Unexpected decision to make: Anchor Cut or Not?

Thanks so much for your response!  I agree, it is definitely a personal decision. That is part of what makes it so tough - there is really no "right or wrong", no obvious answer.  

 

I'm glad you are so happy with your result - and if you are already happy at just 3 weeks post-op, just imagine how great your results will be when you are fully healed and the swelling subsides!  How exciting! 

 

As I have been thinking about this - I think the anchor cut is probably the right choice or me.  I have more skin and  fat in my stomach than the average tummy tuck patient, and so much "stuff" to get removed.   I think I'll be happy with the results and the scar won't bother me.  But I do worry about the issues that your PS brought up - the prolonged healing processing and the increased chance of complications.   I've never seen anything concrete written about the difference in healing/complications between an anchor tummy tuck and a standard.  Did your surgeon give you any specifics on that?

 

Thanks for your encouragement!

I am also in the same boat and also an apple shape!  My surgery is this Friday the 29th and I'm going for the anchor cut!  I also will never wear a bikini so I'm fine with the scar.  I am doing this cause I feel it's the best option for my body type and I think it will make my clothes fit better!  Good luck with your surgery!  Keep us posted on your decision!!!

Thank for your response!  Good luck with your surgery tomorrow - I'm sure you'll do great!  I'll send up an extra prayer and lots of healing vibes your way. :)    Looking forward to following your recovery as I won't be too far behind.  I think I'm going to go for the anchor cut too!

I am almost two years out from my anchor cut. My scar isn't that noticable but I am like you and probably won't be wearing a bikini anytime soon. I am happy with my surgery and don't think I would have a waist without it.

I took three weeks off from work and came home with 2 drains. They were both gone within 10 days.

Good luck with your surgery-which ever one you choose

Thanks for your response - I'm so glad to hear that you are happy with your results.    The more I've been playing around with my skin I can see how I would be sort of funny looking without the anchor cut. I do have  a lot of skin (and some fat still) above my belly button.  I believe I'll have two drains as well (maybe three?) and while they are sort of "creepy" I am not too worried about them as I had one with my WLS as well.    It's the wound healing that I'm worried about...  I've read that the blood supply is cut off more with this surgery and so wound healing issues are a problem.  I'm scared about that... but I also don't want to do a surgery that I won't be satisified with the results.

 

So, as of today, I do think I'm going with the anchor cut.  Eek!  Hope I'm as happy as you when I'm a couple of years out!  :)

Had my anchor tummy tuck done yesterday!!  I feel pretty good.  I have a pain pump and one drain.  The only thing is my dr said not to use the binder for at least a week.  Is that normal for the anchor procedure?.  I feel like I need it but haven't used it cause she said not to.

Congratulations!  I'm impressed that you were already up and posting just a day after your procedure  - you are a tough cookie. :)   

 

I believe my doctor is putting me immediately into compression/a binder right after surgery... however, I've been obsessively reading about anchor tt on the web lately and I have seen references to several surgeons out there who do as your surgeon does and wait a week or even longer before putting their anchor tt patients into binders.  The reason, from what I can gather, is that with an anchor tt you are more likely to have tissue dying (especially at the intersection of the incisions). Tissue death happens when there is insufficient circulation the tissue, so a too-tight binder could theoretically increase the risk of tissue death.  It's a trade-off I suppose, because the compression helps with swelling and offers some wound protection.

 

If you trust your surgeon (which I assume you do since you picked her!) I'd just follow her recommendations.  Every surgeon is different, and every surgery is different.  In your particular case, she may be more worried about tissue death than she is about any benefits compression may provide - for instance, maybe you have a lot of scar tissue that might make you even more susceptible to tissue death.   If you are feeling unsure about all of it, just give her office a call.  I'm sure they would either explain it to you, or give you the thumbs up to go ahead and put on compression garments.   If you feel like you need it, maybe that means you have a lot of swelling and your body could benefit from it? 

 

Looking forward to following your recovery.  I'm going in tomorrow morning for my procedure and I'm SO NERVOUS!!!  I'm not sure I know what to do with myself today! :)

I bet you are so excited!  I know I was the day before!!  I'm now 4 days out and still have soreness.  It honestly feels like I have done a million sit-ups.  I trust my dr and have also read that wearing a binder doesn't really make a difference it's more for patient comfort.  I use a pillow when I get up to put pressure on it.  I also use my thigh muscles to get up so I'm hoping I will have nice sharply thighs!!  Lol. Good luck tomorrow!!  You will do great!!!