What is Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)?

Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty San Antonio,TX Jessica Belz MD

A variety of factors can affect your abdominal contour, including weight changes, childbirth, prior surgeries and genetics.  A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to restore your abdominal contour and improve appearance by removing excess skin and fat and tighten your underlying abdominal muscles. This allows for a smoother and firmer abdominal profile.  A mini-abdominoplasty is a technique reserved for individuals with less excess tissue isolated to the lower abdomen and does not require re-positioning of the umbilicus; an extended abdominoplasty may be beneficial depending on your body habitus.

Dr. Jessica Belz if proud to offer patients in San Antonio, TX the latest and most effective tummy tuck procedures. Call today to schedule a consultation or to learn more.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tucks primarily target loose sagging abdominal skin and separated muscles in the center of the abdomen. These are the aftermath of the localized weight gained during pregnancy or from the gain and then loss of a substantial amount of weight. If you primarily have pockets of fat that have accumulated and are very resistant to changes in diet and exercise, a tummy tuck is probably not your procedure — this is more a case for liposuction.

But if you have loose, inelastic skin, with some pockets of fat, a tummy tuck may be the procedure for you. Pregnancy is especially hard on the abdominal muscles because the way it focuses the weight gain in such a discrete area. This can permanently stretch and separate the abdominal muscles.

It is advisable to wait until you are finished having children, before you have a tummy tuck. The effects of pregnancy will negate the results of your tummy tuck. Also, people who plan on losing additional weight should delay their tummy tuck because the additional weight loss will create more loose skin. It’s important to remember that an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure.

How Is A Tummy Tuck Procedure Performed?

To perform the procedure, an incision is made on the lower abdomen for better concealment.  The upper abdominal skin is lifted and the abdominal muscles are tightened. Excess fat is removed either by direct excision or liposuction.  The upper abdominal skin is pulled down and excess tissue is excised to tighten the abdomen and restore the contour. The umbilicus is re-positioned when necessary. Drains are placed at the time of surgery.  The incision is closed carefully and dressings are applied. An abdominal compression garment will be placed for support; it also helps with post-operative swelling.

Does an Abdominoplasty Procedure Require Anesthesia?

Dr. Belz offers abdominoplasty under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Tummy Tuck San Antonio

What Our Patients Have to Say

"I had an abdominoplasty in June of 2019 and Dr. Belz was AMAZING!!! From the moment I made my first consultation office staff and Dr. Belz were nothing short of perfection. Always answered any questions or doubts without making me feel rushed.

I was extremely nervous the day of my procedure but Dr. Belz made me feel at ease and comfortable. My mother who only speaks Spanish, fell in love with Dr. Belz by just speaking with her for just a few short minutes before surgery.

Dr. Belz is truly a perfectionist with her work. She took her time before the surgery to make sure I was ready to go. Post surgery pain was always kept to a minimum and appointments were great.

I am soooooo HAPPY with my results, I feel like the “old” me before babies. THANK YOU Dr. Belz for not only giving me a new tummy but giving me my CONFIDENCE back!!!!!!" – S. A.

How long will my results from a tummy tuck last?

These are permanent changes in the contour of your abdomen. The excess skin and fat removed by Dr. Belz in these procedures are gone for good. Also, if she has repositioned your separated abdominal muscles, that repair is permanent. If you maintain a healthy weight and make exercise a part of your life moving forward, you will enjoy your slimmer contoured abdomen the rest of your life. You will, of course, have some sagging that comes with aging, but it will be minimal if you keep your weight in line.

Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos

What is the recovery like abdominoplasty surgery?

During your individualized consultation, Dr. Belz will discuss your surgical options and the procedure, review the risks and benefits of surgery, and clarify the post-operative recovery course. Bruising and swelling are common after a tummy tuck. Patients will need to walk in a flexed position for approximately one week after surgery. Surgical drains are usually removed within five to ten days.  Most patients may return to work after two to three weeks. Patients should avoid strenuous activity for six weeks.

Will a tummy tuck remove my stretch marks?

Stretch marks occur due to permanent changes in the skin caused by rapid weight gain, such as during pregnancy. If your stretch marks are on areas of excess skin that Dr. Belz removes, those stretch marks will be removed. But stretch marks that occur elsewhere will not be affected or improved by this procedure.

Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?

Are you familiar with a mommy makeover? This is a combination of procedures that target the affects of pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. These procedures are combined into a single surgical session. Tummy tucks can be a part of a mommy makeover, as well as breast lifts (with or without augmentation), and liposuction. These procedures can easily be combined with your tummy tuck.

If considering other procedures, however, it is wise to remember that a tummy tuck involves a more difficult recovery due to the long incision required and the repositioning of separated muscles.

I’m considering having more children. Can I still have a tummy tuck?

Dr. Belz recommends that you wait to have a tummy tuck until you are done having children. Why? The localized gain and loss of weight will stretch the skin and create the same sagging that merited the surgery in the first place.

What are the risks of tummy tuck surgery?

A tummy tuck, like other major surgeries, has inherent risks. This includes, but is not limited to: reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, poor wound healing, fluid collection (seroma), infection, sensory changes, unsightly scarring, and the like.

The main risks involved with tummy tuck surgery are that the long incision will heal unevenly. That’s where the expertise of your surgeon comes into play. Dr. Belz is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience.

Schedule A Consultation

Dr. Belz proudly provides patients from San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas with tummy tuck surgery. Contact Dr. Belz at (210) 497-7100 or fill out a Contact Form here to schedule an appointment for a abdominoplasty consultation. Dr. Belz is ready to provide you with personalized care and a feminine perspective to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Book an Appointment

Please fill out the form below or give us a call to schedule your appointment.

What happens in a consultation?

01. Get to know Dr. Belz and her team.

02. Discuss your unique goals and concerns.

03. Receive a personalized procedure plan.

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Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

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207 W. Sunset Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209

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