Tummy Tuck Surgery in San Antonio, TX
Shape and strengthen your core with a tummy tuck
Tummy Tuck Surgery in San Antonio, TX
Amelia San Antonio Specializes in Tummy Tucks.
A modern tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a highly effective surgical procedure designed to create a flatter, firmer, and more contoured core. This transformative surgery is an ideal solution for individuals in San Antonio who struggle with excess skin, stubborn fat, and weakened abdominal muscles, often a result of pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural aging process.
Unlike traditional methods that focused solely on skin removal, a modern tummy tuck at Amelia San Antonio emphasizes comprehensive body contouring and advanced surgical techniques that often eliminates the need for post-operative drains.
A modern tummy tuck in San Antonio involves not only removing loose, sagging skin and stretch marks, but also tightening the underlying abdominal muscles (a condition known as diastasis recti) that may have separated. This muscle repair creates an "internal corset," restoring core strength, improving posture, and providing a significantly more toned and defined appearance.
At Amelia San Antonio, Dr. Marcos Lopez elevates the tummy tuck experience by incorporating advanced techniques and patient-focused benefits often included in the price. Dr. Lopez uses Exparel, a long-lasting local anesthetic injected during surgery. Exparel provides sustained pain relief for several days post-procedure, significantly reducing discomfort during the crucial initial recovery period and minimizing the reliance on traditional narcotic pain medications. This allows for a smoother, more comfortable healing process, enabling our patients to get back on their feet sooner.
Waistline liposuction is often included in the cost of a modern tummy tuck at Amelia San Antonio. This strategic liposuction allows Dr. Lopez to meticulously sculpt the flanks and hips, refining the entire waistline and creating a balanced silhouette that complements the newly flattened abdomen. This combination approach ensures a more proportional and natural result, addressing concerns beyond just the front of the abdomen.
Choosing a tummy tuck in San Antonio at Amelia means benefiting from a tailored approach that prioritizes both exceptional aesthetic outcomes and patient well-being. Dr. Lopez and his team understand that this is a significant step. The team at Amelia San Antonio’s goal is to help you achieve a renewed sense of confidence and comfort in your body.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if you are concerned by one or more of the following:
- Excess skin and fat in the abdominal area that doesn't respond to diet and exercise.
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), often resulting from pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations.
- Sagging abdominal skin after pregnancy or major weight loss.
- You are at a relatively stable weight and in good overall health.
- You have realistic expectations about what a tummy tuck can achieve
What do tummy tuck scars look like?
Tummy Tuck Scars
Amelia specializes in 4 types of tummy tuck scars: standard (full), mini, extended, and fleur-di-lis. The type of tummy tuck scar that is right for you depends on the amount of skin removal needed to achieve your goals.
Do tummy tuck scars go away?
Abdominoplasty scars typically take around 12 months post-op to heal and when cared for properly can continue to fade for years to come. Consistent scar care and SPF are so important after your surgery, especially in the first year. Your surgeon and clinical team will be there to guide you on a protocol to help ensure your scars fade and heal their best.
Tummy Tuck Types
Full Tummy Tuck
The full tummy tuck addresses loose skin above and below the navel, reshapes the belly button, and repairs abdominal muscle separation.
- Targets loose skin on the upper and lower abdomen
- Often includes waistline liposuction for added shape
- Strengthens core with muscle repair
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck addresses skin laxity below the navel but does not address loose skin above the belly button.
- Targets loose skin below the navel, but does not address belly button shape
- Often includes waistline liposuction for added shape and contour
- Can include muscle repair to correct abdominal muscle separation
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is a lot like a full tummy tuck with a slightly longer incision for more skin removal.
- Addresses loose skin in both the upper and lower abdomen
- Has a longer incision typically extended beyond the hip bones
- Often includes muscle repair and waistline liposuction
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is most commonly used for significant skin removal in major weight loss patients.
- Addresses loose skin in the upper and lower abdomen, plus the sides of the body
- Trades a longer horizontal incision and additional vertical incision for the most skin removal
- Often includes muscle repair to improve core strength and waistline lipo for better shape
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
What is a diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti is the separation and stretching of the abdominal muscles that result in a loss of core strength and control. Pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain, and even aging cause the muscles to separate and stretch.
Once the muscles are separated, the only way to truly correct the separation is by surgically bringing the muscles together. Exercise and pelvic work can certainly help bring them closer together, but in many cases, cannot completely correct diastasis recti.
Muscle repair is often included with a tummy tuck and acts as an internal corset to strengthen the core, relieve lower back pain, and provide additional shape to the torso.
What is a drainless tummy tuck?
The surgical techniques used in a modern tummy tuck often eliminate the need for post-operative drains in most cases. In many cases, eliminating post-op drains allows for a shower just two days after surgery and reduces tension on the incision for better healing.
Keep in mind that factors like your anatomy and sometimes details of your procedure, like the amount of liposuction done, play a role in whether or not you’ll have a drain.
What is Exparel®?
Exparel® is a long-lasting injectable medication given during your procedure to help make the first few days post-op more comfortable. Exparel® is often included at no additional cost because we believe supporting you in a faster, more active recovery is the right thing to do.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
- Includes Waistline Liposuction: A tummy tuck at Amelia often includes waistline liposuction, allowing for better contouring and a more natural result that enhances your overall silhouette.
- Comprehensive Pricing: The cost of your tummy tuck includes all pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative appointments, anesthesia, surgeon fees, and operating room fees, ensuring no hidden costs during your journey.
- Addresses Excess Skin and Fat: Tummy tuck surgery effectively removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, helping to create a flatter and more toned appearance.
- Strengthens Abdominal Muscles: Amelia’s tummy tucks include muscle repair. This addition repairs and tightens weakened abdominal muscles, providing a firmer foundation for your core and improving posture.
- Boosts Confidence: Many patients experience increased self-esteem and a more positive body image after achieving a flatter stomach, allowing for greater confidence in their appearance.
- Enhances Proportion and Symmetry: A tummy tuck can create a more balanced figure by improving the contour of the abdomen and waist, enhancing overall body proportions.
- Individualized Support: Each patient is assigned a dedicated Patient Care Coordinator who will guide you through every step of the process, providing personalized care and support.
- Experienced Surgical Team: Amelia’s skilled plastic surgeons specialize in body contouring procedures and will work closely with you to develop a personalized surgical plan tailored to your needs.
Tummy Tuck Results and Recovery Timeline
- 1-2 Weeks
Expect swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. You’ll likely be asked to wear compression garments to reduce swelling for about 6 weeks. - 6 Weeks
Many patients are cleared to stop wearing compression garments and resume normal exercise. - 6 Months
Much, but not all of the swelling has resolved for most, and often when your “after photos” are taken. - 12 Months
Though you'll see improvements along the way, most patients achieve their long-term results around 12 months post-op.
Before Treatment
After Treatment
Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio, Texas
Our Pricing Includes:
- All pre-op, surgical, and post-op appointments
- Anesthesia, surgeon, and operating room fees
- Individualized pre- and post-op support from our clinical team
- A dedicated Patient Care Coordinator to guide you throughout your entire journey
