Tummy Tuck: Stories
Write a Review3 Months Post-op I Can Finally Say It Was Worth It
- PM in Cali
- posted 3 years ago
- updated 3 years ago
- Worth It
- Cost: $8,500
- Joel Beck, MD (Bay Area, CA)
I was always a healthy weight but after having a...
- 19 Nov 2009
I was always a healthy weight but after having a baby at 35 I just couldn't get my flat stomach back, so at 40 decided to undergo TT.
Now three months later I'm having no regrets, although the recovery has been a long road. I don't know if there's a proper medical term to describe it, but essentially a portion of the flap (about an inch in diameter) right above the incision failed to close completely. My doctor removed all the tissue, going about a half-inch deep below the skin surface, in order to promote tissue growth and healing. So basically up until now I've been walking around with an open wound but it is finally closed up and it doesn't appear so far that there will be any permanent scarring. I was told that my results are extremely rare (wouldn't you know it had to be me) and while more aggressive action could have been taken to deal with it my doctor encouraged me to give it time to see what my body could do on its own. That turned out to be the best advice - looking back on it, of course it was not fun to deal with it for 3 months but I'm very happy with the end result.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from having a TT done although I would recommend having expectations that are as realistic as possible. A good doctor will give you that dose of reality and prepare you for the possibility of a slow and/or difficult recovery.
Great review?
My Doctor: Joel Beck, MD
My rating:
After having been through a difficult recovery I can recommend my doctor without hesitation. He was straightforward and honest, with a very good bedside manner. I'd venture a guess that some doctors, when confronted with a problem like the one I had, might get defensive about it. My doctor gave me all the time and all the options I needed and acknowledged that my quality of life was suffering for awhile. I trust him implicitly and am so grateful for the care he provided.
Sorry to hear your recovery was rough and that you had to deal with unexpected conditions. I got a tummy tuck and breast implants three weeks ago from Dr. B as well, and he is so wonderful! I love my results. I'll be posting my own review within a few days...glad to see that other patients of his have written a review on this site.