Tummy Tuck

Has anyone had or been considering a tummy tuck? I'm within about 30 lbs. of my goal weight (so hard to believe, but so much closer to goal than my starting weight!), and clothes that fit me around the waist are too big around the hips (and finding something too big around my hips is really hard to believe--didn't think I'd ever see that!). My abdomen is definitely still a problem. Before I check with the surgeon's office about having one, I thought I'd ask what anyone else's status is along those lines. Don't know if it's way too soon or why did you wait so long or what? Comments?

I'm within 10 pounds of my goal and a TT is about all I'm thinking about these days... I've actually had it on the brain for a few months now, but as my goal gets closer and closer, the skin issue becomes a bigger and bigger problem. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally grateful for where I am right now, and if I never get a TT, I'd still be happy. I'm also very grateful that so far, the skin isn't causing any physical problems. No rashes, no out of the ordinary back pain, etc. I know some have considerable problems after surgery and I'm glad I'm not one of them. However... There's always a 'however' isn't there? Psychologically, it's a bigger deal for me. First of all, I'm very self conscious about the skin around my stomach, as much, if not more so, than I was about my weight. Being intimate with my husband is difficult for me because I'm always worried about what it looks like to him. Thank goodness we don't have mirrors on our ceiling! Every time he touches me, I struggle to not cringe like I did when I was MO. Like I said, physically, I feel absolutely fabulous, but mentally, I'm still working on it... A TT will definately be in my future, I just don't know when...

You look so great. I love your pic within a pic! I'll have to ask my son about fixing one like that for me. If you're within 10 lbs. and still have problems with the tummy, maybe I'm not as bad off as I thought. I do have 30 or so lbs. to go. I just can't believe I'm this close. I do have rashes, and they get bad sometimes. Plus I have chronic back pain anyway. It's so much better than it was 11 months ago when I was going in for frequent spinal steroid injections--which I haven't had since my surgery. Like you, I'm thrilled to be where I am, and I can certainly live with this forever if this is as good as it gets--and I really believe it just keeps getting better. It is a huge psychological adjustment for you and everyone around you. I think we'll all deal with that for quite awhile.

Hello- My doc says for me not to have plastics of any kind until i'm 2 yrs out. I am tho going ahead and looking into plastic surgeons. I have been told that it can take a while to get everything inorder. Especially if you are wanting insurance to pay. I have a consult June 5th at 1 pm w/Dr. Griffin in Nashville, TN. Even though I don't plan on having it til next June I wanna go ahead and see what I need done and the costs. The prices are good for a year. I have another consult in Jan w/Dr. Gingrass. I plan on looking at 4 to 5 different surgeons then picking one. The price is a big issue w/me. But I hope things go great w/u. Just make sure you pick from a few surgeons and not just pick one and be the end of it. I was gonna but was told to get a variety and all bc some won't file for insurance. Which I'm pretty sure self pay is what I will have to do. Plus the prices I may have to go w/the lowest. All of them are amazing. You can go to the plastic surgery forum and look at the directory and it gives you a list in your state! Good luck w/the process! I am 17 lbs from goal on my scale but only 12.5 lbs by docs scale. So pretty close lol. Most want the weight to be stable for 6 months before surgery. Or about 10 to 20 lbs from goal. But everyone is different. Just make sure the doc has experience w/WLP otherwise the results may not be what you want. ~April~ Lap RNY May 13, 2005 22 yrs old, 5'1 231 / 137 / 120

Thanks. That's a good time frame help! I had wondered whether to go to a plastic surgeon or the same surgeon who did my WLS. I may ask him for some recommendations. I'm about 200 miles from him, so it would be nice to be able to use someone in this area. However, as you said, I want it to be someone familiar with what's already happened in my history (my WLS, my cancer, etc.) so that he has a good pic of what's gone on with me before he tries another procedure. Your info really did help. Do you have any kind of price range so far? I have no idea at this point whether my insurance will pay. I went into WLS not knowing whether they would pay for that. It took 6 months almost to the day, but they finally came through. I only owed the hospital $75!

I have 2 so far the others have to see me. One is about 4,500 and the other is a lil less. So thats about the price range. A LBL is higher like 12,500 to 15,500. I didn't know which I would need so got prices for both, but so can't wait til June and find out if I need just a tummy tuck or LBL. I know I will need my arms done and my thighs. But we will have to see what they say. They will know better than me! LOL! Wow lucky w/you only owing so lil! THAT IS AWESOME! ~April~

Forgot that i had another quote for a TT that was about 8,000

I think that Laurie is scheduled for a tummy tuck this month

I am scheduled for a TT - one week from today!!! I'm a little below goal and have been for three months now. It's good to see my weight stabilize!!! I was worried about continuing to lose after I hit goal. Carbs is the key here! I've added in good carbs to my daily intake and it has helped a lot. My TT was approved because of my cantelope sized hernia that I've had since Sept. I will be sooooo glad to have that thing gone. It's just not right to have lost 130 lbs and still have something sticking out further then my boobs when I turn sideways in the mirror. I've seen two plastic surgeons on this issue and both required that the patient have lost 100 pounds and be stabalized in their weight loss. You don't have to be "at goal". Most want you to be 1 year out of surgery, unless you have a hernia that is causing you problems. I'm sure that if you wait until you're 2 years out you will receive the most benefits from your surgery. They say that by 18 mths out your skin has shrunk down as much as it's going to. Best of wishes on your consultations!!! Hugs, Laurie

Good luck next week!