Tummy Tuck in The Woodlands, TX

For adults, hanging skin and excess fat throughout the abdominal region can be frustrating and challenging despite attempts to reduce it. Pregnancy, weight loss, and aging are the main reasons why an individual may not be able to attain a tighter and slimmer stomach. An abdominoplasty is a body contouring surgery that reshapes the abdominal region, producing extraordinary results for patients. The Woodlands, TX board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Gordon performs tummy tuck surgery that varies on the condition of the abdomen. This popular surgery at Gordon Plastic Surgery allows patients the opportunity to have a gorgeous new figure and more confidence. Read more about how an abdominoplasty can eliminate excess fat and skin while also tightening the abdominal muscles before contacting us for your consultation.

Tummy tuck surgery can be offered to both women and men. If you battle loose skin, as well as unwanted fat in the tummy section, this surgical treatment can help create a tighter and slimmer appearance. Dr. Gordon recommends you to be at a normal weight prior to surgery. Tummy tuck surgery is not a procedure to help you lose weight — it surgically corrects loose skin. A form of liposuction is often incorporated during the procedure to eliminate fat. If your tummy section has healthy skin laxity, but you are still unhappy with your appearance even though you have worked to lose weight, you may be a better candidate for liposuction. Women considering this treatment should be past pregnancy so that the results are not affected.

Body contouring of the abdomen is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. There are numerous surgical options that come into consideration when this surgery is performed by Dr. Gordon, which is applied toward the individual's current condition. For starters, the incision shape is selected based upon the amount of excess skin. Some patients with an abundance of lax skin may require an extended tummy tuck. A full or extended tummy tuck makes the incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic region. Some individuals with minimal skin laxity may be better candidates for a less invasive technique. These individuals still benefit from skin tightening but will simply receive a smaller scar. Regardless of the method, all abdominoplasty procedures at Gordon Plastic Surgery involve the excision of hanging skin and fat removal.

When abdominoplasty surgery is completed, you will be carefully examined and sent home wearing a compression device to help control swelling. Standing upright and walking will be challenging at first so you should take it easy for a couple of days. Resuming normal movement becomes easier once the abdominal muscles adjust and the incision begins to heal. You can resume normal activities around two weeks. Workouts can resume later, closer to six weeks or earlier if you are cleared by Dr. Gordon. The abdomen will feel sore and tight, but you will feel normal after recovering.

What type of tummy tuck should I get?
There are three most common types of abdominoplasty: full, extended, and mini. During your consultation, Dr. Gordon will listen to your concerns and goals before examining your stomach. Then, he can help you decide which tummy tuck will produce your best results. A full tummy tuck is better if you want to address issues in the lower and upper abdomen, whereas a mini tummy tuck is good for concerns below your belly button, like a "pooch." The extended technique is designed to improve the abdomen, plus your hips and upper thighs.

What will my scars look like?
Incisions for your abdominoplasty will depend on which type you are getting. For all tummy tucks, Dr. Gordon makes the thinnest incisions needed to limit scars. He also makes incisions in areas that are less visible (through the belly button or in the pubic region) so they may be easily concealed by underwear or a swimsuit. Following your tummy tuck, it is important to follow your scar care instructions so your sutures heal flat and blend into your natural skin.

Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
Although you can still get pregnant following an abdominoplasty, it will likely affect your results. Dr. Gordon recommends that you be finished with planned pregnancies and childbirth before you consider an abdominoplasty. If you do become pregnant following a tummy tuck, a second surgery may be done to refresh your stomach.

Can I get a tummy tuck with another surgery?
A lot of patients combine a second cosmetic surgery with abdominoplasty to see more dramatic results. At your initial consultation with Dr. Gordon, talk to him about your concerns so a unique surgical plan may be created to match your aesthetic goals. You might combine abdominoplasty with a thighplasty for a lower body lift or several areas for body contouring. If you are trying to rejuvenate your body after pregnancy or losing a lot of weight, you may be a good candidate for after weight loss surgery or a mommy makeover.

A variety of factors can result in a stretched-out stomach that leaves behind loose folds of skin. We know it can be a daily struggle — surgery is usually the primary way to overcome this. If you are bothered by the loose skin in your abdomen, regardless of the severity, tummy tuck surgery by Dr. Gordon in The Woodlands, TX can help you get the body you desire. Please contact Gordon Plastic Surgery to learn more.