Houston & Pearland, TX

Tummy Tuck

Introduction to Tummy Tuck

Cosmetic surgery is helpful to both men and women, especially regarding excess tummy fat or saggy and loose abdominal skin. A tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) can rejuvenate your entire appearance and help restore your confidence to an all-time high. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the surrounding areas of South Houston, Dr. Christopher Hankins and his professional staff can help you achieve a flatter, smoother, more toned stomach at Premier Plastic Surgery in Pearland.

woman in underwear lying on the floor Houston & Pearland | Premier Plastic Surgery

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Dr. Christopher Hankins provides patients with tummy tucks in Houston as a body contouring procedure. Excess stomach fat, sagging skin, or unsightly stretch marks plague many men and women due to weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy. It is possible to obtain the body shape you desire and stop using clothing to cover up and hide your body. A tummy tuck may be the solution. During a traditional tummy tuck, flaps of excess skin and fat will be removed, and the muscles on the abdominal wall are tightened to strengthen and tone the stomach.

Other Tummy Tuck Procedures:

For patient flexibility, other types of tummy tuck procedures are being introduced in addition to the original tummy tuck. 

Mini-Tummy TuckA mini-tummy tuck procedure differs from a full tummy tuck in that the level of dissection is limited to the area below the umbilicus. Correction of diastasis (separation of the abdominal muscles) below the umbilicus is possible, but it is not done above that point due to the limited dissection. Due to the limited dissection, it is possible to make the incision somewhat shorter than it would have been for a full tummy tuck, but this is not a hard and fast rule.

Extended Tummy TuckAn extended tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty with flankplasty, is similar to a traditional tummy tuck. However, in addition to treating the abdominal area, the procedure removes skin and fatty tissue from the sides and back – giving you an all-around flatter, tighter midsection and more streamlined waist.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Our patients who have received a Tummy Tuck in Houston have been able to see some of the following examples of the benefits that this surgery can provide:

  • Better core strength
  • Boost in self-esteem
  • Flatter stomach
  • Improved control over bodily functions
  • More flattering figure
  • Prevents painful hernias
  • Relieved incontinence
  • Repairs issues such as diastasis recti

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?

You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if you are concerned about localized fat deposits in your stomach and loose, flabby skin. Patients who undergo a tummy tuck include:

  • Individuals who have lost weight but are troubled by excess fat pockets, a stomach pouch, or loose skin.
  • Women who have weakened abdominal muscles, stretch marks, and excess skin due to pregnancy are good candidates for a tummy tuck or a “mommy makeover.”
  • Individuals with significant weight loss after surgery are left with weak or separated stomach muscles, stretched, redundant skin, and unsightly stretch marks.

Dr. Christopher Hankins advises his patients that a tummy tuck is an excellent cosmetic procedure for flattening and shaping the abdomen and tightening and smoothing the skin. However, tummy tucks are not meant as a weight loss solution alone, and patients should be close to their ideal body weight.

It’s important to note that not everyone is a candidate for tummy tuck surgery. Suppose the patient’s BMI or height-to-weight ratio is too high. In that case, Dr. Hankins will recommend the amount of weight that should be lost before surgery, or in some cases, can offer a panniculectomy that will often enable patients to lose the additional weight to be considered a good candidate for a formal abdominoplasty.

However, BMI is not a strict criterion for eligibility for surgery. Depending on the amount of fat stored in the abdomen, both internally and externally, the patient may have to present with a lower BMI than other patients to be a viable candidate for surgery.

“ I love my new body! ”

I had Tummy Tuck surgery and lipo with Dr Hankins and my results are beyond amazing! I love my new body! Jean and Dr Hankins were wonderful to work with and I have recommended him to all my family and friends! Breast lift next! Dr Hankins really cares for his patients and that really meant at lot to me! Thanks Premier Plastic Surgery

Sherre Melancon

“Dr. Hankins is a wonderful surgeon”

Dr. Hankins is a wonderful surgeon that takes his time with you! He has never rushed me out of the room unwilling to answer questions. He is SO THOROUGH and precise. I had a tummy tuck done and am so pleased with the results! It’s even better than my “pre-babies” body! I plan to have my breasts done as well and I will look nowhere else! He is my go to 🙂

Holly Kelley
woman in a white blouse Houston & Pearland | Premier Plastic Surgery

Tummy Tuck First Step

What’s the first step?

If you are interested in a tummy tuck consultation, you first want to contact Premier Plastic Surgery and schedule an appointment. Dr. Hankins will examine your abdomen and skin elasticity, review your medical history, and discuss your body-shaping goals. He will then determine if you are a candidate for tummy tuck surgery and thoroughly examine the recommended procedure and surgical process. We will be happy to discuss the tummy tuck options in greater detail, answer any questions, and discuss which technique is best for you, along with the associated pros and cons.

Once he deems you are a suitable candidate for the procedure, he will come up with a treatment plan, which you can then take to a patient coordinator who will help you schedule the procedure in addition to helping you with the pricing options and share any pre-operative instructions you might need.

What to Expect on the Day of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Dr. Hankins often begins a tummy tuck procedure with liposuction of the lower abdomen. Fat in the targeted area will be removed before an incision is made in the skin. This leaves the lymphatics behind to help prevent fluid accumulation with a conventional abdominoplasty. This technique was initially developed by Jean Francois Pascal of Leon, France. Afterward, an incision is made above the pubic line, which extends to the pelvic rim on each side.

The next step involves undermining the excess skin and fatty tissues from the initial incision. The amount of skin that is removed is tailored to the individual patient. This technique effectively addresses cases where two fat bulges are in the abdomen, one lying higher than the other. Dr. Hankins performs an undermining surgical technique that effectively treats this deformity.

When the two middle strap muscles in the midline of the abdomen (i.e., the rectus abdominus) are separated (diastasis recti), Dr. Hankins will repair this deformity to give you a slimmer waistline and a flatter tummy.

For patients with an umbilical hernia, the hernia is repaired, the abdominal skin and fat are then repositioned, and the excess skin is removed.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

After tummy tuck procedures, most patients are admitted for a 23-hour post-operative observation in the hospital to manage pain and nausea. The following morning, they are sufficiently recovered to be discharged home.

Patients done at a surgeon’s office and then sent home are at an extreme disadvantage for the first few hours following surgery when the pain and nausea are at their worst. As mentioned above, these patients may be paying less than a patient would pay to have the surgery done in the hospital with a 23-hour overnight admission.

Patients are prescribed pain medication to help relieve pain and discomfort after surgery. Tummy tuck patients must wear a compression garment for several weeks to support the abdomen while healing. They should take a stool softener to avoid straining the abdomen and incision. Dr. Hankins will notify you when you can return to work and do other activities. Strenuous activities where you must lift or strain your stomach muscles must be avoided for at least six weeks.

Dr. Hankins will provide specific after-surgery instructions and follow-up visits will be scheduled.

Tummy Tuck Cost

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost In Houston?

The cost of a Tummy Tuck at Premier Plastic Surgery starts at $8,800 and may increase depending on each patient’s goals and needs. This price point includes liposuction to the upper and lower abdomen.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with Houston Tummy Tuck expert Dr. Christopher Hankins for a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a customized quote and answer any questions you may have regarding a Tummy Tuck procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Hankins?

Dr. Christopher Hankins should be your choice for your Tummy Tuck in Pearland and the surrounding Houston area. He believes in offering patients only treatments that are in their best interests. His commitment to his patients is to always carefully evaluate the patient, not just the plastic or aesthetic surgery issue under consideration. Dr. Christopher Hankins specializes in face, breast, and body aesthetic surgery. He also has advanced training in hand surgery, breast reconstruction after cancer, and other reconstructive surgical procedures. Dr. Hankins completed five plastic surgery fellowships with highly distinguished physician mentors in the United States and the United Kingdom, including a Plastic and Microsurgery fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine and a Hand Surgery fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Hankins earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his General Surgery training prerequisite for Plastic Surgery as established by the Residency Review Committee in Plastic Surgery and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.

In addition to his practice in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins is actively involved in the study and clinical application of anti-aging medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine and a member of the American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (AAAAM), and the Texas Medical Association (TMA).

dr hankins and his staff Houston & Pearland | Premier Plastic Surgery Color

Tummy Tuck FAQ’S

Schedule a Consultation

Our team at Premier is dedicated to helping you reach all your aesthetic goals. To learn more about abdominoplasty and whether a tummy tuck is right for you, contact the office today to schedule your free personal consultation. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the neighboring communities of South Houston, Dr. Hankins can help you achieve a body you won’t want to cover up!