TT Question

How does a surgeon determine if you are going to have just the normal horizontal cut or also include the verticle cut?

I asked my surgeon today and he said he didnt like to do the horizontal and vertical cuts at the same time cause the horizontal pulls on the verticle.  I'm almost thinking that with just the horizontal cut that it isn't going to get rid of the whole muffin top thing that's happening.

He also said that with weight loss patients the skin is so stretched out that it might be hard to get me totally flat.  I DO NOT want the muffin top I have now when I sit down or stand and I DO NOT want the panni area bulgy looking in clothes either.
 

Am I just over thinking this because I'm scared or what? 

Michelle

My surgeon did my anchor cut all at once. He explained to me that without the vertical cut I'd be left with a lot of loose skin on my sides and on my upper abdomen. I absolutely did not want the muffin top. He had no reservations about doing it all at once. I love my results and my stomach is very flat. I am so glad I had the anchor cut.

OMG...maaybe I'm making a mistake with having this surgeon do it. I don't want that muffin top and I'm paying completely on my own so this is a one time deal.

As weight loss surgery patients our skin creates a completely different set of challenges for plastic surgeons. I don't know your plastic surgeon or if he's worked with many wls patients or not. Normally a surgeon who is experienced with WLS patients realizes we are a challenge but I think an anchor cut tummy tuck is pretty routine. It's not uncommon to need a revision of the the incisions or to even go back and remove a bit more skin. Revisions are pretty normal for us too. Make sure you ask your surgeon what his policy is for revisions. You might also want to seek another opinion from another surgeon and make sure you ask if he has worked with many wls patients.

This surgeon is very familiar with WLS patients.  This is where the WLS doctor sends his patients when they are ready for plastics.  The PS surgeon said today that he has only done a couple anchors with his WLS patients cause when u pull it down it works out and no overhang.

Honey, if you have doubts, you owe it to yourself to at least get a second opinion.  Communications and trust are implicit for this one to be a success.

I went to two consults. One surgeon would do the anchor cut TT but not an anchor cut in conjunction with LBL. He had very little LBL experience. The second surgeon was very LB experienced and had no issue doing the anchor cut TT with the LBL. I wanted the anchor cut since I had open surgery and already had the vertical scar.

Keep surgeon shopping until you find an experienced surgeon to perform the surgery of your choice.

I agree with the PP.  I'd go on a couple of more consults.  Sounds like this surgeon isn't comfortable with the idea of doing an anchor cut.  Any surgeon who works on WLS patients knows our skin is different and that sometimes we require the anchor cut to get rid of the excess skin above the belly button.  There have been many of us on here who have had the anchor cut and their incisions look great and they all seem to be happy they had it done.  This is your money and you need to be comfortable with the surgeon and comfortable with the decision on the work you want done.  You shouldn't let a doctor talk you in to doing something you don't want.  I think once you go on more consults you will be better informed and be able to make a better decision based on what you learn.  I personally went on about 6 or 7 consults and they all agreed that I needed the anchor cut except maybe one and I think that's because he didn't have much experience with anchor cuts.  Some drs just don't like doing them for various reasons.  Just because your surgeon doesn't like doing them doesn't mean he isn't a good surgeon.  I also think just the fact that he said he can't make you totally flat means that you probably could use the anchor cut.  Not that there is a guarantee you will be totally flat (I'm not but close) but your results will be much better than doing a TT alone.

Good luck with your decision!

I would definately, as others have suggested, get another consult.  so many of us have had the anchor cut, both incisions together.  i had a lot of extra skin as well from the weight loss.  i love my tummy now!

kim