Tummy Tuck Talk: A Q&A with Dr. Claytor
Thinking about a tummy tuck? Dr. Claytor, your trusted guide in aesthetic enhancements, is here to spill the tea on what you need to know! In this Q&A, we’ll dig into the details of the tummy tuck procedure. Read on for a wealth of information that can guide you toward achieving the silhouette you desire…Your path to confidence awaits!
What’s one thing you wish people knew before receiving a tummy tuck?
When we talk with patients about their tummy tuck experience, the one thing we hear over and over is “I wish I had done this sooner!” The confidence patients gain is evident; they love the way their clothes fit, how they see themselves reflected in the mirror – and nearly every patient comments on how they haven’t been able to wear a bikini in, well, forever, but they can’t wait to go shopping to choose one! A tummy tuck is an investment in oneself and can result in decades of self-confidence.
How long does it last?
Great question. A tummy tuck will give you the sculpted, tight – or snatched, we say today – abdomen that so often eludes diet and exercise. The tummy tuck will tighten the rectus diastasis that plagues so many, particularly after childbirth and weight fluctuations. This muscle repair is permanent. That bulge? Gone. Excess skin? Gone. Sculpted waist and flanks? Oh, yes. With that said, however, we continue to age. Skin will lose elasticity, but with a healthy diet and continued fitness, your results will last.
Are there different types?
Yes. Each body habitus and each patient’s desires and frustrations are unique. We listen to our patients goals and together, we come up with a plan to address their frustrations and achieve their particular goals.
- Standard Tummy Tuck: Addresses the rectus diastasis, tightening the separated muscles as well as tightening all the abdominal skin and muscles. Dr. Claytor will liposuction excess adipose tissue in the abdomen and mons to achieve a sculpted result.
- Modified Tummy Tuck: Tightens only the abdominal muscles or only the abdominal skin.
- Extended Tummy Tuck: Tightens the abdomen as well as the flanks.
- Mini Tummy Tuck: Tightens the lower abdominal wall skin only (below the belly button). Not all patients are candidates for this procedure.
What procedures can be combined with a tummy tuck?
Many female patients combine the tummy tuck with what we like to call “breast rejuvenation.” Breasts can lose volume, become asymmetric, or become droopy. These issues can be addressed with a mastopexy to lift the breast tissue back to its more natural position and/or breast augmentation to replace lost volume. Some patients are choosing fat grafting to replace lost volume. This entails liposuction of adipose tissue from one area and grafting the fat to the breast. For men, gynecomastia is sometimes added in order to reduce breast tissue. This can be done either with liposuction or as a surgical reduction.
How long can recovery take?
I have a cheeky way of telling my patients that in a month they can go skydiving. That’s my way of saying they can do anything they want – climb a mountain, jump out of an airplane, go back to full workouts at the gym – or book that long awaited trip to the tropics so they can show off that new bikini.
The first few days are the hardest, of course. Because I never use drains when I perform tummy tucks, I have patients moving about more quickly. I want patients up and moving on day one, showering the day after surgery. By week two, they will be at half speed, and by week four? Well, anything goes!
Reasons you should not get a tummy tuck? What is the best non-surgical option?
You should be at an ideal weight you can easily maintain before you choose to undergo tummy tuck surgery. And you should be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to retain your results. For some, liposuction can be an option, but as far as non-surgical, there is not an option that will enable you to achieve a tighter, sculpted abdomen.
Ready to bring your unique aesthetic goals to life? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Claytor and explore the possibilities together. Your path to confidence is just a consultation away!
The journey to a more confident you begins with informed decision making. Dive deeper into valuable insights by exploring our linked tummy tuck blogs below:
- 4 Reasons to Choose a Drainless Tummy Tuck
- Drainless Tummy Tuck: 8 Tips for Getting (and Keeping) the Best Possible Results
- Tummy Tuck: A Procedure More Powerful Than It’s Name Implies
