Category: Tummy Tuck Surgery

Do I Need Liposuction Or A Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are both designed to improve the shape of the body. In some instances, both procedures are necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. In others, only one is needed to produce desirable results.

Dr. Ravi Somayazula is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience. During your initial consultation, he will carefully examine the areas you would like to improve to help you determine if tummy tuck, liposuction, or both will be best for your specific needs.

What is Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) removes loose and sagging skin from the body’s midsection. During full tummy tuck surgery, abdominal muscles are pulled together as well. This helps to highlight the natural contours of the waist. It also corrects diastasis recti, an issue that can lead to herniation, back pain, and diminished core strength.

Dr. Ravi offers both full and mini tummy tuck options. While both can produce remarkable results, neither is ideal for every need. Use the contact form on this page to schedule your consultation and learn which one is right for you.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits from the body. Dr. Ravi uses VASER High-Def Liposuction, which allows for more thorough fat removal from the arms, chest/breasts, buttocks, and thighs. Liposuction is also commonly used on the abdomen.

VASER Lipo is designed to maximize fat extraction while reducing bleeding, infection, and trauma risks. In addition, it offers a reduced recovery period and predictably pleasing results. During your initial consultation, Dr. Ravi can provide additional details about this advanced technique to help you determine if it’s right for you.
Infographic: Liposuction or tummy tuck

Combining Procedures

When there is excess skin around the belly and waist, chances are there’s a little bit of extra fat as well. Dr. Ravi commonly combines liposuction with tummy tuck surgery to fully sculpt and contour the midsection of the body. This is particularly common during procedures such as post-weight-loss surgery or mommy makeover, procedures which may also include additional body and breast options.

To learn if a single procedure or combination will more effectively help you reach your goals, please call Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics at 281-242-1061 and schedule a consultation today. We serve Houston and all surrounding areas of Texas.

Why Dr. Ravi’s Smart Tummy Tuck Includes VASER Liposuction

04/08/22

During tummy tuck surgery, fat that has proven difficult to eliminate through diet and exercise is removed from the abdominal area, allowing the underlying structure to be more fully defined. The removal of stubborn fat deposits is often necessary for proper sculpting during tummy tuck surgery and traditional liposuction is certainly an effective way to achieve this goal.

But it’s not the most effective way. Continue reading Why Dr. Ravi’s Smart Tummy Tuck Includes VASER Liposuction

Dr. Ravi’s Summer Body Transformation Guide

03/23/2022

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your body, now is a great time to take action. It can take several weeks or even a few months for results from non-surgical options to fully materialize. It may take a similar amount of time to fully recover from surgical options. If you are ready to transform your body for the better, give us a call today to schedule a consultation and let us help you look and feel your very best just in time for the summer. Continue reading Dr. Ravi’s Summer Body Transformation Guide

Five Procedures You Can Have as Part of Your Mommy Makeover

09/09/2021

Mommy makeover surgery is designed to address those areas most commonly impacted by pregnancy and nursing. Because pregnancy can have different effects on different women, it is important that each Mommy Makeover procedure be customized to meet the specific needs of the individual.  Also keep in mind that you do not have to have been pregnant or nursing to have a Mommy Makeover, any person who had more than one body area they are working on qualifies for a Mommy Makeover.

When you choose Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics for your procedure, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ravi Somayazula, will take time to understand your desires and fully assess your areas of concern before recommending which procedures will be most suitable for your needs.

Combining Procedures

While each mommy makeover surgery is customized, some procedures are more common than others. Five of the most common are:

  • Breast Augmentation. This procedure uses implants to restore volume to the breasts. Dr. Ravi also offers Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation for women who would prefer to avoid implants.
  • Breast Lift. This procedure addresses sagging breast tissue and nipple displacement, helping to restore a perky and ideally positioned breast mound. This can be performed with or without breast implants.
  • Liposuction. With liposuction, Dr. Ravi can remove stubborn deposits of fat from the thighs, hips, low back, abdomen, arms, and other areas holding weight from pregnancy. We offer the latest liposuction technique, including VASER liposuction to meet the specific needs of each individual
  • Abdominoplasty. Tummy tuck surgery is used to eliminate excess skin around the belly. It can also be used to trim the waist and reattach abdominal muscles that have become separated due to pregnancy
  • Arm Lift. Brachioplasty removes sagging skin and excess fat from the underside of the arm, helping to restore both form and comfort to the upper arms

In addition to these procedures, some Mommy Makeover surgeries can include other body procedures such as a Thigh Lift to remove excess skin from the upper legs, a Brazilian Buttock Lift to improve symmetry and restore volume in the buttocks, Labiaplasty for improved comfort in the vaginal area, and more.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

Each Mommy Makeover is unique. The best way to learn which procedures can help you reach your goals is through a one-on-one consultation at our comfortable Houston office. Please call Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics at 281-242-1061 to schedule your consultation today.

Four Reasons Dr. Ravi Always Recommends Liposuction with a Tummy Tuck for Best Results

08/20/2021

Tummy tuck surgery is designed to remove bulky and sagging skin from the midsection of the body. In some instances, a tummy tuck may be used to reattach abdominal muscles that have separated due to pregnancy or weight gain. The procedure may also be useful in the reduction of stretch marks. Tummy tuck does not address excess fat in and around the belly. Continue reading Four Reasons Dr. Ravi Always Recommends Liposuction with a Tummy Tuck for Best Results

Which Procedures Are Included in a Mommy Makeover?

6/15/2020

Having children is one of the most rewarding aspects of life, but it comes with changes that may neither encourage confidence nor feel particularly comfortable. Many of those changes may even prove resistant to diet and exercise, leaving many women to wonder if any solutions exist. Enter the Mommy Makeover, a procedure designed to address the physical changes caused by pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. Continue reading Which Procedures Are Included in a Mommy Makeover?

Five Things to Know About Dr. Ravi’s SMART Tummy Tuck

02/15/2020  

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is designed to eliminate excess skin and stubborn fat from the belly and waist. This procedure can also be used to reattach abdominal muscles that have become separated due to pregnancy or weight gain, a condition known as diastasis recti.

Dr. Ravi is known for his skill in addressing diastasis recti. Taking time to precisely align each muscle before reattaching and firming helps to produce optimal effect and results. Dr. Ravi’s advanced techniques, combined with his dedication to patient safety and satisfaction have made our practice a popular choice for patients from around the world.

If you are interested in learning how our advanced, individualized tummy tuck approach might benefit you, call 281-242-1061 to schedule a consultation at our Houston office today.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

There are two types of abdominoplasty: full and mini. Both require an incision just above the pubic area through which Dr. Ravi can remove excess fat, excise unnecessary skin, and access separated abdominal muscles. For a mini tuck, the incision will stop about midway across the abdomen. For a full tuck, the incision will extend from hip to hip.

Through these incisions, Dr. Ravi is able to eliminate stretched skin, tighten muscles, pull loose tissue taught, and remove unsightly fat. Belly button reshaping may take place following fat removal, but before the incisions are closed.

Five Common Questions About Our Tummy Tuck Procedure

What is the downtime following a SMART tummy tuck?

Most patients are able to resume working within two weeks. Jobs that require strenuous physical labor or heavy lifting will need to be avoided for up to six.

Is liposuction included in the tummy tuck procedure?

The SMART Tummy Tuck includes liposuction of the abdomen, waist and flanks, and mon’s area for overall abdominal contouring. Each procedure is tailored to the specific needs of the individual with liposuction being performed only on those areas where it will be useful.

Will surgical drains be necessary after tummy tuck surgery?

It is not uncommon to have one to two drains left in place for up to two weeks following surgery. These allow surgical and bodily fluids to more easily drain from the surgical area, helping to prevent infection and fluid retention. Drains are removed during a postoperative visit as soon as they are no longer needed.

When can I drive after my abdominoplasty procedure?

You will need a ride home from your procedure, but after that, you are free to drive as soon as you are:

  1. Off of all narcotic pain medications
  2. Comfortable operating a vehicle

Don’t rush your recovery. Listen to your body and closely follow our postoperative instructions. Dr. Ravi will work directly with you to help you determine when it is safe to resume normal activities.

How much pain will I be in after tummy tuck surgery?

Due to the special techniques Dr. Ravi uses, including the direct application of pain medication into the abdomen, our patients’ recovery is typically very comfortable. While some discomfort may be inevitable, following Dr. Ravi’s pre and postoperative instructions will help reduce risks of complications and allows for drastically improved comfort after the first few days.

Contact Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics to Learn More

To schedule a SMART tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Ravi, please call Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics at 281-242-1061 today. Located in Houston, we welcome abdominoplasty patients from The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, and throughout the world.