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Christopher K. Patronella

MD, FACS, FICS

713-799-9999

Unveil your body's natural form

Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

By Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella combines detailed artistry with advanced technical expertise to provide tummy tuck results that transform a flabby tummy into an attractively sculpted, smooth and flat abdomen.  
 
"When my bandages were being changed in the recovery room following my tummy tuck procedure with Dr. Patronella, the surgical center nurses's said, 'You have the stomach of a teenager!' I thought they were exaggerating, until I saw it for myself. My abdomen looks like a fitness trainer's. I have toned abs, definition—it's very tight. I had a small waist before, but it's smaller now."
— a patient of Dr. Patronella and a mother of three 

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery restores a flat, smooth appearance to the abdomen through the removal of loose skin and, in many cases, tightening of the abdominal muscle wall.  Dr. Patronella takes an artistic and detailed approach to the procedure, using advanced techniques to resculpt the natural contours of  an attractive, youthful abdomen.

Who is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery benefits individuals who have loose abdominal skin and lax abdominal muscles, which are typically the result of pregnancy or weight loss. While dieting and exercise can be benefical to reduce fat, surgical correction is required to remove loose skin and tighten a weakened abdominal muscle wall.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

For women who have skin and muscle wall laxity primarily beneath the navel, a more limited mini tummy tuck procedure may be sufficient to restore a flat, smooth appearance to the abdomen. In this procedure, an incision, which is significantly shorter than the standard incision, is made beneath the bikini line. The muscle wall is repaired and a modest amount of loose skin of the lower abdomen is removed. This conservative approach can be combined with lipocontouring of the abdomen and waist to provide a natural abdominal shape.
 
Because the majority of tummy tuck candidates, especially those who have had children, require upper muscle wall repair and extensive loose skin removal, a mini tummy tuck procedure is typically appropriate for only about 10 percent of patients.

Tummy Tuck Surgery After Pregnancy

During pregnancy, pressure from the expanding uterus causes the abdominal wall to weaken and separate. Because these muscles function as a type of anatomical compression garment that holds the tummy in, once they have weakened, the tummy commonly retains a bulging “tummy pooch” even in women who are within a normal weight range.

In addition, for many women, the excessive stretching of the skin that occurs during pregnancy weakens the skin’s elasticity, resulting in loose skin and stretch marks. During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella resculpts the abdomen to make it smooth and flat.

Tummy Tuck Surgery After Moderate to Large Weight Loss

Moderate weight loss commonly leaves behind loose, excess skin that has lost its elasticity—its ability to snap back into place--after being stretched. Those who have experienced large weight loss are often left with stretch marks and folds of heavy, hanging skin. For these patients, tummy tuck surgery, often in conjunction with a body lift, is the final rewarding step in their journey to restore a more attractive, proportionate appearance to the body.

After a Tummy Tuck / Tummy Tuck Recovery

The amount of time it takes to recover from tummy tuck surgery varies depending on the extent of abdominal repair and a patient's physical condition. Individuals who have a tummy tuck that includes repair of a weakened muscle wall are typically able to return to non-strenuous work in 10 to 14 days. If no muscle wall repair is necessary for improvement, the recovery is 7 to 10 days.

To promote blood circulation, it will be important for you to take short walks beginning the day after surgery. Two weeks following surgery, you may begin swimming or taking brisk walks for half a mile. During this time, it is important that you increase your physical activity gradually, and that you avoid stress to the abdomen to prevent bleeding and damage to the internal sutures.
 
At six weeks following tummy tuck surgery, you may begin doing more strenuous exercise such as aerobic exercise, jogging, Pilates, yoga, and weight training on the upper body. Sit ups should be avoided for 12 weeks.

About Dr. Patronella

Dr. Patronella is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Learn more about Dr. P

Consultation

Eva Cadena,
Patient Coordinator

As Dr. Patronella's patient coordinator for nearly 20 years, Eva Cadena will work with you to ensure that your experience is professional, courteous, and rewarding in every way.

Please call her with any questions you may have.

Schedule Consultation

Out of Town Guests

Dr. P's office is in the centrally located Town & Country area of Houston

12727 Kimberly, Ste. 300
Houston, TX 77024 (Map)
1-877-707-2277
713-799-9999

 

 

Dr. Patronella has partnered with two local hotels: the Hotel Sorella and the Hilton Houston Westchase. Additionally, he has a corporate arrangement with a local town car company should you need transportation within the city.