Has anyone had a Tummy Tuck?

[jk1101]

I am so ready to have one. I've lost a good bit of weight in my life - I'm down to a size 8 - but for the life of me cannot lose the last 10 pounds, and I have a big flabby thing of loose skin at my belly, which looks like I used to be pregnant, which I wasn't! I just want to have a flat stomach!

 

I've been to diet doctors, nutritionists, personal trainers....I eat very well, I exercise - I'm on a medication that makes weight loss a little more difficult to add to my struggle....very frustrating.

 

Just wondering if any of the BDW ladies had experience with this to share on the procedure, recovery, scars, etc.

[jerzshortstuff]

Congrats on your weight loss! I am sure having the extra skin can be quite annoying. I am all for tummy tucks for people who have lost so much weight that need the skin removed, even though I have never had one done myself. My only thing would be if you planned on having children. I think personally I would wait until after I had all of my children before I had a tummy tuck because most likely you will have the same problem after the babies. Good luck on your decision either way!

[jennster_04]

my sister had one , her stomach is FLAT! she lost alot of weight after the tummy tuck but gained about 40 pounds back a yr later and her stomach is still FLAT , she will never have a mufin top.

 

The pain she said was the worste thing ever! she couldnt walk or move, i had to look after her kids for 2 weeks at her house and bring her food and stuf in bed.At first the stitched , staples what ever it was looks soo bad, i couldnt belive it. but now a yr later not one scar! they cut you at ur pubic line in a V shape so if you wear a bikni while your scar isnt healed you wont be able to see it. Her doctor said when you have kids your stomach muscle seperates and you can never have a flat stomach unless you get a tummy tuck, they stitch the muslce back togther. She loves her new stomach. im younger then her and have never had kids and wayyy smaller then her and her stomach is still flatter then mine hahah

 

do it its worth it, but make sure you done having children!

[creoletexan]

I haven't had one, but I plan to get one, I also lost quite a bit of weight b/c I had always been overweight, and when I was pregnant I got up to 260lbs+. I've already had a consultation with a plastic surgeon, b/c I also want an arm lift, thigh lift, and breast augmentation and lift, so that I could find out what I could do now, and what I should wait for b/c we want at least one more kid. So my plan is the boobies and arm lift first, and after I have the next kid, tummy tuck then thigh lift, since he prefers to do the tummy tuck first before the thigh lift, it will end up being 3 surgeries in all.

[jk1101]

Thanks for the feedback ladies! I'm not having kids, so I'm not concerned with that part...I'm more worried about the scar and how much time out of work. I have to call the doctor back to make my consultation appointment today - I spoke to one last year before my wedding, but I didn't like him and didn't have the $$ - this doctor has financing, which will make it easier.

[greysgirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseykitten Thanks for the feedback ladies! I'm not having kids, so I'm not concerned with that part...I'm more worried about the scar and how much time out of work. I have to call the doctor back to make my consultation appointment today - I spoke to one last year before my wedding, but I didn't like him and didn't have the $$ - this doctor has financing, which will make it easier.

Congrats on losing the weight! My sister-in-law had an abdominoplasty after her babies and is quite pleased. She too has regained some weight but still has a flat abdomen.

You may not even qualify for an abdominoplasty though and may just "need" abdominal liposuction....which is whole lot cheaper and a much quicker recovery. I do anesthesia for these procedures a few times a month and know that most patients who've get abdominoplasty have lax abdominal muscles. If you have a reasonably tight base layer of abdominals and the covering around the muscle (called fascia) then liposuction may be helpful. I have never seen it completed, but I have heard some good talk amongst the plastic surgeons about the laser lipo because it apparently shrinks the skin also. It still is a surgical procedure, just less invasive.

Here's a link to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and their info on abdominoplasty. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Cosmetic Procedure Information They have good info on before and after pics, FAQs, etc. I would be certain you pick a plastic surgeon who is BOARD CERTIFIED in plastic surgery. I'm not sure how NJ is, but in my area of the country, any doctor who gets "special training" can do plastic procedures!! I have been in the operating room with some of their patients trying to fix their bad results. Not good. Another word to the wise: shop around! Ask to see his before and after pics. Remember you are the customer and have options:) Just because he's a doctor doesn't mean he's a good one unfortunately.

Good luck whatever you chose and feel free to PM me if you have any ?s

[jk1101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greysgirl Congrats on losing the weight! My sister-in-law had an abdominoplasty after her babies and is quite pleased. She too has regained some weight but still has a flat abdomen. You may not even qualify for an abdominoplasty though and may just "need" abdominal liposuction....which is whole lot cheaper and a much quicker recovery. I do anesthesia for these procedures a few times a month and know that most patients who've get abdominoplasty have lax abdominal muscles. If you have a reasonably tight base layer of abdominals and the covering around the muscle (called fascia) then liposuction may be helpful. I have never seen it completed, but I have heard some good talk amongst the plastic surgeons about the laser lipo because it apparently shrinks the skin also. It still is a surgical procedure, just less invasive. Here's a link to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and their info on abdominoplasty. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Cosmetic Procedure Information They have good info on before and after pics, FAQs, etc. I would be certain you pick a plastic surgeon who is BOARD CERTIFIED in plastic surgery. I'm not sure how NJ is, but in my area of the country, any doctor who gets "special training" can do plastic procedures!! I have been in the operating room with some of their patients trying to fix their bad results. Not good. Another word to the wise: shop around! Ask to see his before and after pics. Remember you are the customer and have options:) Just because he's a doctor doesn't mean he's a good one unfortunately. Good luck whatever you chose and feel free to PM me if you have any ?s

Thank you for that insight - I saw a plastic surgeon last year who told me I'd be better off with the tuck because i have so much loose skin - i lost 75 lbs in total, so my belly got really stretched. i didn't like the surgeon's personality at all, and that's important to me.

Defnitely agree with you about the Certified Plastic Surgeons - there are a lot of Dermatologists doing SmartLipo around here - I have a consultation with a Dr who is ASPS and ASAPS (Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
We'll see what he says on tuesday when i go, but i'm pretty sure I need the Abdominoplasty, and then lipo on the hips and thighs.