Tummy Tuck In Grass Valley, CA
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Prior pregnancies, weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, and the natural aging process can all adversely affect the midsection, resulting in stretched skin, loose abdominal muscles, and stubborn pockets of fat. Most patients who consider abdominoplasty have seen lackluster results from diet and exercise alone, as lifestyle changes simply cannot help loose skin and a distended abdominal wall. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and stubborn fat pockets and surgically tightens the abdominal wall to provide a smoother, tighter contour.
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While tummy tuck surgery can have dramatic results, it is a significant surgery and recovery process. Below, we will discuss what you need to know about the nature of this procedure, who may be a candidate, and what you can expect from the results.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a tummy tuck, is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tighten the abdominal wall muscles. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind that it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
Learn More About Dr. LattyakWhat Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck can have transformational results as it can address concerns unlike any other cosmetic procedure. Abdominoplasty eliminates sagging and loose skin around the lower to mid abdomen, removes excess pockets of fat, and surgically tightens loose or separated abdominal muscles. For patients with diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles), a tummy tuck can be the difference between a permanent “pouch” and a slim midsection.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise.
Tummy tuck candidates:
- Should be in good health at a stable weight
- Want to eliminate skin and fat that makes a slim midsection impossible
- Have diastasis recti
- Have realistic expectations for results
- Are committed to proper diet and exercise to maintain results
The surgery is beneficial to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. It can also improve the loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Abdominoplasty is not designed to be a weight loss solution, and subsequent weight loss after surgery may result in loose skin.
Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, Dr. Lattyak may not recommend abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause others to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Lattyak.
What Are My Tummy Tuck Options?
Each patient will have different goals and levels of necessary revision. Dr. Lattyak offers many tummy tuck options to best address his patients’ needs.
Standard Tummy Tuck
A standard or traditional tummy tuck features an incision across the lower abdomen and around the navel. This procedure can address sagging skin and excess pockets of fat throughout the middle to lower abdomen and is a comprehensive choice for patients with moderate concerns.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini tummy tuck is less invasive than other options. It focuses on loose skin and localized pockets of fat below the navel. The incision is shorter, running across the lower abdomen only. The mini tummy tuck is popular with patients with a localized belly “pouch” with little issues elsewhere.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck offers even more revision as the incision runs across the lower abdomen and around the hips. An extended tummy tuck allows Dr. Lattyak to address the same concerns as with a standard tummy tuck, but he can also remove excess skin throughout the flanks.
Belt Lipectomy
The belt lipectomy offers the most possible revision, but it is the most invasive as the incision runs across the lower abdomen, around the hips, and all the way around the back. A belt lipectomy allows Dr. Lattyak to trim excess skin off the abdomen, flanks, lateral thighs, back, and buttocks. The belt lipectomy is typically used in patients with extreme trunk skin excess following massive weight loss.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
The reverse tummy tuck may be an option when most of the skin excess is confined to the upper abdomen and the patient has tight breast cleavage. Unlike the other types of tummy tucks, the reverse tummy tuck incision is placed above the abdomen, hidden in the crease underneath the breasts.
Combining Your Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures
Abdominoplasty is a relatively involved procedure, so Dr. Lattyak only combines procedures with it when he is confident it is safe. Many patients combine procedures with their tummy tuck to reduce recovery time and create a harmonious body contouring result. If you think you want to combine procedures, be sure to discuss your options with Dr. Lattyak during your consultation.
Some popular procedures include:
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Liposuction
Liposuction is a great way to incorporate modest slimming effects throughout the body and is a common addition to a tummy tuck. Dr. Lattyak can utilize liposuction to slim and contour many areas of the body, including the hips, thighs, and flanks.
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Breast Augmentation
If you are interested in a tummy tuck because you have excess skin due to weight loss, you probably have a loss of volume in other areas of the body. Combining your tummy tuck with a breast augmentation is a great way to restore feminine curves to your figure and slim the midsection in one operation.
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Breast Lift
A breast lift is ideal for patients who are experiencing breast ptosis (sagging) due to prior pregnancies and breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. Similar to a tummy tuck, a breast lift is a skin-tightening procedure. Dr. Lattyak will remove excess skin and tissue to lift and reshape the breasts for a youthful result.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
Your Consultation
In your initial consultation, Dr. Lattyak will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin quality. Be sure to tell Dr. Lattyak if you smoke and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with Dr. Lattyak. He will be equally honest with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also known as a mini-tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from a standard or extended abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips for a better body contour. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result.
Whatever the situation, Dr. Lattyak will work with you to recommend the right procedure for you that will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
In most cases, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of abdominoplasty, but you should check your policy to be sure.
In some cases, insurers may cover an abdominal skin removal procedure called a panniculectomy in patients with severe chronic infections. However, a panniculectomy differs from a tummy tuck and generally results in poorer cosmesis. Dr. Lattyak can explain the differences between these procedures during your consultation.
Preparing for Tummy Tuck Surgery
Dr. Lattyak will give you specific instructions on preparing for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding specific vitamins and medications.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection, your surgery will probably be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.
If you are interested in a Tummy Tuck and want to see if the procedure is right for you, call the Élan Clinic today at (530) 273-3400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lattyak.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your tummy tuck will require general anesthesia so that you are asleep throughout the entire procedure. Abdominoplasty is an extensive procedure and can take several hours or more to complete, especially if you have combined procedures.
Incision placement is pre-determined by the specific abdominoplasty technique you and Dr. Lattyak agreed upon. Dr. Lattyak will carefully separate the skin and fat to remove the excess and surgically tighten the abdominal muscles with permanent sutures. The skin is then draped to create a pleasing contour, and the excess is removed. Depending on the type of tummy tuck, Dr. Lattyak may also reposition the belly button with a small incision.
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What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?
Typically, tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure. For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen, and you’re likely to feel some pain and discomfort, which can be controlled by medication.
Dr. Lattyak will give you instructions for showering, changing your dressings, and managing your drains. Though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.
Surface stitches and drains are typically removed around one week post-op. You will need to wear the abdominal support garment for six weeks.
When Will I See My Tummy Tuck Results?
It may take you weeks or months to feel like your old self again. If you start out in top physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty will be much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.
Light exercise will help patients heal better. Still, make sure you don’t overdo it. You can start walking as much as you like the day after surgery. Walking a few times per day is best to reduce the chance of blood clots in the legs. Starting three to four weeks after surgery, you can begin slowly increasing your exercise over the next month to get back into your normal routine. Vigorous exercise should be avoided until at least six weeks after surgery.
Your scars may appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they’ll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
Whether partial or complete, abdominoplasty produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long-lasting if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
If you’re realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.
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How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Grass Valley, CA?
The cost of a tummy tuck in Grass Valley depends on the specific surgical plan Dr. Lattyak creates for you, the extent of necessary revision, and if you have combined any procedures.
Each abdominoplasty is wholly unique to the patient, so once Dr. Lattyak has a surgical plan in place that addresses your needs, he can provide you with an accurate cost estimate.
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