Sometimes, no matter how hard you work out or eat right, the loose skin and muscle laxity around your midsection just won’t budge. If that sounds like what you’re going through, a tummy tuck may be worth considering.
Dr. Eric Ruff offers abdominoplasty procedures at West Houston Plastic Surgery, PA in Houston, Texas. Known for his precise approach, Dr. Ruff can help you feel more at home in your body.
What Is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, has two goals: to restore separated stomach muscles and to remove sagging skin across the abdomen. The end result is a flatter, more contoured abdomen.
Am I a Good Candidate For Abdominoplasty?
You may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Excess or sagging abdominal skin
- A protruding abdomen that’s disproportionate to the rest of your body
- Abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened
- Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen
If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck can flatten your abdomen and help you feel a lot better in your skin. Here’s how:
- Removes stretched, sagging skin that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
- Repairs separated abdominal muscles (often caused by pregnancy).
- Improves your waistline and body contour, making clothes fit better.
- Reduces or smooths stretch marks on the lower abdomen.
- Boosts confidence in swimsuits, workout gear, or just looking in the mirror.
Different Types of Tummy Tucks
There are three types of tummy tucks: full, mini, and extended. Here are the differences between them:
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tuck involves two incisions, one stretching from hipbone to hipbone, and a second incision around the navel area. A full tummy tuck removes sagging skin both above the navel and from the navel down to the pubic area.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tuck usually only requires a single lower incision. The length of this incision varies depending on the degree of loose skin. Mini tummy tucks are good for patients with less overall sagging who have a small pooch in the center of their lower abdomen, and they still need to have good skin elasticity.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck also targets the flanks. It basically is a full tummy tuck, but the lower incision stretches past the hipbones all the way out to the sides of the hips. This incision can even slightly advance around the side of the flanks.
Abdominoplasty Photo Gallery
How Is an Abdominoplasty Procedure Performed?
As noted above, there are different methods Dr. Ruff can use when performing these procedures. As he does with all surgeries, Dr. Ruff will address your unique situation and adapt his methods to fit your needs. During your consultation, the two of you will discuss your goals, and Dr. Ruff will explain the specific steps he recommends for your body.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck involves reshaping the entire abdominal area by tightening muscles and removing excess skin. Dr. Ruff carefully plans the incisions to keep them as discreet as possible, typically hidden beneath a bikini bottom or underwear.
Here’s what the procedure typically involves:
- Lower Incision: Dr. Ruff makes a horizontal incision low on your abdomen, stretching from one hipbone to the other, just above the pubic area.
- Upper Incision (if needed): He may create a second incision around your belly button to remove loose skin in the upper abdomen. The shape and size of this incision depend on how much skin needs to be removed.
- Lifting the Skin: Dr. Ruff lifts the abdominal skin to expose the muscles underneath.
- Muscle Repair: He pulls the stretched or separated muscles back together and stitches them into place, creating a firmer, flatter abdominal wall and a narrower waistline.
- Fat Removal (if necessary): If you have small pockets of excess fat, Dr. Ruff can use liposuction to remove them during the procedure.
- Skin Repositioning: He pulls the skin downward over the tightened muscles, trims the excess, and may reposition your belly button to a more natural-looking location.
- Closing the Incisions: Once everything is in place, Dr. Ruff carefully closes the incisions to support healing and minimize visible scarring.
Recovery From Abdominoplasty
Recovery from a tummy tuck involves rest, mobility, and patience, but you might be surprised at how manageable it is. Dr. Ruff uses Exparel, a long-acting local anesthetic, to dramatically reduce discomfort after surgery.Â
Most patients can go home the same day (or to a nearby hotel if they’re from out of town) with minimal pain.
Here’s what to expect:
- Early movement helps: Take three to four short walks each day to support healing and circulation.
- Feeling tight or hunched: The abdominal area will feel tight at first, and it’s normal to walk slightly bent over for a few days.
- Having drains: If you had a full tuck, Dr. Ruff may place temporary drains to prevent fluid buildup. These are usually removed within the first week.
- Compression garments are essential: You'll wear them to reduce swelling and help your skin adapt to its new shape.
- Work and activity: Most patients with desk jobs return to work in about a week. If your job is more physical, you may need more time.
- Exercise restrictions: Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous workouts for at least six weeks.
- Lingering soreness: Mild discomfort can come and go for a few weeks or longer, but most patients feel much better within the first month.
Dr. Ruff and his team will give you detailed instructions and check in with you during your recovery to keep things on track.
What Will My Results Be Like?
A tummy tuck with Dr. Ruff is a very satisfying procedure. While individual results vary, here’s what you can generally expect:
- Slimmer, more defined abdominal contour: Extra skin is removed, and your waistline may appear more sculpted.
- Repaired abdominal muscles: If your muscles have separated (often due to pregnancy), Dr. Ruff brings them back together for a firmer core.
- Flatter stomach profile: The stretched skin and pooch that won’t respond to exercise can be significantly reduced.
- Improved fit in clothing: Many patients find their clothes fit more comfortably and look better.
Why Choose West Houston Plastic Surgery, PA?
Dr. Eric Ruff blends surgical skill with genuine care. He’s a Houston native who trained at some of the most respected hospitals in Texas, including MD Anderson and Shriners. His passion for aesthetic surgery, especially body contouring, shows in the work he’s done, from award-winning research to mentoring the next generation of surgeons. Patients appreciate his down-to-earth approach and the time he takes to explain every step.
He works alongside Dr. Alfonso Barrera, a leader in the field with nearly 40 years of experience. Dr. Barrera is double board-certified and widely recognized for his work in facelifts and hair transplantation.
Together, they perform procedures in their accredited surgical facility using advanced techniques that avoid general anesthesia, making your experience safer and more comfortable.
What Our Patients Have to Say
"Dr. Ruff is a knowledgeable plastic surgeon who keeps his patients’ best interests in mind during consultations. The staff is welcoming, and the office is clean and modern. I will continue to see Dr. Ruff in the future."
"It’s only been 2 wks since my surgery but I am excited with the results. I can’t wait to see what I will really look like in about a month when the swelling subsides. I’m already a new person with new confidence. Dr. Ruff and his staff have been very professional and only wanted the best outcome for me."
Frequently Asked Questions
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, pregnancies, previous surgeries, and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.
Our practice performs all cosmetic surgery procedures, including abdominoplasty, at our Accredited Ambulatory Surgical Facility (AAAASF) under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia, without the need for general anesthesia (painless during the procedure and minimal pain afterward). This provides added safety and faster recovery.
For further information or questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Dr. Ruff often uses some amount of liposuction to remove areas of fat in these procedures. But you can also choose to have him perform liposuction on your upper thighs or lower buttocks during your abdominoplasty. That way, you have just a single recovery rather than two.
Complications are rare, but as with any surgery, there are some potential risks. Dr. Ruff takes steps to minimize them.
- Infection: Very rare (under 1 in 1,500 cases).
- Blood clots: Lower risk with IV sedation and local anesthesia.
- Seroma: Temporary fluid buildup, usually managed with drains.
- Scarring: Typically placed low on the abdomen and tends to fade over time.
- Numbness: Common near incisions, often temporary.
Dr. Ruff will go over all risks and how he works to reduce them during your consultation.
Dr. Ruff typically places a horizontal incision low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length depends on how much skin needs to be removed and is usually kept within swimsuit or underwear lines when possible.
If you have loose skin above the belly button, he may make a second incision around the navel to allow for better skin tightening. The navel stays in its original position but may be brought through a new opening.
During the procedure, Dr. Ruff tightens loose abdominal muscles with sutures and removes excess skin, including areas with stretch marks. Some remaining stretch marks may appear smoother, but results vary.
Tummy tuck results can last for many years as long as your weight remains stable. The skin and fat that Dr. Ruff removes will not come back, and your repaired abdominal muscles should stay tightened. However, future weight gain or pregnancy can affect your results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps preserve your outcome over time.
Yes. You’ll need someone to stay with you for at least the first 24–48 hours after surgery. While Dr. Ruff’s use of Exparel helps keep discomfort low, you’ll still feel sore and will have limited mobility.
A family member, friend, or caregiver can help you move around, manage medications, and assist with basic tasks while you rest and recover.
One of the main goals of a tummy tuck is to repair diastasis recti, which occurs when the abdominal muscles separate, often due to pregnancy.
During surgery, Dr. Ruff brings the muscles back together and sutures them into place, helping to restore core strength.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re interested in learning more about Tummy Tucks in Houston, TX, please contact us at 713-468-5200 to schedule a consultation with our practice.
