Tummy Tuck: Would You Do It Again?

Hi Sharon! I'm having my incisional hernia repaired this year (in the fall, probably) & was going to have a TT, but now I considering LBL instead. I've had consults with 2 surgeons & 3 more scheduled for later this month when I'm on vacation. Do you know which surgeon you are going to use? I live in your area. Thanks!

I am having my new WLS surgeon perform the hernia repair (Dr. Maguire).  His partner is doing the TT (Dr. Teel).  They routinely do the hernia repairs and tummy tucks together.  I don't think I am gutsy enough for the LBL!!  Good luck to you!  I hope you are doing super well!!

It was the best decision ever made, and it was definitely worth the financial investment. Even though I lost weight, my stomach just grossed me out, esp when naked. Now I just feel more confident and have a little more pep in my step! i think that it radiates into my work and private life in a very positive way!

Thank you for the feedback.  It seems like everyone is super happy they had a TT.  How far out were you from your WLS?  Had you reached goal? 

I am just pondering the fact that I have lost a lot of weight, but am not at goal yet.  I know that the TT will help me lose quite a bit of skin and some fat, but am wondering if anyone else had their surgery before goal?

Thanks again everyone!

I ended up with an infection and still swell but I'd do it again (hopefully without the infection). I went from a 12 to a 4-6 and feel great and don't have skin infections. It was worth it.

I am sorry to hear about your infection.  How invasive was it?  Did you require a wound vac?  So, you went from a 12 before surgery (TT) to a 4-6?  OMG!!  Wow!  How far out from your original WLS was your PS? 

I will be nearly a year from my original surgery.  I am not at goal yet... not very close, either.  I have lost 148lbs as of this morning... but still realistically have about 60lbs until I reach a normal bmi.  The reason I am considering a TT this early out is because I can no longer wait for the hernia repair.  I am in constant pain and it is causing all kinds of other complications.  I simply cannot wait any longer.

I am a bit nervous about having the TT before goal.  But, I do not want to have yet another surgery after the hernia repair.  So, I am doing my best to lose more weight before July 30th.  That is when I am scheduled!!  Wish me luck!

Thank you for your input!

My WLS was 1-5-09, I didn't lose any more weight after August. I had a ton of skin. They cut off 6 pounds and took 2 liters of fat. I was technically at a normal BMI but just barely. But I couldn't lose more. I had been at the same weight for almost 5 months. I was 141 on surgery day and fluctuate between 128-134 in general.

I did have a 2nd surgery to clean the infection and a wound vac.

I *might*, but I might also just have had the excess skin removed.  My TT and previous hernia repair were both VERY painful, and my TT incision turned necrotic (since that was the third surgery along that same midline area).  It took 6 months for the "crater" to fill in.  That clearly colors my experience!

I probably could have "gotten by" with just the skin removal and some lipo in a couple of places, and it would have been a LOT cheaper.  I had my TT in January 2009 and I will be paying it off until next Christmas.  If I had opted just for skin removal, it would already have been paid off.

Who is going to do your hernia surgery?

Lora

Hell yes, best money I ever spent.  Buying a perfectly flat stomach is awesome!

I can speak from experience - I had a tummy tuck in October 2009 and I had another tummy tuck again two weeks ago on June 2.  Yes.....7 months apart.....and yes the surgeon ate the cost of my second surgery  My second surgery was a revision as I was not satisifed with the result of my first surgery.  HELL YES I would do it again!