Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is performed on men and women to achieve a flatter and slimmer midsection. However, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella was never satisfied with the artificial-looking, “flat-as-a-board” abdominal contours often created with traditional techniques.
This led Dr. Patronella to create his acclaimed True Form Tummy Tuck®, an advanced technique that highlights the subtleties, curves, and divots of a natural, chiseled body. Dr. Patronella says, “It is an honor and a rewarding privilege for me to witness the transformation the True Form Tummy Tuck® produces not only aesthetically, but also psychologically for my patients in having the beauty of a focal part of the body restored, an area about which they often have felt self-conscious and inhibited for years.”
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See the True Form® Difference: Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
“The True Form technique was born from my intense drive to produce results that appear authentic, seamless, and elegant.”
Dr. Christoper Patronella
Procedures:
Mommy Makeover, True Form Tummy Tuck®, Liposuction (flanks, hips, axilla, bra line, lateral chest, back), Breast implant removal, Breast implant exchange, Capsulotomy
Age: 49
Height: 5’4″
Weight:150 pounds
Children: 1
“I had an amazing experience from consult to surgery and even after surgery. Dr. Patronella and his staff were very attentive to my needs and made me feel so comfortable. My results…WOW! I am so happy with my new tummy! If you’re looking into getting a tummy tuck, go with Dr. Patronella!”
– DC
“Definitely recommend. Great surgeon and great friendly staff. Had a TT done a week ago and looking and feeling great.”
– XC
“Dr. Patronella’s skill is only surpassed by his caring attitude towards his patients. At first, I was a little hesitant to have a tummy tuck, but Dr. Patronella explained that he could offer me a natural, minimal scar result. Sure enough, my incision has faded as he said it would, and now, with my flat tummy, I look great in my jeans!”
– DW
The cost of a tummy tuck can vary based on the type of procedure, surgical complexity, anesthesia, facility fees, and any additional treatments. A personalized quote is provided after your consultation.
For the convenience of our patients, Dr. Patronella’s office offers several payment and financing options for our surgical and non-surgical procedures and products. We accept all major credit cards, cashiers’ checks, and PatientFi financing, as well as CareCredit®.
Learn More About Our PricingBoard-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher K. Patronella has more than two decades of experience, earning him recognition as one of Houston’s leading plastic surgeons. Known for his True Form Plastic Surgery® techniques, he tailors each procedure to enhance natural beauty while prioritizing safety and precision.
Dr. Patronella performs his True Form Tummy Tuck® for women and men from across the globe at his private, fully accredited surgical center in Houston, Texas. He offers online video consultations and works with experienced patient care coordinators to ensure patients have a smooth and positive experience, whether they are local or traveling from other states and countries.
A tummy tuck is designed to remove loose, excess skin and stubborn fat from the abdominal area and restore weakened and separated muscles, creating a smoother and firmer abdominal profile. This procedure is often sought after significant weight loss or pregnancy, as both experiences can change the abdominal area in less than desirable ways.
A traditional tummy tuck, however, often lacks the subtle definition of a naturally sculpted stomach. Dr. Patronella developed the True Form Tummy Tuck® to recreate the attractive characteristics, divots, and soft contours of a youthful, toned abdomen while allowing patients a smoother, more comfortable recovery.
Dr. Patronella’s True Form Tummy Tuck® will contour, enhance, and sculpt the abdomen to counter the effects of aging, pregnancy, and significant weight fluctuations.
This surgical procedure is ideal for men and women looking for results that go far beyond the cookie-cutter, unnatural outcome that traditional techniques often produce.
Candidates for abdominoplasty include individuals with sagging abdominal skin due to aging, women with stretched skin or muscle separation (diastasis recti) post-pregnancy, and patients who have lost substantial weight and are left with loose, excess skin.
Ideal candidates will be non-smokers in good overall health with realistic expectations.
Some of the most dramatic abdominoplasty results enjoyed by patients are:
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A beautiful, natural stomach has curves and divots, and the same goes for a well-done tummy tuck. Dr. Patronella’s technique uses internal sutures to accentuate the upper and lower abdomen and create defined, sculpted, and natural-looking contours.
Attentive and precise suturing at the incision line allows for a smooth transition between the lower abdomen and pubic area. This creates a consistent, natural-looking result without the telltale pulling of traditional tummy tuck techniques.
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Weight gain or pregnancy can alter the shape of your navel. A deep inward contour is made using internal suturing to reattach the belly button to the underlying muscle. Thus, a natural and youthful-looking navel is restored.
Dr. Patronella employs the progressive suture technique in his True Form Tummy Tuck®. By placing internal sutures, Dr. Patronella eliminates the spaces where fluid would collect in a traditional abdominoplasty. This eliminates the need for post-surgical drains that would otherwise be present for up to three weeks.
“The True Form technique was born from my intense drive to produce results that appear authentic, seamless, and elegant.”
Dr. Christopher Patronella
The first step of any tummy tuck is a consultation to determine your candidacy. During your initial consultation, Dr. Patronella will perform an exam, listen to your concerns, and recommend a personalized surgical plan. This includes deciding the type of tummy tuck best suited to your needs and reviewing medical history and medications.
Dr. Patronella will then provide clear pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for a smooth surgical experience. Pre-operative guidelines can include completing necessary lab work, discontinuing certain medications, and arranging for childcare if needed.
Dr. Patronella customizes each True Form Tummy Tuck®, but the following steps are usually included:
Most patients can expect approximately two weeks of downtime. You will be instructed to take short, gentle walks shortly after surgery to reduce the risk of complications. Compression garments are worn to reduce swelling and support healing.
As no drains are used in this technique, you will not have to worry about cleaning, emptying, or measuring your drains.
Most patients can resume light activity between one and two weeks after their surgery and full exercise in four to six weeks, with Dr. Patronella’s approval.
Recovery times vary by individual and procedure type, but patients can commonly expect:
Once all of the swelling has subsided, the full extent of your transformation is revealed. Most of the swelling resolves within three months; however, some residual swelling may be present (or reappear) for six months or more.
The results of your True Form Tummy Tuck® are long-lasting, barring significant weight gain or pregnancy. Most patients are inspired to incorporate positive dietary and physical fitness habits into their lifestyle, which helps maintain their tummy tuck results and strengthens their inner vitality and confidence.
Tummy tucks are not designed to be a weight loss procedure, but patients can lose up to 10 pounds of skin and fat. The main goal is to improve contour and proportions rather than significantly reduce body weight.
Swelling and tenderness are expected but manageable with prescribed medications. Most patients describe this discomfort as moderate and typically find it improves after the first few days to a week.
Dr. Patronella takes great care to position the incision as low as possible so that the resulting scar can be easily concealed by bathing suits and undergarments.
To help reduce the visibility of scarring, Dr. Patronella developed a Scar Therapy Program that utilizes a combination of products over a 6 to 12-month time period. In addition, avoid sun exposure and apply sunscreen whenever the scar may be visible. The tummy tuck scar will fade over the following 12–24 months.
Existing stretch marks below the navel can be eliminated when the excess skin is removed. Those outside the treated area may remain but may be less noticeable.
Tummy tuck surgery is ideal for removing loose, excess skin and tightening muscles. Liposuction only removes fat. During a True Form Tummy Tuck®, Dr. Patronella uses liposuction to fine-tune contours, and some patients choose to combine liposuction with their tummy tuck for optimal results.
Most patients return to light-duty work after 10 to 14 days, depending on the type of job and personal recovery progress.
Abdominoplasty does not interfere with conception. However, when patients become pregnant following a tummy tuck, it can compromise the results by stretching the tightened skin and repaired muscles. It’s best to wait until you’re done having children before undergoing the procedure.
While you are required to get out of bed for leisurely walks starting the day after your tummy tuck, you must avoid more vigorous exercises.
Many tummy tuck patients return to strenuous activities after four to six weeks, but this varies based on the individual. You should consult with Dr. Patronella before resuming any exercise.
Are you ready to tighten and tone your abdomen the True Form® way? Schedule your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Patronella today by calling (713) 575-1996 or filling out our online form.
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