A Clearer Plan for the Changes Exercise Cannot Address
Personalized abdominal contouring from a double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 17 years of surgical experience.

Pregnancy, significant weight changes, and aging can stretch abdominal skin and muscles in ways that exercise cannot reverse. Even after reaching a stable weight, some patients still notice loose skin, a lower-abdominal bulge, or reduced support in the midsection.
For Pasadena patients considering abdominal contouring, atummy tuck can remove excess skin and repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles when appropriate.
A tummy tuck in Pasadena may be worth discussing if you:
Have loose or hanging abdominal skin
Notice a lower-abdominal bulge that remains at a stable weight
Have stretched or separated abdominal muscles
Are in good overall health
Do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
Have realistic expectations about scars and recovery
Are not planning a future pregnancy
Dr. Stan reviews your health, anatomy, goals, and ability to recover before recommending a surgical plan.
No two patients begin with the same amount of loose skin, muscle separation, or abdominal contour. Reviewing Dr. Stan’s results can help you compare changes in waist definition, skin removal, belly-button placement, and scar position across different starting anatomies.
The location and extent of loose skin help determine the most appropriate tummy tuck approach. Dr. Stan evaluates the upper and lower abdomen, abdominal muscles, waist, flanks, and previous scars before recommending a technique.
A full tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower abdomen. Dr. Stan can remove excess skin, repair separated muscles, and reposition the belly button when needed.
A mini tummy tuck focuses on the area beneath the belly button. It uses a shorter incision and may be appropriate when loose skin and muscle separation are limited to the lower abdomen.
An extended tummy tuck treats the abdomen and continues toward the waist and flanks. The longer incision allows Dr. Stan to address loose skin that extends beyond the front of the body.
A drainless tummy tuck uses internal progressive-tension sutures to reduce open space beneath the skin. This approach may eliminate the need for external drains in appropriate patients. The underlying procedure can still be a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck planning can involve skin removal, muscle repair, liposuction, belly-button positioning, and scar placement.Dr. Stanley Ogu’s surgical training allows him to evaluate how these decisions may affect the abdomen, waist, and surrounding contours.
Pasadena patients choose Dr. Stan for:
Double board certification in plastic surgery and general surgery
More than 17 years of surgical experience
Chief-resident experience in both surgical specialties
Advanced plastic and reconstructive surgery training
Experience with mini, full, extended, and drainless tummy tuck techniques
Individualized planning based on skin laxity, muscle condition, and body proportions
Clear conversations about risks, scars, recovery, and realistic outcomes
Follow-up care based on the complete surgical plan
Dr. Stan recommends the technique and extent of correction that fit the patient’s anatomy instead of applying one tummy tuck plan to everyone.
Loose abdominal skin alone does not determine whether someone is ready for surgery. Dr. Stan also reviews general health, weight stability, smoking status, medications, previous operations, recovery support, and plans for future pregnancy.
You may be a candidate if you:
Are healthy enough to undergo elective surgery
Have maintained a stable weight
Do not smoke or can stop as directed
Can arrange help during the early stages of recovery
Understand that a tummy tuck leaves a permanent scar
Have realistic expectations about healing and results
Are not planning a future pregnancy
A tummy tuck may not be the most appropriate procedure when the primary concern is localized fat or when loose skin extends around several areas of the body.


Depending on your concerns, Dr. Stan may discuss:
A body lift when loose skin affects several areas after significant weight loss
Liposuction when the primary concern is localized fat
A mommy makeover when abdominal and breast concerns are being addressed together
Rib remodeling for selected patients considering additional waist-contouring options
A Brazilian Butt Lift when buttock contouring and fat transfer are part of the plan
An arm lift orthigh lift when loose skin affects the limbs
Fat transfer when adding volume to another area is appropriate
Dr. Stan considers health, procedure length, and recovery requirements before recommending combined procedures.
“I cannot express enough how thrilled I am with the results of my procedures!”
A tummy tuck is generally performed under general anesthesia and may take two to four hours. The procedure varies based on the amount of loose skin, muscle separation, selected technique, and whether additional contouring is included.
During surgery, Dr. Stan may:
Make a low horizontal incision above the pubic area
Repair separated or weakened abdominal muscles
Remove loose, stretched skin
Use liposuction when additional waist or abdominal contouring is appropriate
Reposition the belly button during a full or extended tummy tuck
Close the incision and apply a compression garment
Not every patient requires every step. The operative plan is based on the patient’s anatomy and the extent of correction being performed.

Swelling, tightness, soreness, and limited mobility are common during early tummy tuck recovery. Your timeline depends on the technique used, whether the abdominal muscles were repaired, and whether liposuction or another procedure was included.
A general recovery timeline may include:
First week
Rest and limited movement are important. Patients typically wear a compression garment and follow specific instructions for walking, sleeping, and incision care.
Weeks 2-4
Movement generally becomes more comfortable, and some patients begin returning to light daily activities.
Weeks 6-8
More strenuous activity may gradually resume after Dr. Stan confirms that healing is progressing appropriately.
3 Months Post-Op
Much of the swelling has improved, allowing the abdominal contour to become clearer.
6-12 Months Post-Op
The scar continues to mature as the result becomes established.
Future pregnancy and significant weight changes can affect the abdominal contour. Stable weight can help preserve the result.
Tummy tuck pricing depends on the selected technique, amount of correction, anesthesia, facility needs, and whether another procedure is included. Dr. Stan’s team provides a personalized estimate after evaluating your anatomy and surgical plan.
Available financing providers include:
Cherry
CareCredit
Alphaeon Credit
PatientFi
Approval requirements, interest rates, and repayment terms vary. You can compare the practice’s plastic surgery financing options before deciding whether a payment plan fits your needs.

Cost depends on the selected technique, amount of skin and muscle correction, anesthesia, facility fees, and whether liposuction or another procedure is included. Dr. Stan’s team provides an individualized estimate after the consultation.
A tummy tuck carries risks, including bleeding, infection, fluid buildup, delayed healing, blood clots, changes in sensation, scarring, and complications related to anesthesia. Dr. Stan will review your health history, individual risks, and the precautions used throughout surgery and recovery.
Patients should generally be near a stable weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. The procedure removes loose skin and repairs muscles when needed, but it is not designed to produce significant weight loss.
Dr. Stan evaluates the abdomen in relation to the waist, flanks, hips, skin laxity, muscle condition, and existing scars. These factors help determine the appropriate technique, incision placement, and amount of correction.
Scar length depends on whether the procedure is mini, full, or extended. The incision is generally positioned low above the pubic area, but healing and final scar visibility vary between patients.
In-person consultations and follow-up appointments are coordinated through Dr. Stan Plastic Surgery’s Sugar Land office at 15591 Creek Bend Drive, Suite 100. A complimentary coordinator consultation or photo consultation can help begin the process before an in-person visit.
The care team supports communication, scheduling, preparation, and follow-up throughout the surgical process.
Dr. Stanley Ogu, Lead Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Stan evaluates your anatomy, develops the surgical plan, performs the procedure, and monitors recovery.
Uche, FNP, Aesthetic Injector: Uche provides non-surgical aesthetic treatments for patients interested in addressing separate facial or skin concerns.
Maria, Office Manager: Maria helps coordinate appointments and office communication.
Alicia, Consultant and Patient Coordinator: Alicia explains consultation options, assists with planning, and serves as a resource before surgery.
Marivel, Medical Assistant: Marivel assists with preparation, procedural support, and postoperative care.
A consultation can clarify which tummy tuck technique may fit your anatomy, whether muscle repair or additional contouring may be appropriate, and what recovery could require.
Dr. Stan and his team can review your concerns and help you understand the available options without assuming that one procedure fits every patient.
