looking for tummy tuck info

 Hello everyone,
My name is Lesley and I had VSG March 2012. Since then I have lost a total of 71 lbs and I am interested in getting a tummy tuck at some point. I have about 28 lbs to get to goal. I have a lot of questions, and would love to hear from you!

How soon after WLS did you have tummy tuck?
What type of TT did you have, and why?
I carry a lot of weight in my middrift, does that help you decide what type of TT to get?
Did you get lipo along with TT?
Does Dr. decide where to put the incision?
After TT is it hard to find a bathing suit (bikini bottoms) that covers your scar?
If you had the choice after TT, would you do it again?
What is the recovery like?
Any other info I should know?

Thanks again for all your help!
Lesley

I was 18 mo out when I had tt
Extended tt with muscle tightening, then 6 wks later the back half, so it made a lower body lift, my doc likes to do front and back separate( I had brachio with first surgery, bl/ba with the second)
Talk to your surgeon about what type
I had no lipo, not much fat just skin
Tell the doc you want the incision low so you can wear low cut jeans etc...
Bikini bottoms cover my scar completely
I would do any of my surgeries again in a heartbeat!
Recovery is tough the first few days, but gets easier every day, pain pills and a binder will be your friend!
Recover for me was not too bad at all, tummy has been easier than arms.
Hope this helps, feel free to ask more..

 Anne,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am so new to this search that you must forgive my lack of knowledge!
You mentioned that you had brachio, what does that mean exactly?
What is an extended tt? 
When they do muscle tightening is that just in the front? Can they extend it to your sides so that it looks like you have an hour glass figure? I have noticed that some woman look not so curvy after TT.
What does bl/ba stand for?
What made you determine time wise when to have your TT?
Thanks for being so understanding and helpful!
Lesley

Brachioplasty is doing your arms, the removal of the hanging skin on under side of upper arms (aka bat wings).
An extended tummy tuck goes further around the side
Not sure about what muscles are tightened, but I think it's all your front abdominal muscles
I'm still a little curvy, but pretty slim at this point, not a boy body, I know what you mean
Bl/ba is breast lift, with augmentation ( meaning implants), my brother is my plastic surgeon, he said if I did a lift without implants it wouldn't give as good of a result ( my breasts are awesome now I have to say) . I found the breast part very easy, have a lolipop incision, healed very quickly, barely any scar and I'm only 3 wks out. I have been wearing a normal underwire bra since week two.
Time wise I scheduled two surgeries when I was within 10 pounds of goal, they were about 7 wks apart. My brother didn't recommend the whole lower body lift at one time, he said there are more healing complications. So round one I did my arms and extended tummy. Round two I did breasts and back area, aka butt lift, basically the rest of the way around. I'm very happy with all of it. Healing well. I think I'm going to do a face/ neck lift next. I had lots of loose skin even tho I work out a lot, I've lost 120 pounds. Let me know if you think of anything else, as you can tell I'm not that shy about this )

 Hey Anne,
Wow! Congrats on your weightloss, 120 lbs is amazing!! Before surgery I was thinking I wanted to lose a total of 100 lbs...but since I am losing at a consistant rate I might change my goal to a total of 130 lbs! 
Thanks for all your info, it has really helped me. How cool is it that your brother is your surgeon. My father inlaw is a plastic surgeon too, but he is retired. He also thinks that I should really investigate the tt. 
Congrats to the new you! If I think of anything else I will reach out to you!
Lesley
BTW...I am sending you a friend request if you don't mind!

I had my extended abdominalplasty and full back lipo at about 19 months post VSG.  I had been at my goal for about 6 months and my doc was pleased with that.  I think to get the best results it is best to be at goal if possible.  I didn't know what I wanted when I went to my PS exactly but that I wanted my tummy gone!  I know alot of people have lower body lifts so I wasn't sure what I needed.  He said that I didn't need that because I did have a "nice " shape in his opinion in my back.  I totally trusted him..I had seen his work on a friend that had a VSG and as soon as I saw her tummy..I knew this was the doc that I wanted!  I didn't even go for another consult.  He was my man!  He choose what kind of TT to do and we discussed it and I just totally trusted him.
   My scar goes from hip to hip and it is very low.  I could easily wear a bikini and not have it show.  I am very happy with my results and would do it again in a minute...but it was not an easy surgery!  The first 4 or 5 days were very tough.  Your tummy is so tight from the muscle tightening that standing up straight is not an option.  My husband was home with me for 4 days and that was a hugh help.  That is what they give you drugs for...it helps so much and I wasn't afraid to use them.  I don't like pain and wanted to be as comfortable as possible and my surgeon was very understanding about that.
   Before I even had my VSG I knew that I wanted a TT at the end of my journey...it was going to be my reward for going thru it all...and I did it.  It was the cherry on my sundae!!  I would do it again in a minute...I was totally self pay and worth every penny!
good luck to you...I would really do research and try to find a good surgeon ..one that you have actually seen his work. 
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Patty

 Hi Patty,
Thanks for getting back to me about your TT. The more info I get the better I feel! I plan on doing a lot of research since I do have a PS in my family, he is since retired and is going to help me find the best PS in my area. But I want to make sure I get plenty of info from people who have actually had a TT. The sleeve forum really helped me through my WLS, and now I hope to get the same support here from people like you and Anne who have been kind enough to share your experience!
So I read that you also had full back lipo? That might be an option for me too since my backside is not too bad. How did you sleep since both your front and back were affected? Were you all black and blue from lipo?
Thanks for your input!
Lesley

Hi Lesley,

This Forum also helped me alot with my sleeve and then with my PS...so I am more than happy to share!  Just paying it back as they say.

Yes sleeping for a few days was very difficult...but the pain meds helped and my doc also gives you a muscle relaxant for a few days  (I think about 4 days) and that too is a big help.  My back bruised alot..but I am just one of those people that easily bruise.  IT goes away and so does the pain.  I knew the pain would be tough for awhile but I wanted this very much so I was willing to go through it.
Sleeping was tough for a while...my front and sides all had incisions from my extended TT..and then the back with lipo..I think I ended up sleeping on my back because it hurt less that way.  All I can tell you is that the first 4 days are tough or atleast they were for me...but it really does get better.  Having my husband there was a hugh help. 
I am happy with the surg that I picked...the extended TT and back lipo...My back luckily was good enough.  I considered having my boobs done and talked to my doc about it alot...but in the end I decided that they were not bad enough to spend an additional 10,000 and in a good bra they looked fine.  And I am so glad that I didn't have them done because now after my TT...they are so much bigger looking..because my tummy is smaller.  I can't tell you how many people have asked me if I got new boobs too!  So I feel like I got them for free!  Yes after 3 kids I would like them to be alittle perkier...but it is all about a good bra and they are great!
You are smart to get as much info as possible.  It is such an exciting journey!!
Patty

I am almost 18 months post op. had it done on Thursday. Technically I had a panniculoectomy. Yes as it fixed my extra skin as 99% was just empty skin. I can tell you I am in a world of pain.
I think I had some lipo but won't know for sure until I go back. Yes my surgeon decided where to put incisions.my incision is low low....think bikini.

To soon to know if i would do it again. Loads of pain.i have two drains that pull every time I move. Keep loads of gauze on hand and junky baggy clothes.

 Hi Terilynn,
Thanks for sharing your info! I hope you are feeling a bit better each day! How did you decide what type of tt to get? wishing you a speedy recovery!
Lesley