My doc said I MIGHT need a tummy tuck. He said that my skin was soft and he did not think it would firm up much more. What do you know about them? I have never really thought about this kind of thing, I always thought I was age gracefully but my belly looks terrible.

Kat

A friend of mine (who had twins, is petite and had a lot of exra skin) had a tummy tuck done. She said that she had extra skin removed, some muscles were pulled back together and sewn and then her tummy was tucked. She mentioned that it was very pricey but definitely worth it! Good luck!

Dunno if you get the channel but discovery health channel has a show called "Plastic Surgery Before and After" that follows patients through the process and even shows the surgery. They've shown patients who lost hundreds of pounds get "body lifts". Pretty amazing process.

Anyway, you might look to your tv guide and see if you can find it. Its quite informative.

you can also do a search, just type "tummy tuck" in your browser, you can even narrow it to where you live as well - there are sites that have pics, before and after, as well as cost, information about post op, etc.

Vikki

My mom had a tummy tuck last year. She had been 204 lbs and went down to 145 and had a pooch of skin left over. The doctor tightened her abdominal muscles and then removed excess skin. She had 3 kids be cesarian so she has the same scar that travels across her hips by her pubic area. She also had a bit of liposuction around her hips to contour her midsection further. My mama is HOT...she has always been beautiful but I think the confidence she has now makes her spark her even more. I'm the one who drove and picked her up from the surgery and I can tell you recovery was not a pretty picture. She had drains in her sides for about a week and she had to wear a special girdle to reduce swelling. It was a few days before she could stand up straight. I'd say it was about two weeks before she wasn't cursing herself for doing it. She tells anyone who asks her that she wishes she had done it sooner...not waited until she was 40! Good Luck and defintely do your research on the doctor you choose. Don't choose your doctor by price! Look at the doctors work and photos of previous patients...your paying for their experience and expertise! When it comes to cosmetic surgery and yourself it is no time to bargain hunt.

I'm looking into getting one. I've lost quite a bit, but still have this nasty belly roll. It's small, but squishy and kinda lumpy looking. (I told you it was nasty ) My abdominal muscles are fine, I just need to get rid of the excess skin and fat.

Even when I was a teen and ran everyday, I had that stupid belly fat. My mom has it (even when she was 105lbs she had some) and my grandmother had it too. Weird.

I'm seriously jealous of anyone with a nice stomach.

i went from 360ish to 190 and had one done - it was the best decision of my life.

this tummy tuck thing sounds very scary :P I am scared of the knife.. would exericsing work? i am so scared too if i lose to my goal weight (that's 80 lbs difference) my tummy skin will be hanging down my knee?

Just do a search - you will find a ton of information as well as before & after pics. I plan on having one done along with a boob lift when I reach my goal!

Ive noticed that my tummy is firming up a little but if I dont start seeing those abs under there (and I know they are there because you can totally feel them when you run my tummy) I am going to get one.

don't get it done if you are planning on getting pregnant! A tummy tuck does not allow your stomach to stretch and will cause complications. Otherwise if you've accepted the risks and cost go for it, I've seen some amazing results.

Thanks everyone. I will be 35 this year and we have had all the kids we are going to have. I have looked at some befores and afters and done some reading. The thing that concerns me the most is the recovery time. I am a stay at home home and I need to be able to take care of my kids. Lifting and that kind of stuff. My husband would be able to stay home for about a week but I would not ask him to do more than that. I will have my consult and see what he says. I think I would rather have my thighs worked on first.

Thanks again,
Kat

I responde to another thread about this yesterday. There is another procudure that might be an option. I had a (guessing at the spelling here) Penekelectmy. It is usualy an outpatient procedure and does not include surgical tightening of the muscles. Basicly you are cut form hip to hip and the "curtin" as my dr called it is pulled down, excess is cut off and you are stiched back up. I was able to move around the next day, very slowly. I did use prescription meds for 2-3 days but I didn't think it was so bad. I did have drain tubes for about a week and you have to wear a guirdle that they put on you as soon as you are stitched up for about 6 weeks. It was a dream come true for me not to have that horrible roll of fat hangin there. I think most dr do some complimentry lipo in combination with this and a tummy tuck. Check out your doctor carefuly, there are some horror stories out there. I need to get my before and after surgery photos on here.

Yeah, those would be my two dream operations if I could choose. But I hate the idea of non-critical surgery, I don't know if I could ever go through with it.

Yeah, I'd love to see those!