Question:
I would like to know of an experiences that have been had reguarding tummy tuck surgery.

It has been 2 years since my gastric bypass surgery. I have not lost all the weight I would like to loose but am still losing aobut 2 pounds a month. I need to lose at least 30 more pounds. However, it has become uncomfortable with all the hanging tummy skin. I would like to know some of the pros and cons of having the tummy tucs from anyone who would like to share their experience.    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 3, 2002)

March 3, 2002
I had my tummy tuck (pannniculectomy) and armlift surgery in November. I was approximately 15-20 lbs. from goal, and the plastic surgeon removed 16.4 lbs. of excess skin and fat. Others may have had completely different experiences, but for me, this was the most "comfortable" surgery that I have ever had. I was up walking the same day, not even stooped over, and could easily have gone home the next morning, but my surgeon's protocol is to keep his patients two days. I had a couple of doses of IV pain medication in the Recovery Room and right after I returned to my room, but after that I never had any pain that was worse than a bad paper cut. I am sure that that is because I had a panniculectomy which does not involve any work on the underlying muscles of the abdomen. Abdominoplasty patients most likely experience some increased discomfort. I was discharged from the hospital with four drains in place....Jackson-Pratt drains which look like small hand grenades. They were totally painless, just aggravating to keep pinned to my clothing and out of the way. Three of those drains were removed in the office over the next 2 weeks (again, totally painless procedure), but the last drain stayed in six weeks due to a continuing large amount of drainage.....unusual length of time, but not abnormal, according to my surgeon. These drains siphon off excess fluid that accumulates under the skin after surgery. My surgeon explained that if he didn't place the drains, he most likely would just have to go in periodically with a needle to drain that fluid.....no thanks! I had no external sutures or staples, and now just have a fine red line that is fading daily. He told me that I would have the abs and arms of a 16 year old.....I have corrected him since, and confirmed that I did not have abs and arms THIS good when I WAS 16! I was back to work full-time in two weeks and couldn't be more pleased with my decision and the results. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

March 4, 2002
Please read my profile for my experience. Good luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]