Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction, breast lifts, or breast augmentation as part of a Mommy Makeover to enhance overall body contouring results. If you want to enhance multiple body areas with one cosmetic procedure, ask your surgeon about your eligibility for combination surgeries.

Tummy tuck surgery involves some discomfort, particularly in the first few days following the procedure. Most patients experience soreness, tightness, and swelling in the abdominal area. However, pain is generally manageable with prescribed medications and gradually improves over the first week. The level of discomfort varies depending on the extent of the surgery and individual pain tolerance. Dr. Hamati will provide detailed aftercare instructions to help manage pain during recovery, ensuring a smoother healing process.

A tummy tuck can be expected to leave scars, but they are typically placed low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area, so they can be easily hidden under clothing or swimwear. The size and visibility of the scar depend on the type of tummy tuck performed, with full tummy tucks leaving longer scars compared to mini tummy tucks. Over time, scars will fade and become less noticeable.

As with any surgery, tummy tuck procedures carry some risks, including infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Choosing a plastic surgeon minimizes these risks.

Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting as long as they are maintained with a healthy lifestyle. The procedure creates permanent changes, as it removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles. However, significant weight fluctuations or pregnancy after the surgery can affect the results, potentially causing skin to stretch or muscles to separate again. By maintaining a stable weight through proper diet and exercise, most patients can enjoy their tummy tuck results for many years, and often, the improvements can last a lifetime.

In Houston, the cost of a tummy tuck typically ranges from $12,000 to $18,000 for a full tummy tuck, while mini tummy tucks may start around $4,000 and extended tummy tucks can exceed $15,000-$24,000+. View our recent blog post on Tummy Tuck cost  or visit our pricing page to learn more.

During your consultation with Dr. Hamati, he will review the differences between the different types of tummy tucks and recommend the best option for you.

For most patients, they are standing straight, or nearly straight by 1 week after surgery.

Creating a natural-looking belly button is an important part of achieving an aesthetically pleasing tummy tuck result. Though you will have a scar around the belly button, Dr. Hamati takes the time to carefully shape and position a natural-looking belly button to complement the patient’s anatomy while minimizing visible scarring whenever possible.

The goal is a belly button that appears natural, proportionate, and harmonious with the overall abdominal contour. As swelling resolves and healing progresses, the appearance continues to improve over the following months.

During a full tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, Dr. Hamati will repair your muscle separation, also known as rectus diastasis. This can help smooth and flatten your abdomen, and it can help support your core.

There is no “best age” for a tummy tuck, however, you should be at a point in your life where you do not plan to have any more children, are at a stable weight, can take the time needed for recovery, and are generally healthy. Most patients that have tummy tucks are in their 30s-50s, but tummy tuck surgery can be appropriate for younger or older patients depending on overall health, skin quality, and surgical goals. You can have a tummy tuck at age 20 if you’re done having children, or in your 80s if you are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.

Many women choose tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy to address loose skin, abdominal muscle separation, and contour changes that resulted from pregnancy and do not improve with exercise alone.