Considering Tummy Tuck.... Need Advice

Go for it!!! I gained 90lbs with my first and also lost all the weight. I was really into pilates and could feel these really great muscles but couldn't see them..(you know all that saggy skin) I always knew I would need a tummy tuck but waited until after my second child was born and was positive there wouldn't be anymore children.. It has been about a year since I got it done and couldn't be happier!!!! I have a six pack that you can see!!!!!! You'll need help for the 1st couple of weeks...Good luck!

I had three inches taken off of my tummy a few months ago. My dr. during the consultation had me lay down on his table and do a crunch with my legs lifted. He rubbed my stomach to see how bad the muscle ripped in pregnancy, everyone's does, and he was suprised at how toned my abs were. You would never know it by looking at them. He said I had done enough ab work to heal my muscle anough so I would only need half of a tuck. Saved recovery time and cost. I know how you feel having to buy pants big enough to hide the flab. Since having the surgery I have been so happy. Make sure you get a really good Dr. go and see several for consults. I went to Nahai in Atlanta. He was awesome. Also make sure you are done with kids.

Good Luck and feel free to ask me any questions you have.

J.

I don't know much about the actual surgery but my sister-in-law had this done after she was done having children. Do you plan on having more children? I would wait until you feel you are done. She obviously had some pain afterwards (as with any surgery) but the one thing I would remind you of is that you can't lift children for several weeks after surgery. That was the hardest part for her (her youngest was around 20 months also). I'd say go for it if it would make you feel better. Good luck!

My daughter is 15 years old now and I had gained 90 pounds during my pregnancy. I work out every day and pay special attention to my abdominals. I do have saggy skin there, and I did look into a tummy tuck. It is a risky surgery (but so is a tonsillectomy--and I had that done when I was 6 years old), and the surgeon I actually trust to do it charges $7000 up front, because it is cosmetic and not medical. I was done having children after my first, so if I had the money, I would definitely have it done. I was also unable to breastfeed, and all of my friends' tummies went back to flat because they breastfed their babies. I was SO jealous! With diet and exercise, you CAN look good again, and a lot of the saggy skin will diminish, but you'll never get to wear a bikini again. :( Before you go for a consult, let me suggest core strengthening with Pilates AND yoga. The stronger your abs, the easier the surgery.

If you are seriously finished having kids, and you have the money, I say GO FOR IT!

I had 4 kids in 4 years and gained 55lbs with the first, and 45 with each of the others and had a very flabby stomach. It looked like I was still pregnant! I read up on it, and one thing that I found online was that massage might help. So, every day after my shower I massaged some body oil that had vitamin E into my flabby stomach.

I also started exercising, cardio 45min 3x a week, and strength training in a group class 2-3x a week. After 2-3 months I saw good improvment! It has been 5 months since I started massaging my stomach, I still do it, and it looks much better. Not all the way back to normal, but I am still 15lbs over what I was before kids. Someday when we have money I want to get a tummy-tuck, but this is what we can afford right now. Good luck!

I have the saggy skin too and it maketh me sad. But then, I just had my second son and he's only 2 months old. I'd recommend waiting until you are darn sure you're not having any more children, like you-and-your-husband-have-had-surgery sure. And you may have to accept that you'll never have your girlish figure again, even with a tummy tuck, because if you can't be happy with yourself as you are, then changing your outward appearance won't fix the problem. I'm not saying "don't do it," but just be sure you're doing it for the right reason and at the right time. :)

I gained 80 pounds with my twins and have lost half of it so far. I am also finished having children, although I still contemplate one more, my husband says 3 is plenty. lol
I plan on getting the tummy tuck after I get to my weight loss goal, because I also have to buy pants 2 sizes bigger to fit the loose skin in, the waist of my pants is loose, but the skin hangs below my waistline.
My advice is do a lot of research, meet with, interview, and find a good, board certified plastic surgeon, and don't try to find a Dr. who is "cheap". This is major surgery and you get what you pay for.

My husband is a plastic surgeon and I have seen great results on his before and after pictures of tummy tucks. After a baby stretches that skin and muscle out there really isn't much you can do to get it back to the way it was before without sugery. I you are wanting a tummy tuck just do it when you are sure you are done having babies because if you get a tummy tuck then get pregnant again its just going to rip out all the work you just had done so it will be a waste of money. You can look at his website it has a good description of the surgery and how much recovery time etc. and there are some before and after pictures of patients he has done surgery on - jasonjackmd.com - he is in Birmingham, Al which I know doesn't help you but there is good info and pictures on his website that can help you see what its all about. Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask me and I can ask my husband for you.

I feel that if this is something you are really wanting and have researched and discussed with your family. Then go for it! It is however important to understand that with any surgery there are risks involved. I would definately pick a board certifed plastic surgeon. Make sure the benefits out weigh the risk for you. I think we as moms DESERVE to pamper ourselves and do things that make us HAPPY once in a while. So I say do your research, pick a GREAT doctor..... Then GO FOR IT!!! Good Luck. I hope this helps!

T.

Its a fairly common issue. I am a cancer survivor and I really like my plastic surgeon. He also does a lot of work with formerly-overweight people in procedures just like these. AND he's an advocate for skin donation for cancer and burn patients, so you know that your loss is also someone else's gain. :]

Dr. Kamal Sawan, OU Physicians Bldg ###-###-####

He also works out of other hospitals. His desk girls - Anna and Sara - are very sweet and helpful. They can answer alot of the questions you might have. Congrats and good luck!

Dr. Greg Ratleff. He's the best in Tulsa.

i have the same, its more extra skin than the abs, my abs did tighten up very well after tons of crunches. But its kind of like, whats the point if i still cant wear a bikini? lol...ive considered a tuck also. Not on the top of my list in this economy since its vanity, but eventually will probably go for it

After 5 kids,I have this problem. I can't afford plastic surgery right now though. Do you plan on having any more kids? If so you probably should wait. If you get it let me know how it went!

If this surgery means no more children, then I would say it is too soon to make such a permanent decision.

i had a tummy tuck after my second child with no complications. They removed 3 1/2 inches of skin... i was in a size 10 because of my stomache and after the swellen went down after my surgery i am now in a 5/6
i also had breast augmentation as well because i had what they call slipper boobs from breast feeding....very flat and then saggy at the bottom.

Good luck and just make consultations with more than one doctor make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor. I saw 3 before i made my decision.

Make sure you are done having children and just beware you cannot pick up your child NO MATTER WHAT for 4 -6 weeks after surgery. i had mine done when my youngest was 2 and she understood she couldn't climb on me and all that jazz.

In my neck of the woods i had my tummy tuck and breast augementation (at the same time) for $6605.00. i know in other parts of the country it is much higher but down here that is the norm.

Good Luck and go for it.