Tummy Tuck

Will working out get rid of loose skin on stomach after baby? Sometimes no. Luckily if you feel the need to get rid of that extra skin, there is a procedure for that. Tummy tuck surgery is actually “three surgeries in one” using special surgical techniques to excise or remove excess skin, liposuction and excision to get rid of flabby fat, and “muscle plication” to tighten and tone the underlying muscles in the belly area, creating firmer contours and eliminating stretch marks so you feel more confident about the way you look. Here’s what you should know about having a tummy tuck in San Antonio.

Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck surgery?

A tummy tuck for men and women can be a good choice for those who are in good general health and have excess skin or flabby muscles in the belly area, especially those who have lost a considerable amount of weight or who have had multiple pregnancies. Ideally, optimal candidates will have a stable weight and will be relatively slim or in good shape overall, and women will be finished having children. If you plan on having children in the future, the muscles that are repaired during tummy tuck surgery may separate again, so it’s generally better to wait to have your surgery until after you’re done having kids.

When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, a tummy tuck can significantly improve your self-confidence, especially when wearing clothing that emphasizes your torso, belly and waist. In some cases, you may want to add additional procedures like liposuction, a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation, or body contouring to further enhance your results. Dr. Baumholtz can discuss these options with you during your consultation.

What’s the difference between liposuction and tummy tuck?

The primary difference between having a tummy tuck procedure and having only liposuction is that liposuction is focused solely on getting rid of excess fat in the belly area, and it does nothing to address loose skin or the weak muscles that cause the belly to become flabby and saggy over time, nor does it eliminate stretch marks. In many patients, having liposuction alone can actually make a flabby belly worse by removing some of the volume below the skin, making skin even looser.  Tummy tuck surgery firms up weak muscles and gets rid of excess skin and stretch marks so you look and feel firmer and trimmer. Often, tummy tuck procedures incorporate liposuction to remove a limited amount of fat, usually around the lower belly area. It’s important to understand that tummy tuck surgery is not weight loss surgery – it’s one of several surgeries (known collectively as body contouring procedures) designed to improve the shape and contours of the body.

What should I do to prepare for a tummy tuck?

Prior to your surgery, Dr. Baumholtz will perform a physical exam to evaluate your abdomen and to discuss your concerns and your expectations for the surgery. If you’re overweight, Dr. Baumholtz may recommend diet and exercise first to get rid of excess fatty tissue or he may advise liposuction in combination with tummy tuck in order for you to achieve optimal results.

When surgery is recommended, you may need to stop taking certain supplements like fish oil or medications like aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a week or two before your procedure. If you are a smoker, you’ll need to stop smoking for about six weeks before surgery and six weeks after your procedure to promote optimal healing. During your tummy tuck consultation appointment, be ready to provide a complete medical history and tell Dr. Baumholtz about any medications or supplements you take.

What is a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery in San Antonio typically is performed at a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia. When you arrive at the facility, your vital signs will be taken and you’ll meet with Dr. Baumholtz to review the surgical procedure once more and to discuss what you should expect immediately following your surgery and during recovery. Then, he’ll mark your belly with a surgical marker while you’re standing up to denote the incision sites and the areas to be treated with liposuction.  You will then receive medications through an IV to help you relax and stay comfortable.

Once you’re in the operating room, the incisions are made low across your belly – much lower than most C-sections. This location will make it easier to hide any resulting scar beneath your underwear or bathing suit. Depending on your anatomy and the goals of your procedure, a second incision may be made around the navel.

Next, he’ll repair the underlying muscles, suturing areas that have become separated and lax. Finally, excess skin will be trimmed away and the remaining skin will be repositioned over the abdomen. Depending on the amount of skin that’s removed, Dr. Baumholtz also may need to create a new “opening” for your navel. Then the incisions will be closed with sutures and internal staples. Once the surgery is complete – two or more drains (clear plastic tubes) will be inserted to help decrease fluid buildup that can cause increased pressure against the incision.

Most patients can return home the same day as their surgery, but in some cases, an overnight stay may be recommended. No matter when you’re discharged, you will need to have someone drive you home. If you have same-day surgery, you’ll also need to have someone stay with you for the first night following your surgery.