Advice about a tummy tuck

I was thinking the same as Lara8603 above -

These are really different fields, and given the amount of money and pain involved in this procedure, I'd want to select a real expert knowing that I'm living with the aesthetic outcome of this surgery for the rest of my life.  Directly, if he's doing bariatric surgeries then he can't be as experienced with plastic surgeries compared to people specializing in it.

As an FYI, I checked the AMBS and Vishal Mehta is not board certified in plastic surgery.

Good luck with your procedure!

As you can see, everyone is different. I also used the same dr for both surgeries. Pain wasn't bad. I don't remember how long I was on pain pills. Not long though. I took 2 weeks off from work.

I went down one size.

I had swelling for probably 6 months or so depending on what I was eating and how much exercise I was doing. I still feel some pulling sometimes when doing ab work and I am a little over a year out.

Diet--up your protein. It will help with your healing. I know there are some vitamins that I stopped taking but I don't remember what they were. Check with your dr.

It is totally worth it. Good Luck. Any other questions I might be able to help with, just ask

Kim

Dr Sauceda uses an epidural and twilight sedation and the pain really was minimal and I have a very low tolerance for pain.  All my body work wasn't bad.  The facelift hurt like the dickens though.

I was off for 8 weeks.  My size didn't change, still in size 9 jeans, but mostly medium tops instead of large...  I had 10 drains, came home with one mons drain.

 I consider the term "tummy tuck" to be generic - it can mean so many different things.

Are you having pannulectomy, abdomioplasty - what type of incision: circumferential, fleur de lis, hip to hip??  Is there muscle sculpting involved or just removal of skin??

I had a fleur de lis abdominoplasty (incision was mid hip to mid hip horizontally and vertically from mons to sternum with massive muscle sculpting to make hourglass figure.)

I agree that my bariatric surgeon, since she is not a credentialed plastic surgeon could not perform both procedures.  I went to a plastic surgeon specializing in body sculpting after massive weight loss.

My experience (since I had arms done at the same time) will be different from some.

My abdominoplasty was the most painful surgery I've ever had (I've had 6 open incisions previously).  I am 11 months post plastics and my belly is still sore and very tight.  I feel like I've been Karate kicked in the gut.

I had 2 drains and a pain pump to come home with.  Took 3 weeks off work and then 1/2 days for 2 weeks - this was a desk job.

I did drink protein drinks alot the first few weeks.  Tried to keep grams of protein to 100+ to help healing.

I've lost 11 pounds since plastics and wear a size 4 (was size 8-10 before plastics.)

My plastic surgeon says my tummy will be sore till I'm 18 months post op.  I don't have much core strength.

For me - It was a rough surgery (but again I also had arms done at the same time).

Best wishes.  You can click on my name or picture and see my before and afters.  Penny