Among the most transformative body contouring procedures in cosmetic surgery, the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) addresses concerns that diet, exercise, and non-surgical treatments simply cannot correct. For women and men in Webster, TX and the greater Houston area, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth provides tummy tuck procedures with an emphasis on natural-looking, proportionate results and a commitment to patient education throughout every step of the process.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the abdomen, tightens the underlying abdominal muscles if they have separated, and repositions the navel to its natural location in the newly contoured abdomen. It is not a fat loss procedure—though it is frequently combined with liposuction to address adjacent fat deposits simultaneously.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. Depending on the extent of skin removal needed, a tummy tuck may be categorized as mini, standard, extended, or circumferential (body lift). Dr. Wentworth evaluates each patient’s anatomy during the consultation to recommend the most appropriate approach.

What a Tummy Tuck Can Address

What a Tummy Tuck Cannot Address

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The Tummy Tuck Scar

A tummy tuck leaves a horizontal scar across the lower abdomen, typically placed within or near the bikini line. The scar extends from hip to hip—the length varies depending on the amount of skin removed. Over the first twelve to eighteen months, the scar progresses from pink and slightly raised to flat and pale. Most patients find the scar well worth the improvement in abdominal contour, and it is concealed by most swimwear and underwear.

Recovery in the Webster/Houston Climate

Houston’s warm, humid climate creates some specific recovery considerations—particularly regarding compression garment wear. Dr. Wentworth advises patients to stay in air-conditioned environments as much as possible during the first four to six weeks, choose moisture-wicking compression garments, and stay well hydrated throughout the recovery period.

Combining a Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures

Tummy tuck is frequently combined with liposuction, breast surgery, and other body contouring procedures as part of a comprehensive mommy makeover. Combining procedures allows patients to address multiple concerns in a single anesthesia and recovery period, which most patients find significantly more convenient than staging procedures separately.

Dr. Wentworth provides tummy tuck procedures to patients in Webster, League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Houston, and surrounding Southeast Texas communities. To discuss whether a tummy tuck is right for you, schedule a consultation at wentworthplasticsurgery.com.

Choosing to have breast augmentation is a significant decision—one that deserves thoughtful preparation and realistic expectations. Patients who arrive at their consultation well-informed are better positioned to ask the right questions, understand the recommendations they receive, and ultimately feel confident in their decision. At Wentworth Plastic Surgery in Webster, TX, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth is committed to an educational, pressure-free consultation experience that puts the patient’s goals and safety first.

Understanding Your Goals Before You Walk In

The most productive consultations begin with the patient having a reasonably clear sense of her goals. Spend some time before your appointment thinking about:

What the Consultation Will Cover

A thorough breast augmentation consultation at Wentworth Plastic Surgery includes:

What to Bring to Your Consultation

Questions to Ask During Your Consultation

After the Consultation: What to Expect

After your consultation, take time to review the information before making a decision. A reputable practice will never pressure you into booking immediately. Most patients schedule their surgery within a few weeks to a couple of months after the consultation once they feel fully informed and confident.

Dr. Wentworth provides breast augmentation to patients in Webster, Houston, League City, Friendswood, Pearland, and the surrounding Southeast Texas area. Schedule your consultation at wentworthplasticsurgery.com to get started.

Mastopexy augmentation, the combination of a breast lift and breast implants in a single surgical session, is one of the most commonly requested combination procedures in cosmetic surgery. It addresses the two most common post-pregnancy breast concerns simultaneously: loss of volume and ptosis (drooping). Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth at her Webster, TX practice near Houston performs mastopexy augmentation with careful attention to the technical demands of this complex procedure.

Why Is Mastopexy Augmentation More Complex Than Either Procedure Alone?

Breast augmentation alone and breast lift alone are both well-established procedures. When combined, they create a technically more challenging situation because the two procedures work in some ways against each other:

Choosing an implant that is too large can stretch the lift repair and accelerate the return of ptosis. Dr. Wentworth approaches mastopexy augmentation planning with careful attention to these interdependencies.

Who Is the Best Candidate for Mastopexy Augmentation?

Implant Selection in Mastopexy Augmentation

Implant size selection in mastopexy augmentation requires more conservative judgment than in standalone augmentation. A general principle: a moderate, anatomy-appropriate implant size supports the longevity of the lift result better than an oversized implant. Dr. Wentworth guides patients through implant selection with this principle clearly explained.

Staging: One Surgery or Two?

Some surgeons recommend staging mastopexy augmentation as two separate surgeries, performing the lift first, allowing full healing, and then adding the implant. This staged approach offers more control over each individual result but requires two recovery periods. Dr. Wentworth will discuss her recommended approach for each patient’s specific anatomy and degree of ptosis during the consultation.

Recovery From Mastopexy Augmentation

Recovery follows the lift recovery timeline: a surgical bra for three to four weeks, activity restriction for four to six weeks, and final result visible at three to six months. The recovery is not significantly longer than a lift alone because the two procedures are performed during the same anesthesia period.

Dr. Wentworth provides mastopexy augmentation to patients in Webster, Houston, Friendswood, Pearland, League City, and surrounding Houston communities. To discuss whether mastopexy augmentation is right for you, schedule a consultation at wentworthplasticsurgery.com.

After significant weight loss, whether achieved through bariatric surgery, diet and exercise, or a combination, many patients face the next challenge: excess skin that diet, exercise, and time cannot address. Two of the most commonly considered surgical solutions are the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and the lower body lift (belt lipectomy). Understanding the difference between these procedures is essential for choosing the right one. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth at her Webster, TX practice helps post-weight-loss patients throughout the Houston area make this decision with clear, individualized guidance.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck addresses the front of the abdomen. It removes excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen, tightens the underlying rectus muscles if they have separated, and repositions the navel. The incision is placed low on the abdomen, typically within the bikini line, and extends horizontally from hip to hip. A standard tummy tuck does not address the back, flanks, buttocks, or outer thighs.

What Is a Lower Body Lift?

A lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy or circumferential body lift, extends the tummy tuck incision entirely around the waistline, like a belt. This single circumferential incision allows the surgeon to address not just the front of the abdomen but also the flanks (love handles), the outer thighs, and the buttocks, all in a single operation.

How to Know Which You Need

You May Need a Tummy Tuck If:

You May Need a Lower Body Lift If:

Weight Stability Before Surgery

Both procedures should ideally be performed when weight has been stable for a minimum of twelve months. Significant weight changes after body contouring surgery can compromise the results. Nutritional health, particularly protein intake and micronutrient levels in post-bariatric patients, should also be optimized before surgery.

Can Procedures Be Staged?

Yes. For patients with extensive skin excess in multiple areas, staging procedures over time, rather than attempting everything in a single extended surgery, is often the safest approach. Dr. Wentworth will recommend a sequencing plan based on each patient’s anatomy and health status.

Dr. Wentworth provides tummy tuck and lower body lift procedures to patients in Webster, Houston, Friendswood, Pearland, and the surrounding Southeast Texas area. To discuss which approach is right for you, schedule a consultation at wentworthplasticsurgery.com.

An arm lift (brachioplasty) is one of the most effective procedures for addressing the loose inner upper arm skin that follows significant weight loss or natural aging. But if you are considering, or recovering from, an arm lift in the Webster, TX area this summer, there are summer-specific considerations that Dr. Monica Wentworth wants you to understand. Houston-area summers are hot, humid, and demanding; recovery requires a thoughtful approach.

The Summer Arm Lift Recovery Challenge

Arm lift recovery requires wearing a compression garment on both upper arms for four to six weeks. In Houston’s summer heat, with temperatures regularly in the 90s°F and humidity that makes everything feel ten degrees hotter, this is genuinely uncomfortable. Add to this the fact that the inner arm incision is in an area that tends to sweat, and summer arm lift recovery requires intentional management.

Managing Compression in Houston Summer Heat

Sun Exposure and Arm Lift Scars

The arm lift incision runs along the inner upper arm, an area that is often visible in summer clothing. Sun protection for this scar is particularly important:

Activity Restrictions in Summer

One of the most impactful summer restrictions after arm lift surgery involves reach and overhead movement, both of which are natural parts of summer activities (reaching for items at a pool, playing outdoor games, water activities). Arm lift patients should be aware:

The Strategic Alternative: Plan Now for Fall Surgery

For patients who have been considering an arm lift but are not yet committed to summer surgery, fall presents a compelling alternative. A September or October arm lift in the Webster/Houston area means:

To discuss whether summer or fall arm lift timing is right for your situation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wentworth at her Webster, TX practice.

Dr. Wentworth provides arm lift surgery to patients in Webster, League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Houston, and the surrounding Southeast Texas area. Contact Wentworth Plastic Surgery to plan your procedure.

If you have been thinking about a breast lift and summer swimsuit season has brought those thoughts into sharp focus, you are right on time, but perhaps not for the timeline you are imagining. For many Houston-area patients, summer is not the optimal time to schedule a breast lift, but it is the perfect time to research, consult, and plan for a fall procedure that delivers results right as next summer arrives. Dr. Monica Wentworth at her Webster, TX practice helps patients think strategically about procedure timing.

Why Summer Reveals What a Breast Lift Can Address

There is something clarifying about swimsuit season. Many women notice drooping or deflation that clothing conceals effectively but swimwear does not. Summer is when ptosis (breast drooping) becomes most visible, and when the motivation to address it is strongest. This makes summer an excellent time for consultation and decision-making, even if surgery itself is better suited for fall.

The Case for Fall Breast Lift Surgery in Houston

Beat the Heat

Breast lift recovery involves a surgical bra worn for three to four weeks and activity restrictions that include no vigorous upper body movement for four to six weeks. In Houston’s summer heat and humidity, wearing a surgical bra around the clock is uncomfortable in ways that fall weather simply does not present. October and November in Houston are mild, compression and restricted activity are far more manageable.

The Scar Timing Advantage

Breast lift scars require twelve months of sun protection. A fall breast lift means the scars reach the three-month maturation milestone (when they are most significantly faded and stable) in January or February, and by the following June, they have had nine to ten months to mature. Summer swimwear exposure is much more comfortable when scars are in later-stage healing rather than early-stage healing.

Optimal Result Visibility

Breast lift results are best at three to six months post-op, when all swelling has resolved and the breast has settled into its final position and shape. A fall procedure means the ideal result window is spring, right as swimsuit season approaches. Timing surgery for spring reveal is the strategic advantage of fall scheduling.

What to Do This Summer: The Research and Consultation Phase

Summer is not a wasted time for breast lift patients who plan to schedule in fall. Use this period to:

What the Breast Lift Consultation Involves

During your summer consultation at Wentworth Plastic Surgery, Dr. Wentworth will assess your breast anatomy, including the degree of ptosis, existing volume, skin quality, and nipple position, and recommend the most appropriate lift technique. She will review before-and-after photographs, explain scar patterns and their location, and help you understand whether a lift alone or a combined lift and augmentation is more appropriate for your goals.

To schedule your summer consultation and plan for fall surgery, contact Wentworth Plastic Surgery in Webster, TX.

Dr. Wentworth provides breast lift surgery to patients in Webster, Houston, Friendswood, Pearland, Galveston, and surrounding Houston communities. Use summer to plan, then schedule your fall procedure with Dr. Wentworth.

Loose, sagging skin on the inner upper arms, often called bat wings, is one of the most common concerns among patients who have experienced significant weight loss or the natural effects of aging. This excess skin cannot be toned through exercise and is difficult to conceal. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth, serving Webster, TX and the greater Houston area, provides arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) with an emphasis on natural-looking, well-healed results that help patients feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.

What Causes Loose Upper Arm Skin?

Loose upper arm skin develops when the skin has been stretched over time, due to weight gain, aging, or significant hormonal changes, and then loses the elasticity needed to retract. The inner upper arm is particularly susceptible because the skin in this area is thin and has limited structural support. After major weight loss, the loss of subcutaneous fat volume exacerbates the degree of sagging.

What Is an Arm Lift?

Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, typically from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow. The result is a firmer, more toned arm contour. The incision is placed on the inner surface of the upper arm, where it is concealed when the arms rest at the sides. In patients with minimal excess skin, a mini arm lift with a shorter scar limited to the axillary area may be appropriate.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

A key element of candidacy is realistic scar expectations. All arm lifts leave a scar on the inner arm, and while this scar typically heals well and becomes less visible over time, it is permanent. Most patients find the improved contour is a worthwhile trade-off for a well-placed scar that is not visible when the arms are at rest.

Liposuction and the Arm Lift

In patients with excess fat in addition to excess skin, liposuction may be performed at the same time as the arm lift to remove stubborn fat deposits and refine the arm contour. Dr. Wentworth will assess whether liposuction is an appropriate addition during the consultation.

The Surgical Procedure

Arm lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and takes approximately one to two hours. Dr. Wentworth places the incision carefully on the inner arm and closes it in multiple layers to support healing and optimize scar quality.

Recovery From Arm Lift Surgery

Most patients take one to two weeks off work following an arm lift. Swelling, bruising, and tightness in the arms are expected during this period. Compression garments are worn for four to six weeks to support healing. Strenuous activity, lifting, and reaching overhead are restricted for four to six weeks.

Final arm contour results are visible at three to six months once swelling has fully resolved. Scars are typically pink and visible in the early months but soften and fade significantly over twelve to eighteen months with proper scar care.

Combining With Other Body Contouring Procedures

Arm lift surgery is frequently combined with other body contouring procedures as part of a comprehensive post-weight-loss plan. Common combinations include tummy tuck, thigh lift, or breast lift. Dr. Wentworth will discuss the safest and most effective sequencing or combination for your specific goals and health status.

Dr. Wentworth provides arm lift surgery to patients in Webster, League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Houston, and the surrounding Southeast Texas area. To find out if you’re a candidate, schedule a consultation at Wentworth Plastic Surgery.CONTACT DR. MONICA WENTWORTH FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Dr. Wentworth and the treatments and procedures she performs please click here or call us at 713-702-7114.

Two of the most commonly requested breast procedures, breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation, are frequently confused or conflated, yet they serve fundamentally different purposes. Choosing the wrong procedure, or pursuing one when the other is actually needed, leads to disappointing results. Dr. Monica Wentworth, a board-certified plastic surgeon at her Webster, TX practice serving the greater Houston area, helps patients navigate this distinction with clarity and expertise.

Understanding the Root Cause of Your Concern

The first step in choosing between a breast lift and augmentation, or determining whether you need both, is identifying what specifically bothers you about your current breast appearance. Is the primary issue a lack of volume? Or is it the position of the breasts, with nipples pointing downward or sitting below the inframammary fold? This distinction determines everything about which procedure is appropriate.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation uses silicone or saline implants to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. It adds volume, it does not change the position of the breast on the chest wall or lift the nipple-areola complex to a higher position. Augmentation is best suited for patients who are happy with the position of their breasts and who primarily want more size, fullness, or improved cleavage.

When augmentation is performed on a breast that has significant drooping, the added weight can make the ptosis more visible rather than less. This is why implants alone are not a substitute for a breast lift when meaningful ptosis is present.

What Is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?

A breast lift reshapes and repositions the breast tissue, elevating the nipple-areola complex to a higher position on the chest wall and restoring a more youthful breast contour. It removes excess skin, firms the breast envelope, and creates a more projected, rounded shape. Importantly, a breast lift does not add volume, it works with the existing breast tissue.

Common causes of breast ptosis that may indicate a lift is needed include pregnancy and breastfeeding, significant weight loss, aging, and prolonged sports without adequate bra support.

The Pencil Test: A Simple Self-Assessment

A commonly used self-assessment is the pencil test: place a pencil in the fold beneath your breast. If your nipple falls below the pencil, you have ptosis that would benefit from a lift. If your nipple sits above the pencil and your primary concern is size, augmentation alone may be sufficient. This is a rough guide, the consultation with Dr. Wentworth will involve a more thorough assessment.

Combining Breast Lift and Augmentation

Many women, particularly those who have experienced post-pregnancy breast changes, have both volume loss and drooping. For these patients, a combined breast lift and augmentation is the most effective solution: the lift addresses position and restores shape, while the implant restores the lost volume. This combination can produce dramatic, satisfying results and is one of the most commonly performed combinations in breast surgery.

The combined procedure is technically more involved than either alone, as the two procedures must be coordinated carefully. Dr. Wentworth will discuss the specific technique she recommends based on your breast anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals.

Scarring Considerations

Breast augmentation involves small incisions, typically in the inframammary fold, around the areola, or in the axilla, that heal to fine, well-concealed scars. A breast lift involves more extensive incisions whose pattern depends on the degree of ptosis:

Breast lift scars fade significantly over twelve to eighteen months with appropriate scar care. Most patients find the improved shape and position well worth the trade-off.

Recovery for Breast Procedures

Recovery from breast augmentation alone typically involves three to five days of significant rest and two to three weeks before returning to work. A combined lift and augmentation generally requires two to three weeks before returning to work and six weeks before resuming exercise. Dr. Wentworth provides detailed post-operative guidance and is accessible throughout the recovery period.

Dr. Wentworth provides breast augmentation, breast lift, and combination procedures to patients in Webster, Houston, Friendswood, Pearland, Galveston, and the surrounding Houston area. Request a breast consultation to determine the right approach for you.CONTACT DR. MONICA WENTWORTH FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Dr. Wentworth and the treatments and procedures she performs please click here or call us at 713-702-7114.

Significant weight loss is a major achievement, but it can leave behind excess skin and changes in body contour. Body contouring procedures help refine your shape and enhance the results of your hard work.

Proper planning is essential to achieving the best outcome. Female board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Monica Wentworth provides liposuction to patients in Webster, TX and surrounding areas.

Common Concerns After Weight Loss

Patients often experience:

These changes can affect multiple areas of the body.

Popular Body Contouring Procedures

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Improves the appearance of the upper arms.

Thigh Lift

Addresses sagging in the inner or outer thighs.

Body Lift

Targets multiple areas for comprehensive improvement.

Why Timing Matters

It is important to wait until:

This helps ensure long-lasting results.

Planning Your Procedure

Staged vs Combined Procedures

Some patients choose to address multiple areas at once, while others prefer staged procedures.

Customized Approach

Treatment plans are tailored based on:

Recovery Considerations

Recovery depends on the procedures performed but may include:

Achieving Natural, Proportional Results

The goal of body contouring is to enhance your natural shape and create smooth, balanced contours.

Contact Us

If you have achieved significant weight loss and are considering body contouring, we can help you plan the next step. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your goals.

CONTACT DR. MONICA WENTWORTH FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Dr. Wentworth and the treatments and procedures she performs please click here or call us at 713-702-7114.

Cellulite is a common concern that affects many individuals, regardless of body weight or fitness level. While liposuction is effective for removing fat and improving body contours, it is not always the ideal solution for cellulite.

Understanding what liposuction can and cannot do is important when considering treatment options. Female board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Monica Wentworth provides liposuction to patients in Webster, TX and surrounding areas.

What Is Cellulite

Cellulite occurs when fat pushes against connective tissue beneath the skin, creating a dimpled or uneven appearance.

Common areas include:

How Liposuction Works

Liposuction removes localized fat deposits to improve body contour. It is designed to:

Why Liposuction Does Not Directly Treat Cellulite

Cellulite is primarily caused by fibrous bands beneath the skin, not just excess fat. Removing fat alone does not address these structural bands.

In some cases, liposuction may even make cellulite more noticeable if skin elasticity is limited.

When Liposuction May Help

Liposuction can indirectly improve the appearance of cellulite by:

However, results vary depending on skin quality and severity of cellulite.

Better Treatments for Cellulite

Treatments specifically designed for cellulite include:

These target the underlying cause rather than just fat.

Combining Treatments for Best Results

Many patients benefit from combining liposuction with other treatments to:

Setting Realistic Expectations

Understanding the limitations of liposuction helps ensure satisfaction with results.

Contact Us

If you are considering body contouring and want to address cellulite concerns, we can help you choose the most effective approach. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and explore your options.

CONTACT DR. MONICA WENTWORTH FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Dr. Wentworth and the treatments and procedures she performs please click here or call us at 713-702-7114.