Tummy Tuck Surgery San Antonio
Tummy tuck surgery can be performed as an inpatient or outpatient procedure at one of our affiliated hospitals in San Antonio. General anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with a sedative are used during this procedure. Dr. Constance Barone also can perform an "Awake" tummy tuck, during which patients are put to sleep using IV sedation.
Planning
Dr. Constance Barone will evaluate your health and your abdominal area during your virtual consultation. She encourages frank and honest discussion about your expectations and will be equally direct with you in discussing risks and limitations of the procedure, as well as possible alternatives such as partial abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck), or full abdominoplasty combined with liposuction to remove fat from the hips, providing an even more recontoured midsection. All cost and financing information will also be discussed in detail during the initial consultation.
Preparation
Tummy tuck surgery patients at our San Antonio plastic surgery center will receive detailed instructions to prepare for surgery. Guidelines on smoking, diet, and the use of certain medications or vitamin supplements will be provided. Patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and to help care for them in the first few days of recovery.
The Tummy Tuck Surgery
During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Constance Barone will make an incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic area, and then make another incision to free the navel from surrounding tissue. The skin will be separated from the abdominal wall and lifted. Next, the abdominal muscles are tightened and pulled close together to create a firmer abdominal wall and narrow the waistline. Extra skin is removed from the skin flap, which is then stretched and pulled taut. The navel is recreated and stitched into place, followed by the suturing of the skin flap.
A partial abdominoplasty is a bit less invasive, requiring a shorter incision, and may not necessitate repositioning of the navel. This may, however, cause the navel to be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened.
A full abdominoplasty can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete, while a partial abdominoplasty typically takes about one to two hours.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Patients can expect the abdomen to be swollen for the first few days after abdominoplasty. Pain and discomfort resulting from the procedure can be alleviated with medication. Dr. Barone recommends that patients take short walks soon after surgery in order to prevent blood clots; however, strenuous exercise and strain to the midsection should be avoided for at least six weeks after a tummy tuck.
Depending on the individual patient, it could take anywhere from two to four weeks before he or she begins to feel completely normal after abdominoplasty. A mild exercise program during recovery can reduce swelling and speed up healing. Although scars may appear to worsen during the first few months after surgery, this is normal. It could take up to a year before scarring flattens out and fades. Scars from abdominoplasty will never completely disappear; however, they are easily hidden under clothing and bathing suits.
For more information on the tummy tuck procedure and other life-changing cosmetic procedures, contact Dr. Barone today.
