Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

ACPS plastic surgeons perform full and mini abdominoplasty to address excess abdominal skin, stretch marks, and separated rectus muscles (diastasis recti) that do not respond to diet and exercise. The procedure removes redundant skin below the navel, tightens the underlying abdominal wall musculature, and repositions the navel for a smooth, contoured abdomen. ACPS surgeons frequently combine tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and upper abdomen as part of a mommy makeover or standalone body contouring plan. Surgery is performed at the accredited ACPS Surgicentre.

Abdominoplasty at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery Houston is one of the practice's most frequently performed body contouring procedures, reflecting the prevalence of post-pregnancy, post-bariatric, and age-related abdominal changes among Houston patients. A full abdominoplasty begins with a low horizontal incision placed within the natural contour of the lower abdomen, typically below the bikini line, from hip to hip. The abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat are elevated off the underlying fascia up to the costal margin, exposing the rectus abdominis muscles. Where diastasis recti — the midline separation of the paired rectus muscles that commonly follows pregnancy — is present, ACPS surgeons perform plication of the anterior rectus sheath using permanent sutures, narrowing the abdominal wall and restoring core support. This muscle repair is a defining element of abdominoplasty that no non-surgical procedure can replicate. Excess skin is then excised, the remaining skin is stretched downward under tension, and the umbilicus is repositioned through a new opening in the repositioned skin at an anatomically appropriate level. A low, well-concealed scar results. Mini abdominoplasty addresses laxity confined to the lower abdomen — below the navel — with a shorter incision and no umbilical repositioning. It is most appropriate for patients with limited skin excess and well-maintained upper abdominal tone. ACPS surgeons frequently combine abdominoplasty with concurrent liposuction of the flanks and waist — a combination sometimes called a 'lipo-tuck' — to address the 360-degree circumference and achieve more comprehensive body contouring results than either procedure alone would permit. As part of a mommy makeover, abdominoplasty may be combined with breast augmentation, breast lift, or both, as well as labiaplasty if indicated, in a single operative session. Post-operatively, patients wear a compression garment for six weeks to support healing, manage swelling, and help the skin conform to the new contours. Most patients resume light activity within two weeks and return to full exercise at six to eight weeks. All procedures are performed at the ACPS Surgicentre, the practice's own accredited ambulatory surgical facility.