Tummy tucks and other stuff

[JustAskJulie]

I've considered getting lyposuction on my thighs... it's the one place I've never been able to really slim down. Even when I weighed 107lbs I still had huge thighs and because of them never really felt as small as I was. So I'm considering it again, once I lose the weight I'm working to lose. I figure that way I'll actually fit in the size clothes I should fit in, rather than having to go a size up on jeans just to accomodate my thighs.

So my question, how many of you have had cosmetic surgery of this sort, whether it be liposuction or a tummy tuck or something else? And why did you choose to have it? Do you regret it? What did you look for in a surgeon? How did you find him? Would you do it again?

[good times]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

So my question, how many of you have had cosmetic surgery of this sort, whether it be liposuction or a tummy tuck or something else? And why did you choose to have it?

I haven't, but Mrs. GT had Liposuction 4 or 5 years ago. She had it for pretty much the same reason you give she would diet to the point of being under weight but still had some curves and bulges in the wrong places that wouldn't go away.

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

Do you regret it?

If you had asked her that right after the surgery she probably would have said no, but now that the pain has subsided she says it is the best thing she ever did. I can tell you that it had a tremendous effect on her self image and confidence.

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

What did you look for in a surgeon? How did you find him?

We are lucky their, our area is kind of a meca for plastic surgeons. She checked around and mainly decided based on word of mouth recomendations and consultations.

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

Would you do it again?

I think she would, she is sufering with a cold right now and hasn't been on in a few days but when she is up to it I will point her to this thread and I'm sure she will have more to add.

[mfbmfantasycple]

My wife had reconstructive surgery 1 week ago - she had a single breast masectomy 1 year ago - followed by chemo/radiation. The 10 hour surgery included a full tummy tuck and relocation of skin, flesh to the missing breast area. Performed at one of the countries premier teaching hospitals - at least the best in the midwest. Anyway, she spent the first two nights afterwards in the burn centers ICU - skin grafts, flesh relocation issues the same I'm told. By the way, the doctors and nurses working that self contained unit are the finest, the absolute finest I have ever seen. She has been home for 3 days now and is essentially on best rest - two drains coming out of her still. The surgeon was almost giddy with how well the surgery went, checked his data base - "fastest Tramflap he's ever done" - 10 hrs! We have 3 small kods and she cannot be left alone with them. We were promised a slow 4-5 week recovery so its par for the course. She said initially if she knew it would be this tough she would have said no - but that's not true. I told repeatedly that it didnl't matter the least bit to me - I was always prodding her for fun and games over the last year and she was amazed at my who cares attitude given one of her beautiful, bountiful breasts was gone. I told her it was her mind and attitude that always got me revved up and damn if it wasn't true. She did this for herself - I believe to feel "whole" again and has looked forward to this mental "end of a phase" for 12 months now - she would do it again I'm sure. 2 mths from now she has a 3 hr, much easier, surgery so to make the 37 yr old breast match the 19 yr old puppy slapped on last week. And to think the insurance company covers the whole thing! Seriously, from what she's been through, its only the start of what she deserves.

She said several months ago as we held hands during chemo that she could not wait for this operation and the wild sex she wanted thereafter. Go for it honey and don't back down! So, per her life long fantasy, call us MFBMFANTASYCPLE (in the making anyway)! We'll see if we/she are really suited for the lifestyle soon enough. Sorry for all the detail, but I feel like I am in therapy - its been a tough year...

[Miss_Piggy]

wow. what a story! I'm glad to hear you wife is on what sounds like the tail end of a tough adventure.
Good luck to you both!

[Vespertine]

Originally Posted by mfbmfantasycple

Seriously, from what she's been through, its only the start of what she deserves.

Aw, how sweet. I'm sure you two feel lucky to have eachother.

Sorry that you two had to go through this experience. I admire the support you're giving her and think it's wonderful that you're eager to indulge in her fantasies!

[mfbmfantasycple]

Thanks to both of you for the messages. She's been amazingly positive the whole time. Women are indeed much stronger than men - here's to her, my hero.

[graygo98]

She's a heroine for sure... but don't sell yourself short. I cannot begin to imagine, and selfishly hope I never find out, how strong you have had to be also.

All the very best!

[mrs good times]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

So my question, how many of you have had cosmetic surgery of this sort, whether it be liposuction or a tummy tuck or something else? And why did you choose to have it? Do you regret it? What did you look for in a surgeon? How did you find him? Would you do it again?

As Mr. GT said I had lipo about 5 years ago. The reason was because I was happy with my weight but not with my shape. My abdomen protruded like I was 4 mo. pregnant and the fat around my knees made me look knock kneed. This is genetic and my mother and sister have the same attributes. I felt the need to cover my stomach and where long skirts to feel ok about myself.

I read several books on the procedures and them met with 3 different surgeons. The surgeon I picked was amazing. He stood me in front of a mirror naked and pulled at parts of my body to show me what he could do for me. He took about an hour with us explaining his qualifications and I also noticed drawings on the walls and they were his. I had read about looking for artistic talent in a surgeon and I have to say that was one of the things that swayed my choice.

As for the surgery itself it was about $5,000.00 but I had alot more done than I had orginally planned. He flattened my stomach and reshaped my waist to match, shaped my thighs (which gave me a great butt, it was kind of flat before) and removed the fat around my knees. The surgery was out patient and took about 3 hours. They fill the body, under the skin, with fluid and then make incisions about the size of a dime and suck out the fat. Afterwards they wrapped me in thick cotton matieral and over that a suit made of lycra. I was under local anesthesia and because we had this done in Lake Tahoe we stayed in a motel after the surgery so I could return for my follow up visit the next day. Mr. GT was great, he had to walk me every two hours so the fluid would drain. It was November and cold and snowing outside. I didn't feel a thing but the poor guy froze.

I took 5 days off from work and had to return for several follow up appointments. The most difficult part was wearing the lycra suit for a month. Because they seperate the skin from the fat this suit must be worn to reattach the skin evenly. The suit started just under the boobs and went clear down to mid calf (it was crotchless though). It had to be worn 23 hours a day. I had to sleep on my back only for the first week and that was hard for me. The other uncomfortable part is the Zingers from your nerves reconnecting. It feels like your skin is on fire but massages are very helpful in relieving the sensation.

Would I do it again? Up to a year after I would have said NO WAY but now I would say ABSOLUTELY because of the results. It takes about 6 months to really see the outcome of the surgery so It's difficult to experience all the pain and not have an instant change in your appearance. I am very happy I had it done and I think the surgeon was terrific. His ability to invision and create with human fat amazes me. The shopping spree afterwards because I went from a size 12 pants to a size 7 was fun too.

The caution is you must maintain your weight. The surgeon advised me not to lose weight before the surgery. Fat cells do not reproduce they get bigger and smaller so once they are gone they will not make more. When I gain 10 lbs now my butt gets bigger because it was an untouched area and it is noticable. At the time of the surgery I weighed 160 lbs and I am 5' 7". During my last visit the surgeon suggested my ideal weight would be 150 lbs and now was the time to drop the extra weight. I did and remain at the weight today.

[SnozzberryBlu]

Julie,
I have not had a tummy tuck YET... but it, and a little lipo is on the agenda the minute we can afford it lol...

That aside, my mother had a tummy tuck I think in 1987. She had had three kids, one cesarean (up and down, not bikini cut) and the tissue between her "six pack" muscles had seperated to the point that no amount of sit ups and dieting could fix. From as ealy as I can remember, my mother looked perfectly fine with the exception of belly that looked 7 mos pregnant. Her self esteem was zilch (my asshole father did little to help that, but that is ANOTHER story lol).

In her divorce settlement he had to pay for the surgery (what beautiful irony!). Even with the procedure being relatively new here at that time, and with the limited choice in surgeons in the area, she came out with great results. She went from stetchmark central to totally flat, totally smooth, totally beautiful tummy. She did have a small complication and a drain tube was inserted for a week or two after. The resulting scar from that was very tiny. While mom was never a complainer, I do think had the pain after been really severe and long lasting, she would have said something.

After remarrying a man who LOVED to eat, she did put on a bit more weight (nothing tremendous). Her hiney got a little larger, etc.. but her tummy always seemed to retain that original taughtness. She never did situps, etc. afterwards, so I have no idea if she could have obtained a six pack.. but her tummy was definitely sexy.

She passed away several years ago, so I can only speak from what I remember. I don't think I ever asked her if she was happy with the results... I just assumed it because her self esteem had taken such an upward turn, and she became very proud of her new wardrobe... dressing sexy but classy (something she had never been able to do before). She positively glowed... and she deserved it (as asshole deserved that nice little bill too lol!).

So... I know the field has advanced tremendously since that time, and I know that our pool of surgeons here has grown. My confidence in this procedure is very high, and I cannot wait to have it done. As is, even if I could get a completely flat tummy, I would still have extra skin and stretch marks for days.

Question for anyone who knows: I don't remember mom saying she had to lose any weight before the tummy tuck.. though I have seen that on the makeover shows. Does anyone know how much weight a doctor requires someone to lose first?

HTH,
Snozz

[mfbmfantasycple]

My wife weighed 150 lbs before her surgery 11 days ago. She wasn't requiired to loss any prior to. She still has two drains, though they finally appear to be lessening to a mite trickle. Pain is low-moderate, but she hasn't gotten out of her pjs since coming home. Her's was a tramflap procedure, so more than just a tummy tuck - but the tummy part is no walk in the park. The doc did promise her the flattest tummy in the neighborhood though. When the dust settlles, she is going to be very happy with the results. Good luck.

[JustAskJulie]

Thanks all for the feedback on this so far, I'm learning a lot.

So they suggest that you get the surgery first then lose weight? Perhaps I should look into this sooner than I thought. I'm in the process of losing weight now. I've lost about 25lbs in the last 6 months or so and still have about 20 more to hit my goal. How did it affect your ability to exercise? I assume you only have to weare the lycra suit over the areas you have done... so if I just had thighs done it would probably be like biker shorts that I'd have to wear?

[looking2swing]

A few years ago, I had a breast reduction. It was the best thing that I ever could have done. I feel more confident, that people look at me and not my breasts. (Unless I want them too ). I feel that if plastic surgery is the answer that you are looking for, GO FOR IT. Go to several different surgeons, have an evaluation and look at their before and after pictures. Some will even let you contact previous patients to ask about their procedure and recovery. Best of luck to you.

[JustAskJulie]

When I had Lasik, that was one thing that sold me on my surgeon (aside from the fact that he was pretty much the only one locally who did it.. other than a guy who came in once a week from Detroit)... but he gave me a list of previous patients that had agreed to be contacted. They also had a book in the lobby full of letters from patients, not all were perfect, some had to return for second or third surgeries but it gave a really good overview of what to expect. I really liked that. I was one of the lucky ones in that I came out with pretty much immidate 20/20 vision and it's actually slightly better than that now, with no complications. I was told by an eye dr I saw more recently that if more people had the results I had he'd reccomend it more often... then again I think it had a lot to do with the dr... I've heard some not so good things about the Lasik drs down here.

[good times]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

So they suggest that you get the surgery first then lose weight?

Yea, that was surpirsing to us but after he explained the reasoning to us it made sense. I would suggest going in for a consultation which is usually free as soon as you can because if I remember right he told Mrs. GT that she should be at a weight she could maintain easily before the surgery. He also suggested what her optimum weight should be with her body shape and it was actually a little higher than we thought at the time. After she recovered from her surgery it was obvious that he was right on.

The surgeon we chose also had a book with lots of pictures in it. Some of the before and after pictures were amazing. It also isn't uncommon to have to go back for a touchup later and they usually have a reduced rate for that included in your original package. Mrs. GT's came out perfect the first time so we didn't have to experiance that.

[negacpl]

I had a full tummy tuck about 4 years ago. I did it because after 2 C-Sections, I always had that little extra pooch in my tummy. I do not regret it. Would I do it again, most likely. The only down side with a tummy tuck is that is where they take from should you ever need breast reconstruction due to mastectomy or something else. That is something I will have to deal with should it ever arise.

Would I consider Lypo??? Sure thing. I am for anything that makes a Lady feel sexy.

When looking for a surgeon, look for 1 that is board certified, comes recommended, and you have a good repore with. Someone who listens to what you want and gives you recommendations. Someone who has past patients that are happy with thier results.

With a tummy tuck you will have a scar. I have one hip to hip. And one around my belly button where I was given a new one, because of the tuck and also because I had a hernia. I have only had 1 experience where the male half of the couple kept questioning me about it and telling me how surgery with scars of any kind turned him off. Oh well, I've had kids, 2 of them by C-section and I have scars, and proud of them. Needless to say we never played with them.