Lurker coming out and questions...

Hi I went for my 2nd consult with the PS I chose for my TT today and we scheduled surgery for Dec. 2nd.  I am so nervous and excited. My questions are these...1. He wants to do an upside down T cut and says this will give me a very nice waist and tummy.  or I can choose to just have the traditional cut in the bikini line...I have until my pre-op on Nov. 18th to decide. I am nervous about the vertical scar.  Anyone who had the lower insicion only do you regret it? and anyone who had the Upside down T scar, do you have a regret?  2. I have 4 kiddos to get childcare for...do you think 10 days is long enough to have someone taking care of them?   Thanks for your input!! -Jen Q.

Hi Jen,

I had the extended tummy tuck with the anchor cut. Once my surgeon explained it to me and the results that I would get, I knew it was what I needed and wanted. I was very concerned with the muffin top and the regular horizontal tummy tuck would not have addressed all of that extra skin on the sides of my waist. The vertical incision allows the surgeon to really pull that side skin in and it addresses the extra skin above the belly button as well. It gives you more of an hourglass shape.

I didn't have young children to tend to but I think after 10 days you should be getting around fairly well. I had the muscle tightening and that's what you feel the most. You shouldn't plan on lifting anything heavy...so no picking up the kids.

I have no regrets at all about having the vertical scar. It's healing nicely and seems to be fading really well. There's a picture on my profile at 4 weeks out. I need to post a more recent picture. I'm about 3 1/2 months out now and I've had no complications.

Best wishes to you,
Renee

Renee, I took apeek at your pics and you look great! How many cc's did you get? Tammy

Thank you Tammy. I sent you a PM.

Thank you Renee! You do look great.  I really appreciate your input. 

Jen,

There are PS's out there who can get FANTASTIC results without doing a vertical scar. Personally I know I absolutely DO NOT want a vertical scar. Fortunately, the PS I've chosen, Dr. Agha, uses techniques that make a vertical scar unnecessary in most cases. (He will, however, do the anchor cut when there is an existing scar from open bariatric surgery or open gall bladder surgery, both for technical reasons having to do with blood supply as well as the fact that the revised scar that Agha will do as a PS will look much better than the original scar done by a regular surgeon.)

Agha used to be based in Pittsburgh, though he's now in Southern California. However, he still operates in Pitts as well. Seeing that you are in New Jersey, it isn't terribly far from Pitts in the grand scheme of things, it  might pay for you to have a consult with him, either in person, or at least to do a virtual consult with him in which you email him photos and then he talks to you on the phone.

(Edited to add)
Warning...I have a pretty strong opinion on this
I have seen vertical scars on other people, in person (up close and personal), done by very well reputed surgeons, and I have to say, having seen the way they look, I *know* I could never be happy having this kind of scar on my body. I have generally been unimpressed by the supposed difference that the vertical scar is supposed to make in body shape. I realize that what I am saying is controversial and that some people who have vertical scars may not like what I am saying (and they are probably much more comfortable with scars than I am). But I stand by what I have said here.

My feeling is that if you get a surgeon on the forefront when it comes to innovative surgical technique, a vertical scar is unnecessary UNLESS you already have an open scar from WLS, gallbladder surgery or something else which necessitates that you have an open incision. Instead I think it is much better to find a surgeon whose techniques are more advanced, making such a scar unecessary in the first place.

Have you had a lot of consults with other PSs? The reason I ask is because I met with seven of them. Hearing the philosophy and technique of each one, they all offered me different approaches. The surgeon that I have chosen is in the middle of the pack in terms of price, but I am convinced that in terms of technique he is beyond the others with whom I met. Some of the other surgeons had really basic solutions, some had interesting ones. Meeting with so many of them, seeing their work and hearing what they proposed for my body, I really got a good feel for who was just an also-ran, who was good, who was great, and who would give me fabulous results.

A while ago someone on the board said it kinda depends if you are a Honda kind of person or if you want a Mercedes. When it comes to my body, I don't even want a Mercedes, I want a Rolls Royce. So it is all going to be highly dependant on your expectations, and what kind of scarring you can handle AS WELL AS how well you scar. (Even though I scar very well and my RNY "slits" are practically invisible, I know I can't handle that big vertical cut.)

It's a very personal decision. Take everything that other people tell you (including me, LOL) with a grain of salt. You are the one who has to live with the results.
(End of edited to add)

Good luck with whatever you decide!

(Oh, no idea about childcare and the kiddos...)

Cindy, thank you for your informative opinion.  I truly appreciate it.  I am really leaning toward the lower horizontal scar only.  I think that the vertical scar will be really hard for my husband to deal with.  (as well as me.) :) I am still gathering info and weighing the options.  The PS is sending me some pics of his patients that have had both procedures, so I can compare.  Again, Thanks for taking the time to give me you opinion.  I am  greatful. -Jen

Glad that something I said was helpful, and that I didn't offend you -- I know that I have a strong opinion on this subject!

Best wishes to you and let us know how your PS goes!