How many consults...

Hello all..

I have really appreciated this website and have been reading all the posts on this board. After maintaining my 100+ weight loss for about 10 months, I find myself real fed up with the amount of excess skin I still see in the mirror.

I went to my first free consult about three weeks back and it really hit home how real the process was, even scared me a little. First off, as I am only 18 years old I find it weird to be getting a tummy tuck. Maybe it will be better to get it done now, but I worry at how permanent this decision is. What if I hate the way it turns out? It's not like I can turn back time. I have suffered emotionally from the skin but is the hip to hip scar I will receive, constant swelling, and the financial price worth it? I would love to hear anyones opinions and experience as I have a lot of different thoughts going through my mind.

Also, how many different consults do you think one should have? I have met with one doctor (who I loved) and also talked with Dr. Lo via email. I don't want to go with the first PS I meet with though.

Thank you for your support in this big decision,
Lauren

Be sure to do ALL your research, and then research some more.  What happens if you have a TT at 18 then get pregnant?  how will the TT affect the pregrnancy?  decide now if you want to have kids in the future, find out how the TT would affect that, and then decide.  You may be better off waiting until you finish having kids to have themuscle tightening part of the TT, but you could have a Panniectomy and just have the skin removed.  Research that option also.

Think about the PS this way, is the amount of skin you have going to be a detrimint to the life you want to live?  will it get in your way, or negativly influnce your perception of yourself?    COuld it possibly lead to furth health complications in the future (Rashes, skin break down, walking issues, spinal pain, etc. ?  IF so then do something about it.

Scars fade, plus most Guys I know think chics with scars are COOL!  they appreciate the pain that must have occured with the scar.  The swelling will not be life long.  Yes swelling will happen during healing and can take up to a year to fully go away (HEALING internally can take up to a year to complete) but it DOES go away.

Personally, I am VERY HAPPY i had my LBL 2 weeks ago.  I can already feel adifference in my spinal arthritis pain, I do not have bruises from being hit in the thighs by my belly when I walk, etc.

As far as the number of consults, It depends on how long it takes you to find a surgeon you trust..  I only had one.  The doctor was recomended by my PCP, my Bariatric Surgeon, and is a personal friend of my Rheumatologist.  As soon as I met him I knew he was the one that was going to do this surgery for me.  But IF I had not liked him all the recomendations in the world would not have convinced me to use him and I would have had more consults until I found the right surgeon for me.

 Edited to add thoughts on future pregnancy.

I guess it depends on overall comfort. You have to weigh the pros and the cons. For me, I want something afordable, but my safety and well-being is number one. I want someone who has a good reputation and has been in the business a long time. So those are two things I look at. I hope that helps a little. I don't really know, I am just saying the 2 things that are important to me. I'm going for mine in August. Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.

Granted I'm a lot older, but scars were preferable to me than the skin.  In time they'll fade to a thin white line, depending on how your body deals with scars. 

There are some folks on the DS forum, who've had TT then a baby.  You can ask over there.  That would be something else to discuss with the PS when you are having your consult.  One lady actually was excited that her milk came in just before she delivered.  She'd had a BL a few years before. 

Personally, I feel more sexy now with the excess skin gone.  My clothes fit better and I feel better about myself.  I'm 5.5months out from LBL, BL, arms, medial thigh lift.  I've been out dancing since the end of April... my arms are up for twirls most of the time.  Not one person has made a remark about my scars.  They are still very visible. 

I wore my garment for almost 3 months, then every other day or so.  Now, I'm just wearing it at night and I'm mostly good during the day and evening.  I still swell during the day.  But, it is getting better.  Clothes fit much better now.

I'd recommend at least 3 consults.  I had 4.  It can't hurt to get other opinions and perspectives, especially if the consult is free.

I'd also ask about the panniculectomy vs. the tummy tuck if you want kids in the future.  I don't think a TT would negatively affect a pregnancy, but the pregnancy is very likely to negatively affect the TT.