About

Changes in your abdominal anatomy, such as stretched skin, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), localized fat pockets, or weakened connective tissue, often develop after pregnancy, significant weight changes, or aging. These internal and external shifts can create bulging, laxity, and skin redundancy that cannot be corrected with diet or exercise alone, leaving your midsection feeling out of harmony with the rest of your body.

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, aims to restore a smoother, firmer abdominal contour by addressing these underlying issues. During surgery, excess skin is removed, the abdominal wall is tightened by repairing stretched fascia, and the remaining tissues are redraped for a defined shape. Liposuction can also be incorporated to achieve enhanced contouring, resulting in a balanced, natural-looking outcome tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Benefits

A tummy tuck offers more than surface-level improvement: it addresses the deeper structural changes that shape your midsection. By correcting both the skin and the muscle layer, it provides lasting functional and aesthetic benefits, including:

  • A firmer, more supported abdominal wall
  • Reduced skin laxity and excess folds
  • Improved waistline definition and contour
  • Correction of diastasis recti after pregnancy or weight changes
  • Better fit and comfort in clothing
  • Enhanced posture due to stronger core support
  • Removal of lower abdominal stretch marks when located on excised skin

Consultation

During your consultation, you meet directly with Dr. Ahmadi to review your goals, medical history, and the anatomical changes affecting your abdomen. He examines your skin elasticity, muscle tone, fat distribution, and belly button position to determine the most effective approach. You’ll also discuss whether muscle tightening, liposuction, or an extended contouring plan is recommended for your needs.

You then review procedure details, incision placement, expected recovery timelines, and realistic outcomes. Dr. Ahmadi answers your questions, ensuring you understand every step before moving forward. Next, the patient coordinator will provide a personalized surgical quote and review scheduling, preparation instructions, and financing options, so you know exactly what to expect before moving forward.

Candidates

A tummy tuck is best suited for individuals who want to correct both structural and cosmetic abdominal changes that cannot be improved through lifestyle measures alone. You may be an excellent candidate if:

  • You have loose or hanging abdominal skin that does not respond to weight loss
  • You experience muscle separation (diastasis recti) after pregnancy or weight changes
  • You maintain a stable weight and are not planning future pregnancies
  • You have localized fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise
  • You are in good overall health with no uncontrolled medical conditions
  • You do not smoke or are willing to stop before and after surgery
  • You have no contraindications, such as uncontrolled diabetes or cardiopulmonary disease
  • You are motivated to follow postoperative restrictions and recovery guidelines

Procedure

Dr. Ahmadi begins by making a low, hip-to-hip incision that gives him access to the underlying abdominal wall while keeping the scar hidden beneath your underwear line. He gently separates the skin and fat from the muscle layer up to the ribcage, exposing the stretched midline fascia. If your abdominal muscles have separated, he sutures this fascia back together in a vertical line, creating a stronger, flatter foundation. Your belly button is disconnected from the surrounding skin so it can be repositioned once the excess tissue is removed. After tightening the underlying support, Dr. Ahmadi pulls the upper abdominal skin downward, trims away the redundant tissue, and recreates a small, natural-looking opening for your belly button. Liposuction may also be performed as part of the procedure to further contour the flanks or upper abdomen. He finally closes the incisions in multiple layers to reduce tension, support healing, and create a smooth, stable abdominal contour.

Recovery

In the first few days after surgery, you can expect swelling, tightness, bruising, and limited mobility as your abdominal wall adjusts to the internal repair. You must wear a compression garment continuously to control swelling and support the tissues, and walk slightly bent at the waist for about 5 to 7 days to reduce tension on the incision. Discomfort is most noticeable during the first week and is managed with prescribed medication. Most patients return to light desk work within 10 to 14 days, though you must avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling more than five pounds for six weeks to protect the muscle repair. You’ll be encouraged to take short walks starting the day after surgery to promote healthy circulation. Dr. Ahmadi will provide detailed instructions for incision care, showering, garment use, and activity progression, and you must attend scheduled follow-up visits to closely monitor your healing.

Types

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen, targeting loose skin and mild muscle laxity below the belly button. This involves a shorter incision and does not require repositioning the navel. It is ideal if your concerns are limited to the lower midsection, as this provides a smoother, tighter appearance with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdominal wall. Dr. Ahmadi tightens separated abdominal muscles, removes excess skin, and creates a firmer contour across both the upper and lower abdomen. The navel is released and repositioned for a natural look, making this approach suitable for more pronounced laxity, diastasis recti, or skin redundancy.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is for individuals with significant skin excess and fat accumulation beyond the central abdomen. This technique uses a longer incision to address laxity around the flanks and lower back, offering broader circumferential contouring. It is especially beneficial after massive weight loss, where excess tissue affects the waistline and lateral torso.

Plus-Size Tummy Tuck

A plus-size tummy tuck applies the principles of a standard abdominoplasty to patients with a larger waistline or a higher BMI (up to 33). The procedure often involves more extensive tissue removal and strategic contouring to address stubborn fat, heavier skin, and a wider abdominal framework, ensuring balanced shaping and improved support of the abdominal wall.

LipoTuck

LipoTuck is Dr. Ahmadi’s advanced body-contouring approach that combines a full tummy tuck with comprehensive liposuction for transformative, one-stage reshaping. Beyond muscle tightening and excess skin removal, this technique contours multiple areas, such as the hips, back, flanks, pubis, and axilla, to sculpt a dramatically improved waistline.

Results

You’ll begin noticing a flatter, more streamlined midsection as early swelling decreases over the first several weeks. Your final contour becomes clearer three to six months after the procedure as the tissues settle and the incision continues to mature. With a stable weight and healthy habits, your tummy tuck results can last for many years. The repaired abdominal wall and removed excess skin do not typically recur, allowing you to enjoy long-term improvements.

Why Clients Love Us

Contact

If you’re ready to restore a stronger, smoother midsection with a carefully customized tummy tuck, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ahmadi, our board-certified plastic surgeon known for his precision and advanced contouring techniques. Contact Avante Plastic Surgery at (281) 265-2639 or request your appointment online. Our team is committed to providing an informative and supportive experience from your first consultation onward.

Schedule a
Consultation

Contact Us (281) 265-2639