Question:
Has anyone had an anchor incision for their tummy tuck and been pleased after lap Rny?

I am nervous because my plastic surgeon is recommending an anchor incision for my tummy tuck. I specifically wanted the lap Rny so I wouldn't have to deal with the scar. I do want the best results and if the extra scar produces better results I'll do it. Please, I need input as I am planning the surgery for next month and need to make a decision about the incision as he gave me a choice. I do have some extra stretched skin above my belly button that could use tightening. Does the anchor also pull in some on your back and give you a more defined waist??????    — Bev M. (posted on December 13, 2002)

December 13, 2002
I wasn't lap, but I had the sorta anchor. But my horizontal isn't a smiley. It follows the body lines. Goes up on the hips, then down, curves up over the mound, kinda like a W? This part pulls up the thighs A LITTLE, and hips, as well as lopping off the "bag". And then the vertical is what pulls in the back & part above the navel. I had 2 tummies, very much an apple. I could NOT be happier with my TT. It was 7 yrs ago and still look WAY better than any tummy I EVER had. And I"m an old bat now! The scars are mostly faded. I don't do halter tops in public, but I can do crop tops.
   — vitalady

December 13, 2002
I had my lap RNY in 2000, and my anchor-incision panniculectomy/brachioplasty last November. Prior to my lap RNY, I had had a "traditional" gall bladder surgery leaving me with a 7-8" diagonal incision just under my right rib cage. I had always been a very "apple-shaped" individual, carrying most of my excess weight at or above the waistline. I also thought alot about the fact that one of the many advantages of the lap RNY was the tiny, almost unnoticeable scars post-op, and that the anchor incision was going to leave me with a pretty monumental scar. The bottom line, however, was that my 140 lb. weight loss had left with with completely unmanageable "flab" and ANY scar was going to be worth getting rid of all that excess skin and fat, allowing me to finally wear "normal" clothes and enjoy the increased activity of my new, healthy life. I have not for one second regretted my decision. My plastic surgeon used no external sutures or staples, so I simply have a fine pink (now fading to white) line from breastbone to pubic area, with a horizontal smiley-face incision from hip to hip. I have a completely flat, tight tummy....all the old scars from the lap RNY and gall bladder are completely gone because they were removed along with all that extra skin....and one of the nicest things about the anchor incision was that it pulled in all that extra tissue from the sides in toward the middle, leaving me with a wonderfully sleek back and sides (no more bulges above and below the bra band). It has been wonderful for me, and I wish the same great experience for you. Please feel free to email me privately if you have more questions ([email protected])
   — Diana T.

December 13, 2002
My original plastic surgeon suggested an anchor incision. Then I found www.tedlockwood.com. He did a body lift with a tiny incision that hides easily under thong undies. Nobody can tell I was ever Morbidly Obese. He completely resculpted my torso. Fixed calves, thighes, rear, "personal area", hips, tummy, back, Tons of lipo. I started into surgery a size 6 and came out of surgery a size 4. Can wear a bikini if I wanted. No visible scars. I lost 165 lbs. Started out a size 30. When i lost the weight I looked like a melted candle. I was so unhappy. Plastic surgery made my life incredible. Pick your surgeon carefully..IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOME.
   — lee J.

December 13, 2002
I think it depends on where you carry most of your weight. If you've always carried it in your stomach (above and below your belly button) and your stomach is the largest area on you, you probably need the anchor cut. If your weight was always distributed evenly and you don't have a lot of fat and skin above your belly button, you probably don't need the anchor cut. The first plastic surgeon I went to recommended the anchor cut and I told him that I wasn't trading scars for my weight loss. The second plastic surgeon I went to said I didn't need the anchor cut and he did my tt from hip to hip and it looks great. I have a VERY flat belly now. A lot of plastic surgeons just hear that you had weight loss of 100 pounds+ and IMMEDIATELY tell you that you need the anchor cut without even examining you. My point is, go to 3 or 4 different plastic surgeons with good reputations and see what each one says. If they all say you need the anchor cut, you probably do. If 2 out of 4 think you don't, then you need to ask for pictures of there patients who looked somewhat like you to see how there surgery turned out. In the end your still going to have a very long scar from the plastic surgery but if the plastic surgeon does a good job, it will fad with time. Good luck to you.
   — Patty H.