After Weight Loss Tummy Tuck
Offered at our convenient location in San Antonio, TX
An after weight loss tummy tuck is an abdominoplasty technique that offers comprehensive improvements to the abdomen. Unlike a traditional tummy tuck, an after weight loss tummy tuck uses special techniques to remove a substantial amount of excess skin. (1) It is a treatment perfect for patients finding themselves at a crossroads after losing significant weight. They may feel a sense of accomplishment for faithfully following a healthy lifestyle and losing weight, but are frustrated that excess skin remains.
To remedy this problem, surgeons perform an after weight loss tummy tuck. This kind of tummy tuck may require additional incisions, (2) but your surgeon will make sure that they are as discreetly placed as possible.
Additional incisions will allow access to underlying abdominal muscles and for larger amounts of skin to be removed. Afterward, patients can enjoy a slimmer, tighter silhouette for their midsection.
Dr. Wendie Grunberg of Alluring Aesthetics is an experienced surgeon ready to create rewarding, profound results for patients in San Antonio and beyond. Contact us online or phone at (210) 714-5390 to schedule a consultation.
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Before and After Photos
About After Weight Loss Tummy Tucks
There are multiple ways Dr. Grunberg can approach an after weight loss tummy tuck, depending on the situation. One type of tummy tuck that is often used for more excessive skin removal is the fleur de lis tummy tuck. Fleur de lis means “lily flower” in French, and the procedure gets its name because the inverted T incision resembles a lily.
This procedure optimizes the techniques of a traditional tummy tuck by making two incisions to remove a larger amount of redundant skin in the middle of the abdomen. (1) A horizontal line runs hip to hip, along the bikini line. (2) The other extends vertically, and intersects with the middle of the first incision, running toward the center of the chest. This approach offers substantial improvements to the waistline, flanks, and abdomen.
Comparing a Fleur de Lis Tuck with a Regular Tummy Tuck
Both procedures provide positive results, but utilize different techniques. Below are some of the ways they differ.
- Fleur de Lis: This technique performed on patients requiring removal of substantial amounts of lax, excess skins. Two incisions are made in the abdomen to allow skin to be removed, and the abdomen can be tightened horizontally and vertically. A fleur de lis takes longer to perform, but provides dramatic definition to the abdomen, flanks, and overall waistline.
- Traditional Tummy Tuck: This common approach to moderate cases of excess skin and displaced muscles makes only one horizontal incision that extends from hip to hip. Excess skin from above the incision is removed, and the remaining skin is pulled taut. Incisions made can be easily hidden underneath clothing and undergarments.
Benefits
Patients who recently experienced dramatic weight loss or have experienced multiple pregnancies will find rewarding results with an after weight loss tummy tuck procedure. When your full results come to light, you will experience:
- A reduction of excess skin and fat that results in a flatter abdomen and tighter skin
- A correction of both vertical and horizontal abdominal planes
- A slimmer waistline and better hip-to-waist ratio
- Similar recovery time to a regular tummy tuck procedure
- A huge uptick in confidence and wardrobe options
Candidates
Patients wanting to reveal abdominal contours without lax, excess skin in the abdomen and torso area may be eligible for the procedure. After weight loss tummy tucks are frequently performed on patients who have undergone massive weight loss, and are at a stable weight. Those interested should consider the following criteria before coming in for surgery. They include:
- Having a considerable amount of excess skin in the abdominal area
- Willing to undergo a more involved surgery and scarring
- Able to quit smoking in the weeks leading up to their procedure and for the duration of their recovery
- Understanding this treatment is not a weight loss program
- Being able to live a healthy, active life once recovery is complete
- Women who are not planning future pregnancies
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Grunberg at our beautiful office in San Antonio to see if you will benefit from an after weight loss tummy tuck or another body contouring treatment.
Get in touch with us online or reach us directly at (210) 714-5390.
To learn more about the other services offered at Alluring Aesthetics, follow our blog!
Personal Consultation with Dr. Grunberg
Dr. Wendie Grunberg is a gifted and compassionate surgeon serving the residents of South-Central Texas with a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive options inside an ultra-modern facility.
At her practice, she prioritizes outstanding patient safety, care, and confidentiality. These essential pillars have helped many clients push through the barriers keeping them from an ideal physique and achieve an improved aesthetic.
A consultation with Dr. Grunberg will allow the both of you to discuss your needs in an informative yet friendly manner. First, she will verify your candidacy by asking a series of questions regarding your health, past surgeries, and ideal aesthetic. Then, she will examine the skin in your abdomen, and once complete, she will propose an appropriate treatment plan. If this treatment is deemed suitable for you, she will outline the surgical procedure in better detail. Before you go, we’ll provide you with a list of pre-surgery instructions and schedule your surgery date.
Come in for an initial consultation with Dr. Grunberg at our state-of-the-art office in San Antonio. Call us at (210) 714-5390.
Preparation
We recommend completing these steps before your after weight loss tummy tuck:
- Handle arrangements to take time off from work and have someone drive you home
- Temporarily stop smoking–if applicable–to facilitate proper blood flow needed for healing
- Pick up prescribed pain medication and antibiotics from the pharmacy
- Discontinue medications such as blood thinners and anti-inflammatories
- Designate a comfortable area to recover at home and ensure supplies are within easy reach
Procedure
Patients will be administered general anesthesia for maximum comfort. After this initial step, Dr. Grunberg will make incisions in the abdomen that target the excess tissue. [2]
Dr. Grunberg will use excisional methods to create a smoothed, lifted appearance for the lower abdomen. If the abdominal muscles had separated during the previous weight gain, Dr. Grunberg can perform muscle repair to resolve this condition also known as diastasis recti.
Recovery
Symptoms of bruising, lethargy, discoloration, swelling, and discomfort are normal following surgery. Taking medication as directed by Dr. Grunberg and following the post-op instructions will ensure that excessive discomfort is avoided, and healing progresses nicely. The surgical drains and sutures will be removed during your follow-up appointments and Dr. Grunberg will monitor your progress.
Most symptoms will be greatly improved in the coming weeks, and you will be able to return to work in 2-3 weeks after your surgery. Continue to wear the compression garment as directed during your recovery. More involved activities such as exercise are discouraged until 6 weeks after your procedure.
Results
After surgery, you may notice more slender contours, but your results will be hidden by swelling and the compression garment during the initial recovery phase. Once your symptoms have fully subsided in 4 months, you’ll see a more taut, leaner midsection. You’ll enjoy a flatter stomach and abdomen, visible abdominal definition, and an overall enhanced appearance. Doing your part in keeping a healthy lifestyle will secure your results for years to come.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Alluring Aesthetics offers various surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic options to enhance your aesthetic and your confidence. When we meet for your consultation, Dr. Grunberg may recommend a combination of procedures for optimal results.
Liposuction
Patients wishing to slim down the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms can receive a liposuction treatment to highlight these features. Dr. Grunberg will make a small incision in the targeted areas so a cannula can remove deposits of fat lodged between the muscle and skin.
Cost of After Weight Loss Tummy Tuck in San Antonio
Final costs for your treatment will depend on your specific case. We’ll discuss these details more at your consultation. You can also contact us to better understand the costs involved.
FAQ
Is an after weight loss tuck right for me?
This surgery helps countless men and women with redundant abdominal skin achieve a slimmer, more taut body profile. Patients with considerable excess skin or fat in the abdominal area will benefit from this transformational procedure. The only way to find out if this treatment is suitable for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Grunberg.
Is a fleur de lis tummy tuck different from a traditional tummy tuck?
Yes, there is a difference between the two. A traditional tuck removes moderate cases of excess skin and uses only one horizontal incision running hip to hip. By comparison, a fleur de lis tuck removes extensive skin from the area using two incisions in the abdomen for better results.
References
- Dinsmore, R. C., Pham, P. M., Lopez, J., & Palubicki, J. H. (2014). Safely Performing the Inferior-Medial Vector Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 134(4S-1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000455474.62431.e5
- Bunting, H., Lu, K. B., Shang, Z., & Kenkel, J. (2020). Vertical Abdominoplasty Technique and the Impact of Preoperative Comorbidities on Outcomes. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojaa043