Question:
Anyone else had a TT? How much additional weight did you shed?

I had WLS 14.5 months ago (started at 407) and am now down to 226.5. I am tall/large boned, so I'm aiming for 190. That means I have 26.5 lbs. to goal. My question is, did anyone with similar stats have a tummy tuck? How much additional weight did you shed when they removed the skin? I just don't think I have much more fat to lose ... it's mostly skin now ... and I don't want to get skinnier than 190 in the long run (after TT), because I look great at that exact weight. Please give me some advice.    — Terissa R. (posted on May 25, 2002)

May 24, 2002
According to my surgeons, you do not lose as much as you think you probably would...and they emphasize that the point of the plastic surgery is NOT weight loss! I started at 340 lbs, had my abdominoplasty at 210lbs. My "apron" was large - hung down below my pubic area in front, obscured my vision of my feet - I still looked 6 months pregnant. The actual weight of all the skin and crud they removed was 9.5 lbs.... However - let me say this - I am still swollen, have fluid retention, BUT - the removal of that stuff has made an INCREDIBLE difference!!!
   — Cathy J.

May 25, 2002
I had a Panniculectomy at the same time as my Gastric Bypass. My surgeon removed 30 pounds of skin and fat.
   — JoanneML

May 25, 2002
I weighed 170 lbs at the time of my tummy tuck. The surgeon said he removed six pounds during the surgery. When I returned to the surgeon's office 10 days post-op for removal of the stitches, I weighed in at 161 pounds.
   — Kristy J.

May 25, 2002
I am 6' tall and started weighed 314 at the time of WLS. When I had my TT I weighed 192 and the plastic surgeon told me he estimated the weight of what he took off to be around 15 pounds. However, I have not gotten below 183 and that was the day after Thanksgiving of last year. My PCP says that he doen't want me to lose anymore weight, but I feel as though I could still lose another 10-15 pounds and be just right. I realized that I was eating entirely too many processed carbs (crackers, pretzels, etc.) so I have all but given them up for a while to see if it makes any difference. If not, then I guess my body wants to weigh 183!
   — livnliter

May 25, 2002
I weighed 350 before WLS & was about 185 when I had my TT. My Dr said he removed about 4 pounds of skin. My panni wasn't huge, just a bother. I actually gained a few pounds immediately after surgery due to the swelling & fluid retention. I'm now just short of two months past my TT & I have lost 10 pounds. I weighed 175 this morning which is 10 pounds over my goal weight of 165#. (I also STILL have some swelling from the TT; I know because my hip bones aren't as sharp & defined as they were before surgery even tho I was 10 pounds heavier.) However, at MOST half of the loss was due to the TT. I found that losing those first few pounds & then really thinking more about how the final result would look ( and how I WANTED to look) really got me back on the weight loss wagon. I had relaxed a lot in my eating habits in the 2 years since WLS & had gained a few pounds. I was still happy with how I looked & with my loss & was healthy, but I was happy to find that if you tighten back up on your eating, the weight loss can resume. Another thing I was reminded of is that when you really stick to a good, healthy diet or just plain eat less, any desire for those "bad" foods really does decrease. I've been eating less, snacking less & it's been really fun losing pounds again. Doggone it, tho, I had to go buy some smaller pants! :)
   — Kathy W.