuck surgeons, Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, work together on every case to give you their expert advice you on the ideal option for you: traditional Tummy Tuck, circumferential Tummy Tuck, mini Tummy Tuck, lower body lift, extended Tummy Tuck, or lipoabdominoplasty. We will put together a completely personalized treatment program which can also include non-surgical procedures to help you achieve naturally beautiful results.

3. The Best Decision for You.

We believe informed decisions lead to the most successful outcomes. Our consultations provide a comprehensive overview of your options, tailored to your unique goals, recovery timeframe, and financial considerations. We will thoroughly discuss the benefits and potential risks of each procedure to ensure you feel empowered to make the choice that best aligns with your individual needs.

4. Convenient Tummy Tuck Scheduling.

We understand the importance of scheduling flexibility for your Tummy Tuck. We will work with you to find a date and time for your abdominoplasty that best suits your needs. The procedure itself will be done in our state-of-the-art, on-site surgical center, ensuring your comfort and privacy. You can expect a recovery period of around two to three weeks.

5. Day of Surgery.

Our comprehensive pre-operative instructions will ensure you are ready for your Houston Tummy Tuck. Upon arrival at our facility, our staff will warmly greet you and guide you to our modern surgical suite. We will then provide a final, detailed overview of the procedure to address any questions you may have and ensure your comfort.

6. The Tummy Tuck Procedure.

A board-certified plastic surgeon will oversee your entire Tummy Tuck procedure, meticulously performing each step according to your personalized surgical plan. To ensure a smooth recovery, you should arrange for transportation home in advance, as driving yourself is not possible post-surgery.

7. Post-Operative Care.

Following your abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) procedure, our team will schedule a series of follow-up appointments with you. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your healing progress, ensuring optimal results, and addressing any questions or concerns you may have.

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Heights Plastic Surgery

Natural Beauty, Enhanced: Achieve Your Tummy Tuck Goals at Heights Plastic Surgery

Heights Plastic Surgery, headed by Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, specializes in helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals through Tummy Tuck procedures. We use state-of-the-art techniques and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional results. We prioritize creating a comfortable environment and exceptional patient experience, ensuring you feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck in Houston