[DesertTabby]

Hey guys!

While I appreciate that no one here is a credited plastic surgeon (unless I'm wrong! ) but I was wondering if you can answer a few questions I have about a bad tummy tuck.

Basically I had one done when I was still quite heavy at 180-190 pounds (in the obese range). I knew I had hypothyroidism but figured that would be my permanent weight. I was also still suffering from depression and my synthroid still wasn't adjusted right so basically I jumped the gun and my plastic surgeon was all too happy to cut me up (he performed the surgery less than a week after our initial meeting! Thinking back on this now, while I am in a healthier mindset, I am horrified by how I went through with this. I am usually so incredibly cautious! But...I trusted him. He performed this surgery to nearly all of my extended family members so I believed his words...)

Well the surgery is done, its been two and a half years so far. Unfortunately I still have the loose 'crinkled' skin around my belly button. Under the bellybutton I am sooo smooth and amazing (those two inches before you hit the scar!) And my waist is cinched like a 1940s pinup model. But its killing me that after surgery and after my continual weight loss I STILL can't do much about my stomach...

So my question is how many times can you have the tummy tuck surgery? MTT won't work because my wrinkles are around and above my belly button. I still plan on having another TT post having children (if I ever have them) and well, how much skin can one person have?? I still plan on having a breast lift (no implants) and a possible thigh lift. Depending on my rear end I may end up with a full lower body lift however, would that be a better choice for me to fix my wrinkles?

Please, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. It just hurts to know that I will never have a beach body or can wear shorts above the knee despite all my hard work. I still have to wear control top swimsuits because my oddly lumpy stomach will show through anything else, and I have to wear swim shorts since my thighs are like sculpted cottage cheese...

[bargoo]

I wouldn't do anything , yet if you are planning on having children as pregnancy will cause residual sagginess . I would wait until child bearing days and weight loss days are over before doing another tummy tuck.

[kfs151]

First of all, I agree that there's no way I'd do another TT until you're done having kids.

When you are ready to go ahead, find a surgeon you trust and really talk to him about your options. I'm about 8 weeks post-op on my TT and after considering all my choices, the surgeon and I decided to go with something called a Mercedes scar. It's basically from my breastbone down to my pubic bone (with a circle around my belly button) and then side to side at my hips. This allowed the surgeon to take off A LOT more skin, especially from my sides, etc. that he just couldn't have done otherwise. Given that I'm not about to be jumping into a bikini ever the larger scar was a good trade-off for me for the better results. Not saying this is what you want, just saying the surgeon may be willing to consider alternatives once he knows what is the most important to you.

Good Luck,

[DesertTabby]

Thanks for the feedback guys (and sorry for not responding sooner.)

I guess I'm just disappointed that I won't have a bikini body in my 20s - but that's what I get for jumping the gun; and really its mainly vanity on my part isn't it? But its like despite my weight loss I don't have anything to show for it - arms are too saggy, thighs are too cellulite ridden and full of loose skin too, stomach still wrinkly around my belly button, breasts are pointing to the ground. Its disheartening since I just want to be able to wear shorts and tanktops at least.

And kfs151, I would wear a bikini anyways if I were you! A scar is a scar, its a medal of honor that doesn't get caught in the zipper You should be proud!

[jiffypop]

i dunno tabby - seems to me that you have A LOT to show for your weight loss. when you're done - 80 pounds gone - you should be really proud of yourself. and some parts of you might tighten up over time. often happens, especially when we're younger [and believe me - someone in their 20's is YOUNG!]

chin up, babe, you're doing great!