Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Houston

Types of Tummy Tucks

With Dr. Newall, a tummy tuck is never one-size-fits-all. He offers a variety of techniques customized to your unique concerns and goals:

Mini Tummy Tuck

Houston men and women with minimal excess skin and sagging benefit from this modified tummy tuck approach. A mini tummy tuck:

• Exclusively targets the area below the belly button
• Involves a smaller incision on the lower abdomen
• Has a quicker recovery window

Dr. Newall will determine your candidacy for this alternate tummy tuck approach during your private consultation.

Standard (Full) Tummy Tuck

A full or “traditional” tummy tuck uses a more extensive approach than a mini tummy tuck to slim and contour the waistline.

• Addresses the entire abdominal area (above and below the belly button)
• Incisions are made between the hip bones along the lower abdomen and around the belly button
• Removes excess skin, tightens abdominal muscles, and reshapes the belly button

A full tummy tuck is typically a go-to approach for patients frustrated by excess fat and sagging skin after pregnancy or weight loss.

Extended Tummy Tuck

True to its name, an extended abdominoplasty accomplishes the same goals as a standard tummy tuck for patients who require more extensive correction.

• A longer horizontal incision stretches across the lower belly and around the hips
• Liposuction is commonly used
• Abdominal muscles are tightened, and the belly button is repositioned

This advanced approach effectively sculpts the waist, flanks, and hips. It is usually suitable for patients frustrated by an excessive amount of loose, sagging skin after multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss.

Your Tummy Tuck Recovery

While every patient varies, typical tummy tuck recovery usually involves a few weeks of downtime before you can resume regular activities. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:

First week after surgery:

• Prioritize rest and healing, but get up and walk on day 1 to maintain circulation
• Let trusted friends or family assist with household chores and caregiving duties
• You may have temporary drains at the incision site to monitor and manage
• Take pain medications as directed by Dr. Newall
• Refrain from strenuous activity and heavy lifting (including lifting small children)
• You may receive a home care visit if you’re within our ZIP code range
• Wear a compression garment to minimize swelling
• Sleep on your back with your torso and head elevated and your body slightly bent

Week 2

• Swelling and soreness should have peaked and begin subsiding
• You should no longer need prescription pain medication
• Drains have been removed
• You can walk more upright
• You’ll continue wearing a compression garment
• Continue to keep your incisions clean and prioritize rest and healing

Weeks 3 to 4

• Return to nonstrenuous work and light activities
• Swelling continues to subside
• You’ll feel more “normal,” but be mindful not to push yourself too hard as you reintroduce daily activities

Weeks 4 to 6

• You can stop wearing a compression garment
• Resume stomach sleeping (as cleared by Dr. Newall)
• Resume sexual intercourse (after 6 weeks)
• Resume more vigorous workouts (but wait 6 months before doing crunches or sit-ups)

3 to 6 Months

• The majority of swelling resolves, and your initial results are visible

6 Months to 1 Year

• Feel confident showing off your final results
• Scars gradually fade over time

While healing takes patience and time, most tummy tuck patients find their transformation well worth the wait. Closely adhering to Dr. Newall’s postoperative instructions facilitates smoother healing.