Question:
Does anyone who has had a tummy tuck regret their decision due to the horrific scar

that I have heard so much of. Does this scar eventually fade? Thanks    — Judi D. (posted on March 31, 2002)

March 31, 2002
I don't think the scar is horrific - it's pretty big, but it's not like I feel like Frankenstein! At 4 months, it has already faded significantly, and I expect that by a year it will not be terribly noticeable. (And to be honest, even if it was, I *still* would not regret having the abdominoplasty done!)
   — kateseidel

March 31, 2002
I don't regret it one minute the comparison to my hanging panni is incredible. I am 6 weeks out from my tummy tuck and yes I have a horrible scar but I figure who's looking at it anyway just my husband and he could care less.
   — susan V.

March 31, 2002
I agree totally with the previous poster. I am also 4 months post op from my panniculectomy and my scar has faded significantly. Even if it hadn't it was worth getting rid of that extra skin.
   — Helen C.

March 31, 2002
I did things the other way round and had a tummy tuck before I had the wls about 3 years ago. If I had known about the wls at that stage I would have done it round the right way but even so I was over the moon with the results of my tummy tuck. I looked permanently pregnant before and overnight it was gone. The advantage I have had since having wls is that I dont have a panni to worry about, already got rid of it. My scar from the TT was superceded with the wls scar down the middle plus I have one that goes from hip to hip. I can barely see that scar now and I am hoping my wls scar will fade the same way. Before I had the wls the tt scar didnt bother me either, I looked and felt so much better in my clothes (even though I went on and put on weight and had to have wls anyway). Its not horrific but it is a substantial scar.
   — Lesley B.

March 31, 2002
Anyone who qualifies for reconstructive surgery for abdominoplasty or other redundant skin removal presently has skin that is so stretched out and disfigured that the resultant scar from reconstructive surgery is going to look great in comparison to what was there before! I've had it all done this year -- breasts, TT, inner thighs, batwings, chin, and total body lift (butt & outer thighs) and while the scars fade a great deal as time goes on, and in general placement makes them a private matter, the comparison between a nice fine scar and hanging stretchmarked elephant-like saggy skin is a no-brainer. Of course, I'm assuming that one would have reconstructive surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon and not with a general surgeon or WLS, as I have heard of some who will do this procedure and even use staples instead of fine subcutanious stitching. Perhaps these are the "disfiguring scars you have heard about". Personally, I could not be more pleased with my plastic surgery results and don't mind my scars one bit. To me it is miraculous that so much can be improved with so little evidence.
   — Jill L.

March 31, 2002
With time, all surgery scars heal. I've had 3 surgerys on my abdomen already, 2 c-sections a full hysterectomy, and with the hyst my Dr. through in a tummy tuck too. Even being MO my scar healed nicely. I was cut horizontally also, no bikini cut on me. I must have good skin. I hope it is as good after my next surgery (lap) <crossing fingers>
   — Moma V.