Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dr Fortes performs mini, standard, and extended abdominoplasty to remove excess abdominal skin, repair separated rectus muscles (diastasis recti), and create a flatter, more contoured abdomen. Procedures address post-pregnancy, post-bariatric, and age-related abdominal changes that diet and exercise cannot correct. A low horizontal incision is placed beneath the bikini line; abdominal wall muscles are tightened with permanent sutures; excess skin is excised and the navel repositioned. Most patients return to light activity in two weeks and full exercise at six weeks. Pricing is all-inclusive with no hidden fees.

Abdominoplasty at Dr Paul Fortes MD Plastic Surgery Houston is one of the practice's most frequently requested procedures, addressing the complex of post-pregnancy, post-bariatric, or age-related abdominal changes that include loose skin, herniated or separated abdominal muscles, stretch marks in the lower abdomen, and stubborn subcutaneous fat unresponsive to lifestyle changes. Dr Fortes offers three variants to match the extent of correction required. A mini tummy tuck (priced at $12,000) targets skin laxity and mild muscle separation confined to the lower abdomen, below the navel. The incision is shorter than a full abdominoplasty and the umbilicus is not relocated, making it appropriate for patients with limited skin excess and well-maintained tone in the upper abdomen. A standard full abdominoplasty (priced at $15,000) begins with a low horizontal incision placed within the natural contour of the lower abdomen from hip to hip, positioned below the bikini line. The abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue 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 common after pregnancy — is present, Dr Fortes performs plication of the anterior rectus sheath with permanent sutures, narrowing the waist and restoring core structural support. This muscle repair is a defining element of abdominoplasty that no non-surgical approach can replicate. Excess skin is then excised, the remaining skin is re-draped downward under tension, and the umbilicus is repositioned through a new opening in the re-draped skin. An extended tummy tuck (priced at $20,000) extends the incision laterally to address the flanks and lower back, improving circumferential contour beyond the direct frontal zone. Dr Fortes frequently combines abdominoplasty with liposuction of the flanks, waist, and upper abdomen — a lipo-tuck — to achieve comprehensive 360-degree body contouring results. As part of a mommy makeover, abdominoplasty may be combined with breast augmentation, breast lift, or both in a single operative session. Post-operatively, patients wear a compression garment for six weeks; most return to desk work within two to three weeks and full exercise at six weeks. All pricing at Dr Fortes's practice is all-inclusive, covering surgeon fee, anaesthesia, and facility without hidden charges. Financing is available through PatientFi.