Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck in Houston

A tummy tuck does what crunches and clean eating cannot: it removes excess skin, eliminates stubborn fat and repairs separated abdominal muscles so your midsection finally matches the effort you’ve been putting in. Houston patients choose board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas for his extensive experience, natural-looking tummy tuck results and commitment to exceptional patient care.

35+ Years of Experience

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10,000+ Surgeries Performed

Texas Super Doctor

Tummy Tuck in Houston: What You Need to Know

A flat stomach shouldn’t require a full-time job, but for many people who have been through pregnancy, significant weight loss or just years of battling stubborn skin and weakened muscles, it can feel that way. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes loose skin and excess fat from the abdomen and repairs weakened or separated abdominal muscles for a flatter, firmer midsection.

Abdominoplasty was one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. in 2024, with over 171,000 procedures performed according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Dr. Vitenas himself has contributed his expertise to the ASPS, writing about what patients should consider before getting a tummy tuck.

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck addresses concerns that no amount of diet or exercise can fix on its own. The benefits include:

A Flatter, Firmer Abdomen

Removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles creates a toned, contoured midsection proportional to the rest of your body.

Repaired Abdominal Muscles

Diastasis recti affects up to 60% of postpartum women. A tummy tuck brings separated muscles back together with permanent sutures, restoring core strength.

Stretch Mark Reduction

Stretch marks on the lower abdomen are often removed along with the excess skin.

Improved Posture and Comfort

A tighter abdominal wall can improve posture and reduce lower back discomfort from weak core support.

Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Good candidates have excess abdominal skin or fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise, weakened or separated abdominal muscles, or a combination of these. You should be in good overall health, at or near a stable weight and a nonsmoker (or willing to quit before and after surgery).

While many tummy tuck patients are women, Dr. Vitenas regularly performs abdominoplasty on men who have loose abdominal skin after weight loss. He adjusts his incision technique accordingly: women typically receive a curved incision following the lower abdomen’s contours, while men usually have a straight horizontal incision. If you’re planning future pregnancies, it’s best to wait, since pregnancy can re-stretch the skin and muscles that were repaired.

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Tummy Tuck Options: Full, Mini and Extended

Full Tummy Tuck

This is the most common abdominoplasty option. Dr. Vitenas makes an incision across the lower abdomen (below the bikini line), removes excess skin and fat, tightens the abdominal muscles and repositions the navel (belly button). If you notice loose skin above your belly button when you sit down, a full abdominoplasty is likely the better option.

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Mini Tummy Tuck

This abdominoplasty technique targets only the area below the belly button with a shorter incision, no belly button repositioning and faster recovery. It’s best for patients with mild lower abdominal skin laxity who don’t need muscle repair above the navel.

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Extended Tummy Tuck (360 Tummy Tuck)

The 360 tummy tuck contours the entire midsection, including the flanks and lower back. It’s most commonly undergone after significant weight loss when loose skin extends beyond the front of the abdomen.

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The Tummy Tuck Experience: What to Expect From Start to Finish

Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Dr. Vitenas will listen to your goals, examine your abdominal area, evaluate your skin laxity and muscle condition, and review your health history. He’ll recommend the best technique, walk you through before-and-after tummy tuck photos of similar patients, and answer any questions you have. His team will then discuss pricing, financing options and scheduling if you choose to move forward.

Pre-Op: How Should I Prepare for a Tummy Tuck?

Stop smoking at least six weeks before your surgery, discontinue blood-thinning medications and supplements, and complete any required lab work. Prepare a comfortable recovery space at home and arrange for someone to drive you home and help with household tasks for the first one to two weeks.

Surgery Day: What Happens During a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is performed with the patient under general anesthesia in Dr. Vitenas’ AAAASF-accredited surgical center and typically takes two to four hours. Dr. Vitenas makes the primary incision just above the pubic bone, from hip to hip. He lifts the skin to expose the muscles, repairs any separation with long lasting sutures, removes excess skin and fat, and repositions the belly button. Liposuction may be used for additional contouring. A long-acting local anesthetic is applied at close, so most patients wake up feeling tightness rather than significant pain.

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Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

For a smooth and comfortable healing process, following our tummy tuck recovery tips is essential to protect your surgical results and minimize discomfort. Here’s what you can expect as you heal:

Days 1-3

You’ll walk slightly bent at the waist, which is normal. Swelling, bruising and tightness peak. You’ll wear a compression garment and manage discomfort with prescribed medication.

Weeks 1-2

Most patients return to desk work within 10 to 14 days. Short walks are encouraged to promote circulation.

Weeks 4-6

Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting remain off-limits until Dr. Vitenas clears you around the six-week mark.

Months 3-12

Your final shape emerges as swelling fully resolves. Scars mature over a year, gradually becoming flatter and lighter.

Dr. Vitenas and his team are with you at every step, from regular follow-ups to our 24/7 nurse line.

“The body does remarkable things during pregnancy, but sometimes it needs a little help getting back to where it was. That’s what body surgery is about for me: giving someone back what time or life took away.”

- Dr. Vitenas

Why Dr. Vitenas Is Houston’s Top Tummy Tuck Surgeon

Dr. Vitenas has spent the majority of his career focused on breast and body surgery, making tummy tucks and body contouring among his strongest areas of expertise. He is board-certified, fellowship-trained in craniofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery and cosmetic surgery, and operates out of his own AAAASF-accredited surgical center at 4208 Richmond Ave in Houston. His expertise led the ASPS to publish his guidance on the procedure, and his 900+ five-star Google reviews speak to the consistency of his results.

“Throughout my training, I’ve seen it all, and I’ve learned how to create the best result for my patients. My goal has always been to enhance each patient’s natural beauty, ensuring they look their best today and for decades to come.”

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Ready to Restore Your Core?

If you’ve been thinking about a tummy tuck, your consultation with Dr. Vitenas is where it all comes together. Contact us today to book your appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a tummy tuck cost in Houston?

The starting cost of a tummy tuck with Dr. Vitenas is $14,000. The final abdominoplasty price depends on the technique used, whether liposuction or other procedures are included, and the complexity of the correction. All pricing is all-inclusive. Financing through CareCredit, Cherry and Alphaeon Credit is available.

Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?

A tummy tuck can eliminate stretch marks on the lower abdominal skin that is excised during the procedure. Stretch marks above the belly button or outside the treatment area will remain. If stretch marks are your primary concern, Dr. Vitenas can discuss other options during your consultation.

What is the difference between a tummy tuck and a body lift?

A tummy tuck focuses on the front of the abdomen. A body lift extends that correction to the hips, thighs and buttocks for full lower body contouring, and it is typically recommended for patients with circumferential skin laxity after massive weight loss.

Can a tummy tuck help with incontinence?

In some cases, yes. Tightening the abdominal muscles can provide additional bladder support, which may reduce stress urinary incontinence. Many women notice improvement, particularly when their incontinence is linked to weakened core muscles after childbirth.

Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?

Yes. A tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction for additional contouring, and it’s a core procedure in a mommy makeover alongside breast surgery. Combining procedures means one surgery, one anesthesia session and one recovery period.

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Tummy Tuck in Houston

Tummy Tuck in Houston: What You Need to Know