Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal wall. Pregnancy, weight changes, aging, and other factors can result in redundant skin that is difficult to address on one’s own. Weakened or separated abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy or weight gain can also result in a protruding belly. Tummy tuck surgery can address these issues for a tighter, flatter abdomen.
Are you tired of living with a stubborn belly pooch that does not seem to go away, despite your efforts of diet and exercise? At New Image Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lisa Brostrom and Dr. Dallas Homas have helped thousands of patients improve their well-being with innovative body treatments.
Contact our office or call (210) 640-6310 to learn more about how we can help you achieve a more defined figure.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Tummy Tucks
If you are struggling with excess abdominal skin, a tummy tuck can improve the appearance of your midsection by removing the excess tissue and repairing the abdominal muscles. As we age, the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin decline, making the skin less elastic. Rolls of skin can cause discomfort by bulging under clothing, causing chafing or potential skin tears, and resulting in potential hygienic issues with rashes and fungal infections.
After giving birth or experiencing significant weight loss, weakened abdominal muscles can cause back pain as well. Removing excess skin and bringing the abdominal muscles back together with a tummy tuck can address all of these issues, often resulting in improved self-esteem and quality of life. (1)
After weight loss or hormonal changes, it is common to develop fat deposits in unwanted areas that are especially difficult to address with dieting and exercise. If you experience these exercise-resistant pockets of fat affecting your proportions, we can combine the tummy tuck procedure with liposuction to help further sculpt the midsection.
A tummy tuck also effectively lifts the pubic area or mons which has often become droopy and falls with age, weight gain and loss and pregnancy. It also effectively rejuvenates the groin region and lifts the front and sides of the thighs. At New Image Plastic Surgery, we perform drainless tummy tucks to improve the comfort of our patients.
Tummy Tuck 360, Lower Body Lift, or Belt Lipectomy After Weight Loss
A tummy tuck 360 or Lower Body Lift is specifically designed for weight loss patients with a large amount of excess skin which extends to the back of the waist or around the back. During this procedure, your surgeon can remove significantly more loose and sagging skin over the back of the waist, the lower back and buttocks so that you can more fully enjoy the results of your weight loss journey. This procedure is completely transformative and lifts the front, the sides, and backs of the thighs, eliminates the hip rolls and lower back rolls while giving a great buttock lift and reshaping the buttocks. Because of the extent of the skin removal for tummy tuck 360, we do leave drains to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal wall or region of the back or buttocks. These usually remain in place 1-2 weeks.
The recovery period for the tummy tuck 360 or lower body lift is very similar to that for an extended tummy tuck. We recommend taking 2 -3 weeks off of work depending on the physical demands associated with your job. Afterward, you will need to wear a special surgical compression garment to help reduce swelling, improve blood circulation, and hold the tissues in place.
Benefits
The benefits of a tummy tuck include:
- Smoother midsection: Removing loose skin can help you achieve a smoother, more athletic midsection.
- Improved core strength: If you are suffering from stretched abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), (2) your surgeon can tighten them during the procedure to improve your core strength.
- Balanced proportions: If you would like to achieve a more sculpted appearance that brings out your natural curves, removing the excess skin can balance the proportions.
- Improved clothing options: After the procedure, many patients find clothing that fits better, and they feel more confident wearing more fitted attire.
- Fewer stretch marks: If you have lower abdominal stretch marks, removing excess skin can reduce their appearance significantly.
- Long-lasting results: If you lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy long-lasting results.
- Improved self-esteem: Many patients experience improved self-esteem after the procedure as they feel more comfortable in clothing and while performing their daily activities.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for a tummy tuck include individuals who have:
- Excess abdominal skin
- Hernias
- A weakened abdominal wall
Tummy tuck candidates should also be capable and willing to maintain a stable weight, as significant weight gain or weight loss after this procedure can impact the body contouring results. Tummy tuck results will be most effective for candidates who make healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.
The best candidates are also those who are not planning to have more children immediately after their tummy tuck, because pregnancy can stretch the skin further. It is also important to have realistic expectations about what surgeons can achieve with this kind of procedure. It is important to keep in mind that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery, it is rather designated as a body sculpting procedure. Fat that is around your internal organs within your abdominal cavity is not accessible with this surgery and will be unchanged.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, your surgeon will ask about your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle to determine the best treatment plan for your aesthetic goals. If you have significant excess skin in other areas that you would like to address, you may benefit from additional procedures to achieve your body contouring goals.
After adhering to a medically-assisted weight loss regimen, it is especially common for patients to experience “Ozempic face” or “Ozempic butt,” terms which refer to the way that certain areas lose volume after rapid weight loss, causing a hollow or deflated look. Your surgeon will discuss all of the procedure options with you at this time if you are concerned about these issues affecting your appearance or impeding your weight loss journey. Some patients choose to combine their tummy tuck procedure with a breast lift to reposition and remove excess skin after weight loss as well.
Preparation
To prepare for a tummy tuck, your surgeon may recommend that you:
- Stop using blood thinning medications
- Refrain from smoking for a period of time, if applicable
- Fill prescriptions ahead of time
- Arrange for transportation home after your procedure
- Schedule adequate time off work
- Prepare your living space for a comfortable recovery
Your surgeon will provide additional instructions for your procedure before your appointment.
Procedure
During your procedure, our team will cleanse the treatment area and the anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia. Dr. Brostrom or Dr. Homas will make a discreet incision along the bikini line to facilitate the removal of excess tissue. If you have significant upper abdominal skin, excess skin which extends toward the back of your waist or around your back, the incision will be as long as necessary to address these areas. For those patients with circumferential excess skin, a tummy tuck 360 or lower body lift is the procedure of choice. If necessary, your surgeon can reduce pockets of stubborn fat with liposuction before removing excess skin. Most patients with prior weight fluctuations or pregnancies have separation of their abdominal muscles –a condition called diastasis recti–your surgeon will tighten them like an internal corset during an extended tummy tuck or tummy tuck 360 (lower body lift).
Recovery
During recovery after a tummy tuck, it is normal to experience some swelling and redness. Your surgeon will let you know what pain medication you can take during this time to help maximize your comfort.
You will most likely need to wear a special surgical compression garment for 4-6 weeks after your tummy tuck to help reduce swelling in the abdominal area and improve blood circulation. You will also need to follow up with the office to allow us to monitor your progress. If you received surgical drains during your tummy tuck procedure, we will remove these during your follow-up appointment as well.
Most patients can return to non-physically demanding work after about 2 weeks and light exercise after about 4 weeks. Your surgeon will let you know when you can return to more strenuous exercise and high-impact activities. If you have any questions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Results
After a tummy tuck, you can enjoy a smoother, slimmer-looking midsection. Removing excess skin can not only improve your self-esteem but also your quality of life, especially if the redundant tissue had been obscuring your figure, causing chafing, and making it difficult to enjoy the results of your hard-earned weight loss. If you maintain a stable weight, take good care of your skin, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious meals to support your body, you can enjoy long-lasting results after your tummy tuck, as tissue removal is essentially permanent. It is important to keep in mind that the processes of aging can continue to impact the elasticity of the skin after a body contouring procedure.
The Cost of a Tummy Tuck in San Antonio
The cost of a tummy tuck will depend on the amount of excess skin you wish to remove. We can provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation. We are happy to offer financing to patients who are considering treatments at New Image Plastic Surgery.
Contact our office in San Antonio or call (210) 640-6310 to learn more about how we can help you reach your goals!
FAQ
Can I have a tummy tuck if I plan on losing more weight?
We recommend waiting to undergo a tummy tuck until you are within 20 lbs of your weight loss goals because weight fluctuations can affect your results. We can discuss any questions you have during your procedure.
How long do the results of a tummy tuck usually last?
If you maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy the results of a tummy tuck for the rest of your life. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will be important for maintaining your results.
Can a tummy tuck address stretch marks?
Yes, but whether or not we can remove them entirely will depend on their location. Lower abdominal stretch marks will be removed. Upper abdominal stretch marks will be pulled down improving the appearance of the abdomen but likely not removed entirely depending on the amount of extra skin you have and the position of your belly button. References
FAQ
- Saariniemi KMM, Salmi AM, Peltoniemi HH, Helle MH, Charpentier P, Kuokkanen HOM. Abdominoplasty Improves Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Eating Disorder Symptoms: A Prospective Study. Plastic Surgery International. 2014;2014:197232. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/197232
- Orr Shauly, Goel P, Gould DJ. Painless, Drainless Lipoabdominoplasty: A Retrospective Study of Pain Following Lipoabdominoplasty Utilizing Liposomal Bupivacaine and a Modified Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol. Aesthetic surgery journal. 2022;4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojac049