Need input - vertical incision added to tummy tuck???

Ok, I need some input from others that have done this before….I have finished four in person consultations. I received different opinions from each doctor of course, but I have decided on a lower body lift with liposuction of the saddle bag area. The only choice I have left that needs to be made is if I want the added long vertical incision (anchor cut)  in the abdomen to take out more skin above the belly button, but the extra scar makes me nervous and it seems like there is so much more that can go wrong with it…  

Three out of four doctors strongly recommended it to me in some form, as part of the lower body lift or as a fluer de lis abdominoplasty. My first choice for a surgeon told me it would be a complete waste of time and money for me if I did NOT get the vertical incision. He felt so strongly in fact that he won’t do the surgery without it.  

From those of you that have add it, was it worth it for you? How did it change your abdomen? Do you know how much more was removed vs. a traditional tummy tuck? Would you get it again?  

Is there anyone who did not get the vertical abdominal cut and still has loose skin?  

I even put some pictures of my abdominal skin up on my profile. It doesn’t look so bad on me, but when I saw those pics, whoa!  

Thanks for any information that you all can provide!

You can send your pics to Dr Sauceda at [email protected]  Get his take on it.  I had a very large muffin top that he lipo'd then pulled down w/o the anchor cut.  The LBL should clean up the front, side an back of your thighs, and pull up your butt.  It just depends on how much they can pull down also pulling up on the thighs & mons area.  Dr S is very honest about what he can and can't do.  Sometimes, it changes when he gets hands on a body.  You can click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line and it'll take you over to our group here on OH.  The scars do fade, but it would be a bit noticable for a couple of years.

Thanks Chris, I might do that. Actually, I just looked at the photos on his website and that was even very helpful. Several of his before pictures include the pre-surgery markup, so you can see the difference in the amount of skin that is taken out in some cases. Thanks!

I sent you a friend request with my password.  Pics are in the group photo section.

My PS told me in order to get my upper stomach "perfect" he'd have to cut under my breats to pull up the extra skin.  Well, I've decided with my LBL in November I'll just go ahead and have the BL too since I want it perfect.

My two cents:  listen to the experts.  They know of what they speak-and if you are going to go to this expense and pain, get the very best result you can.  I've seen many after pics with the vertical incision, and it faded quite nicely.

As with any surgery, the choice is a trade of scar for improved shape.  If you are willing to exchange, then the vertical scar can go a long way to correcting the horizontal escess of skin you may have.

The main  downside is that there can be more difficulty in healing the point where the two incisons meet.  Of course, there is more time and overall more surgery when adding the vertical component.

Your surgeon should be able to judge the excess skin AND the elasticity of the remaining skin.  I have several photos on my website   (case 7,9,10, and 13)

http://www.drlomonaco.com/houston-body-lift-surgery.shtml

of patients with a fair amount of excess skin who did not need the vertical incision...this was due to their good skin elasticity.

I had the anchor cut, and I experienced complications, but I would do it again. I think the results were worth it. It has been over 4 months since my surgery, and I'm still dealing with wound healing issues, but I'm almost DONE! Having the tummy tuck done anyway is a big deal, and if the doctor you have chosen (assuming you feel good about the research you've done about your surgeon) feels having the anchor cut will give the best results, I would go with his/her judgment. Even with a lengthy recovery, when you put that into perspective and consider the length of the recovery compared to the number of years you'll get to enjoy the results, it really is worth it.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I had a lot of hanging skin after 5 pregnancies and losing 100 pounds after my VSG. After the abdominoplasty and breast reduction, I lost almost another 30 pounds. I am THRILLED I did this.

Hope this helps,

Kim

Thank you, all input is appreciated! I am sorry you had complications, but I am glad you are almost done healing and sound so happy with your results. It must feel great to have all that extra skin gone :) I think part of my problem is that I have talked to five different doctors, and have received a different opinion from each of them. It’s a lot of information to sort through and a big decision to make, but no matter what I do, it will be an improvement for sure….