Question:
Tummy Tuck question please read Happy Vs Unhappy

I am scheduled for my abdominalplasty tomorrow and want to know if you were happy or unhappy with your tummy tuck results even if it didnt turn out exactly the way you wanted it to. The reason I ask this is because my choices were limited since I was using insurance and also not many surgeons in NV will take insurance for this type of surgery. I saw the surgeon today and I got the impression that he will do the best he can but not to expect a "perfect stomach" thats a scary thing to hear expecially since I want perfection, is this to much to expect? I also mentioned i wanted my pubis area pulled up but he said that he dosnt know if he can do that, that i may have to have a revision done, has this happend to you? My stomach is in knotts and yet I certainly dont want to cancell because its hard enough to get insurance to approve such surgery and my pre auth runs out in a few days. I dont want to take a chance of having to resubmit and getting denied. So I am going with what I got and hoping for the best but would like to hear from those out there regarding your experience and your opions.. this surgeon has been doing ps for 20 yrs and i didnt get to see pictures or talk to other patients as his office is extreemly swamped he does 3 different practices in one office. He stated he has done many tt's and so I am going with that...let me know what you think! thanx Deanna    — Deanna Wise (posted on June 3, 2003)

June 3, 2003
Although I had complications of a bleeder. I am THRILLED with my tummy tuck/abdominalplasty. I have a PERFECTLY flat stomach. My doctor is a perfectionist and wouldn't settle for anything but perfect. Go with your gut feelings.
   — ZZ S.

June 3, 2003
check with your insurance company I was approved for surgery and didnt have it before the 'review' date; THAT Didnt mean I would be denied!!!!! in fact, I was approved in August and didnt have it until the NEXT April!. So please call... if you 'feel' you need to pospone. Also, if your approved it DOESNT mean you would have to re apply to change surgeons; as long as the new surgeon put in for the same 'codes' (I also asked). And WHY Cant he do the pubis??? I didnt even thing about this.. but it must be 'standard' for some PS because my surgeon did "IT" and trust me THAT is worth it.! It improves appearance but the IMPROVES YOUR SEX LIFE alot!!! I didnt purchase the 'muscles' and was told it might not be 'flat' but I am flat... a bit soft the longer out BUT I am very much happy with what I got. my surgeon did a GREAT job, no dog ears, in fact I dont have any swelling.. which alot of people get. I did also have a blood pocket (when the drain comes out ) and the body doesnt close up and had to have a third drain put back in.. But other than that I like what I got ALOT!. As far as perfection goes, what is your difinition??? YOU did a lot of damage to your body - they PS can do alot but perfection???? You will still have a scar .... IF your demands are 'out of portion" that can also cause you to have trouble finding a PS... The main reason for the PS is to remove the skin that is causing 'trouble' NO for cosmetic reasons... perfection looms there... Flat, small scar, no dog ears... nice pubis these are obtainable... In fact, you need to know how your doctor is going to do your surgery. I mentioned this after the fact to my doctor he said he did what they call from the outside in (therefore NO chance of dog ears... ) said some surgeons dont spend the time (Mine was over 4 hours) and dog ears can occur. good luck... but call your insurance - if YOUR not happy/comfortable with your doctor... that can be trouble....
   — star .

June 3, 2003
Personally, I wouldn't do it unless I saw pictures. Is he experienced with WLS patients? Pre tummy tuck, I had a ton of excess skin and fat (OK, not a ton, just 7 pounds, but still). My tummy looks awesome. I didn't have too much of a mons problem, but that looks better too. It could be that he's just cautious about expectations, because some people expect perfection. I know some have had to have the mons resectioned w/ more extensive work, so it really depends on how bad your hanging skin is. Can you get an extension? He might be a perfectly wonderful surgeon, and he's just being cautious, but it would make me nervous if I hadn't seen pictures or talked to others. Maybe you can get some name TODAY and make some calls. They usually have a "happy patient" list.
   — mom2jtx3

June 3, 2003
Idid not have the oppertunity to see before and after pictures of tummy tuck either. We are a millitary family and my TT was scheduled with a general surgeon. I was compfortable because this was the same surgeon whom performed my Gastric Bypass. However when I got to the pre-op room, I had a whole new surgical team. Pretty scary!! Turns out I had an actual plastic surgeon and things turned out great. I am happy with my TT. My belly button looks a bit odd,but that's okay. I am not completely flat,but that's okay as well. I went into this knowing that it is risky and that I may not get the stomach I've always wanted,or the stomach I had as a young girl. And you know I didn't get either one of those. I did however get rid of the unsightly hanging stomach, I have a smaller belly button and it's where it's supposed to be. I can wear skimpy panties and my stomach doesn't hang out the sides. I can tuck a shirt in and I am flat. I look and feel great. Everyone's results are different,and our feelings are different. I went into surgery knowing that it would be better than what I have know. And it is much better. Best of luck to you. Becky
   — perpetualuv