Tummy Tuck/lipo

I WILL be having a tummy tuck, hopefully next year. I recently had my consult so it's all fresh ;) Make sure your surgeon is licensed by the American Association of Plastic Surgery, I believe that's the organization, their logo kind of looks like a circle. Google the HECK out of whoever you're considering.

Absolutely get a consult before diving into this. It cost money, but it's well worth it. My doc took pictures of my stomach from all angles, and put it into some computer software and was able to alter it to show me more or less what I'd look like afterwards. You will have a scar from hip bone to hip bone. Recovery is similar to that of a c-section. The doctor will NOT touch you if you smoke cigarettes!! It gives you poor circulation and can cause necrosis of the skin, meaning, it turns black and dies.

After surgery, you'll have drainage tubes in, which will help remove fluid leftover in the space. They make you a new belly button hole. The tubes are removed after about a week, ditto with the external stitches. You'll have about 3-4 follow up visits.

Oh, and it's not cheap ;) Some insurance companies will cover this, most will not. A good doc will check your abs as well; my abs need to be tightened, tummy tuck or not, because I'm at hugh risk for many medical problems.

Any other questions, let me know :)

ETA: there's also a difference between a tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck (this is all considered abdominoplasty regardless)... like in my case, I do not need lipo ANYWHERE, BUT, I have to have a full (vs mini) tummy tuck because of my body frame. It's all on a case by case basis. Most great surgeons have picture examples on their websites, so start doing your homework online!! :)

I strongly suggest losing all the weight you want to first, before you get the tummy tuck. The reason I say this, is if you do get the tummy tuck and lose a lot of weight after that, you still are going to have stretched skin. To give you an idea, I currently weigh 119, when I was 5 months pregnant, and about 125-130 lbs, my stomach looked perfect, couldnt even tell I had extra skin, until I lost all the weight, now its deflated. So, when people tell you to be most of the work yourself, there is a reason for it.
My MIL had lipo and gained it back within months. :(

Im not sure if your close to STL, But Dr. Mills and Dr. Copeland are great.

I really hate the show the Dr.'s. But I was watching it for a few minutes the other day.
They showed a really interesting bit on tummy lipo. Saying that if you don't maintain that weight loss and you should gain weight it will come back in weird ways. Like humongous thighs. Lol.
Just a thought.
Wouldn't it make sense to get to a healthy weight and then if you need the skin removed go in and talk about removing it then?
IDK...no judgement. I struggle w/ my weight too.

I had lipo and it went very well, but it was a relatively small area (love handles/spare tire.) I also considered the tummy tuck but decided against it mostly because of the recovery time. A lot of doctors will tell you it's similar to a c-section but most of the people I connected with were down, on medication and in pain for 2 to 3 weeks, I just couldn't go there!
Make sure your doc is BOARD CERTIFIED in plastic surgery. A lot of doctors advertise themselves as board certified but that could be in any area, like pediatrics, or podiatry!
Also check the Better Business Bureau and American Medical Association for complaints.
Good luck!

My friend had it done and loved it! I, too, have the lovely twin skin, so one day I hope to get the procedure done. My twins combined for 16 lbs, then my singleton was 10.7 pounds. I have lots of extra skin, so I feel your pain!

I just had a full TT with muscle repair, and lipo of my arms 6 weeks ago.
I am THRILLED with my results. So let me assure you, if you do it with a good surgeon, it will be worth every penny.

Make sure your doctor is fully accredited by the Association of Plastic Surgeons. That's the big one. If he/she has done a plastic surgery residency, all the better.
You'll be truly "down for the count" for a week. Moving slowly for another week after that. Following that, life will be back to normal, you just can't pick up the kids for 6 full weeks. So make sure you have help there.

Different surgeons have different techniques. Do your homework there. MOST surgeons will use drains to drain off fluid, and have you wear a compression garment for at least 6 weeks post sugery. My SIL had this.
I did not. My surgeon used a technique called a "quilting stitch", which is fairly new, and designed to reduce swelling. He also did not have me wear compression at all. I can tell you that I've had a fast recovery, and aside from right around the incision, I've never been swollen. I had not experienced "swell hell" to this day.
I don't know if that's the technique, my genetics, or a combination of both. But worth getting feedback from both angles.

Lipo is a piece of cake, but many sugeons (including mine), don't like to do lipo WITH a tummy tuck - meaning in the abdomen/flanks area - because it prolongs the recovery and increases swelling. Many folks have had both, again. But you'll find their recovery feedback very different.

Check out www.makemeheal.com, in the forums. You'll get a lot of good feedback. (PS: if you can avoid the summer time, do it. you don't want to be sweaty and under compression. just stinky and uncomfortable!)
Feel free to PM me with any questions!