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Abdominoplasty Specialist

Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic Surgery located in Houston, TX

If you’ve got extra skin and fat below the navel after significant weight loss, aging, or childbirth, an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, may be exactly what you need. At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery in Houston, experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Sumpter removes the excess skin and adds a suturing technique that returns your weakened abdominal muscles to their ideal position, giving you the trim-looking tummy that you thought you’d never see again! Use the online appointment booker or call the office for your abdominoplasty consultation today.

Abdominoplasty Q & A

Is abdominoplasty right for me?

Abdominoplasty, aka tummy tuck, can be a good option if you're unhappy with the appearance of your lower abdominal area due to sagging skin and extra fat. You may have extra skin below your navel after major weight loss, after having a baby, or simply due to aging. Unfortunately, extra skin isn't something you can diet or exercise away, so that's where an abdominoplasty can come in.  

You need to have good health overall to have a tummy tuck. If you’re on a weight loss journey, it’s best to wait until you near your target weight before having the surgery since further weight loss could leave more loose skin. Similarly, it’s generally best to wait until you’re finished having children to have an abdominoplasty.

Is liposuction the same as a tummy tuck?

No, liposuction is a fat removal procedure that doesn’t impact your loose skin. Liposuction can be an excellent choice for fat deposits without loose skin, but most men and women who are unhappy with their lower abdomen have both loose skin and extra fat. 

Liposuction can work very well in combination with an abdominoplasty. For example, many patients of Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery have abdominoplasty to flatten their tummy along with liposuction to remove fat from the upper abdomen and love handles/flanks. 

How does abdominoplasty work?

The exact approach depends on what type of abdominoplasty you need. Patients who need only a minor correction (central collection of loose skin and fat) may have a mini-abdominoplasty, which has a shorter incision and removes a minimal amount of skin and fat. 

Most patients have a full tummy tuck, in which Dr. Sumpter uses internal sutures to restore abdominal muscles to their proper positions. She trims away the excess skin and fat below the belly button and then positions the skin to give them the smoothest and flattest tummy possible. 

Dr. Sumpter creates the incision in the most subtle possible area, which means that concealing the scar with underwear or a bikini bottom is possible. The scar will fade over time. 

How long is abdominoplasty recovery?

You wear an abdominal binder home from surgery, and Dr. Sumpter recommends wearing it throughout recovery to minimize swelling and bruising. If you also have liposuction, you will wear a compression garment to cover those areas. You can typically resume light activity within a couple of weeks after a tummy tuck, and most patients fully recover in six to eight weeks. 

Want a flat tummy? Schedule your tummy tuck consultation online or by calling Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery today.