Model Body · Skin removal & muscle repair
When loose skin and separated muscles are what stand between you and a flat, strong midsection, exercise alone won’t get there. A tummy tuck removes the excess, repairs the core and restores a contour that holds.
About the procedure
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and, when needed, repairs abdominal muscles that have separated along the midline. The result is a flatter, firmer midsection and, for many patients, a core that feels stronger and more stable. It is most often chosen after pregnancy or significant weight loss, when the skin and muscle have stretched past the point of recovering on their own.
Dr. Khan treats a tummy tuck as both a functional and an aesthetic operation. She assesses the degree of muscle separation, how much skin can be removed and where the scar will sit, then recommends the technique, from a mini tummy tuck to a circumferential approach, that fits your anatomy rather than a one-size plan.
The Empowered approach
She evaluates function as well as appearance. Muscle separation is measured and, when present, repaired with internal sutures that bring the muscles back to the midline, which supports the core as well as flattening the abdomen. Skin removal and liposuction of the flanks are planned around that repair so the waist reads as one continuous shape.
The scar gets careful attention. She plans the incision low enough to sit beneath underwear and swimwear, closes in layers to keep tension off the skin edge, and reviews scar care with you after surgery. For patients combining a tummy tuck with breast surgery or other contouring, she sequences everything as part of a single plan.
Tummy tuck surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, particularly when abdominal muscle repair is part of the procedure. For appropriate candidates having a limited-scope mini tummy tuck, an awake approach using the tumescent technique may be an option.
The right choice depends on the scope of your procedure, your medical history and your comfort. Dr. Khan reviews the options at consultation and recommends the approach that fits your plan.
How awake surgery works
Who it may suit
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation, after an examination and a review of your medical history.
Model What to expect
About an hour with Dr. Khan to discuss what bothers you about your abdomen, measure muscle separation and skin laxity, and decide which technique fits and whether liposuction or other procedures belong in the plan.
Pre-operative instructions, lab work as needed, arranging help at home for the first week or two, and planning time away from work and lifting.
Through a low horizontal incision, the muscles are repaired if needed, excess skin and fat are removed, the navel is repositioned in a full tummy tuck, and the incision is closed in layers. The anesthesia plan is confirmed with you beforehand.
You walk slightly bent at first and wear a compression garment while swelling settles. Activity returns in stages at scheduled visits, and established surgical patients have a direct way to reach Dr. Khan after hours.
Recovery
The first phase means rest, short walks, no lifting and a compression garment. Light activity and desk work return first, usually within a couple of weeks, followed by gentle cardio, and finally full exercise and core work later in recovery as Dr. Khan clears each step. Patients with muscle repair tend to feel tightness through the abdomen for several weeks as the repair settles.
Swelling resolves gradually, so the final contour takes months to appear. The scar looks red and raised at first and typically fades over twelve to eighteen months. Dr. Khan may recommend silicone sheets or other scar care to support that process.
Risks and limitations
Every surgery carries risk. These are the ones most relevant to this procedure; Dr. Khan reviews your personal risk profile and the alternatives with you before anything is scheduled.
Before & after
Before-and-after photographs for tummy tuck are not currently featured on this page. Explore the patient gallery to view available results, or ask to see cases like yours at your consultation.
Every photograph in the gallery is one of Dr. Khan's own patients, shared with consent. Individual results vary.
FAQ
Every answer here is general information. Your own plan, risks and recovery are discussed in person at your consultation.
Yes, muscle repair is a standard part of a full tummy tuck when the abdominal muscles have separated. Dr. Khan brings the muscles back together along the midline with internal sutures, which flattens the bulge and gives the core better support. Some patients also notice improvement in posture or lower back strain, though that varies. A later pregnancy or significant weight gain can stretch the repair again.
Liposuction removes fat but does nothing for loose skin or separated muscles. A tummy tuck removes the skin and repairs the muscle, and can include liposuction of the flanks for a smoother waist. If your skin snaps back well and fat is the main issue, liposuction alone may be enough. If the skin hangs or you have a midline bulge, a tummy tuck is the operation that addresses it. Dr. Khan examines both at consultation.
The main incision runs horizontally across the lower abdomen, generally from hip to hip in a full tummy tuck and shorter in a mini, placed low enough to sit beneath underwear and swimwear. A full tummy tuck also leaves a small scar around the navel. Scars are permanent, but they fade considerably over twelve to eighteen months with good scar care.
For appropriate candidates, yes. A limited-scope mini tummy tuck that does not involve muscle repair may be performed awake using the tumescent technique. A full tummy tuck with muscle repair is typically done under general anesthesia. Dr. Khan reviews which approach fits your plan and your health history.
Plan on roughly two weeks before desk work and light activity feel comfortable, with a gradual return to exercise over the following weeks and core work last. You will need help at home at first, and lifting is restricted for several weeks. Final results continue to develop over several months as swelling resolves.
Often, yes. Liposuction of the waist and flanks is the most common addition. Many patients combine a tummy tuck with a breast lift or augmentation as part of a mommy makeover, and patients after major weight loss sometimes pair it with an arm lift or thigh lift. Whether to combine or stage depends on the total scope and your recovery.
Related reading
Request a consultation
Consultation fees are currently waived. Plan on about an hour with Dr. Khan, in person in Sugar Land or virtually, to talk through goals, candidacy and the approach that fits you.
New patients can book a consultation; existing patients can book a treatment, follow-up or post-op visit. Opens PatientNow’s secure booking page in a new tab.
Call (281) 716-3224 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sugar Land, Texas · Virtual consultations available