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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

42 Year Old with 2 Kids. Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift - Colorado, CO

ORIGINAL POST

I have contemplated a tummy tuck for years because...

bigdecisionMay 5, 2014
WORTH IT$13,000
I have contemplated a tummy tuck for years because of the wrinkly skin about my belly button and the notion that I feel 3 months pregnant after every time I eat a meal. I have tried VelaShape with no luck and have been told liposuction would just make my tummy look worse. I have had two appointments with a board certified plastic surgeon, and he says I would have a typical tummy tuck with NO muscle repair and a scar hip to hip with a vertical scar as well from the old belly button. After looking at my photos.. is this just fat I need to continue to burn off or is there truly excess skin too? The surgeon said NO muscle repair needed twice but that he would do it if he found that I needed it once in surgery. I don't work out as much as I should but I am still in good shape overall. I'm pretty happy with the way my stomach looks in the morning but looks worse as the ay goes. I am 5'4 and 136 lbs. Am I crazy?? Is a tummy tuck not right for me??? Should I just live with the muffin top and be happy with what I have? Thanks for any advice!!!

bigdecision's provider

Steven Vath, MD

Steven Vath, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 341 Reviews
PROFILE

bigdecision rating for Dr. Vath:

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Replies (20)

T79
May 6, 2014
In my experience i would be flat in the morning and then look 3 month pregnant at the end of the day because i had muscle separation. Here is an easy way to see if you have diastasis recti http://www.sharecare.com/health/labor-delivery-post-partum-period-of-pregnancy/how-can-tell-diastasis-recti
bigdecision
May 7, 2014
Thank you for your comment. The doctor performed this process with me and said there was little separation. Hmmm?? That's what I'm debating. Lose as much weight possible to see what is fat versus skin before going through such a major procedure. Thanks again
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Dream Cruiser
June 3, 2014
Hi big decision, OMG....you sound just like me! I have my first consult with Dr Vath on Friday....the 6th. I am so nervous, but also know that he is the best TT doc around. I have also researched the DR, to save a little. The advantage to being at home though will be the support from my husband. I have no idea what I am going to do yet, am waiting for Friday to arrive, and then decide. Oh....and my sweet hubby is going to meet Dr Vath with me!!! Keep us all posted as you move forward. BTW, my friends and co workers have no idea....they would never ever understand. I am so happy to have found RS....a great support to have!
bigdecision
June 4, 2014
I hope your consult goes great! Just be sure to ask all the questions you really want to ask. I was so nervous that I blanked on asking more questions. Dr. Vath was my second consult and it still baffles me that his thoughts about what I should have done is different than the first consult. UGH! I decided to go with Dr. Vath based on all the great reviews and happy women on this site. It really does bum me out that I can't feel comfortable in telling my family and other important people in my life. I have only three people who know about my plans for TT. As you said... so happy to communicate with people who understand on this site!! My hubby will meet Dr. Vath at our pre-op appt as I need him to meet him and I want to ask those final questions with him before going under. Please keep us posted. I will be so curious how your appt will go :)
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Dream Cruiser
June 4, 2014
I will keep you up to date after my consult. I have a list of questions, will take my list so I don't forget or be distracted.
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meadowlark2007
May 7, 2014
I had the same exact questions. I did a consult with Dr. Vath in Cherry Creek and asked him to be brutally honest with me. I told him that if more diet and exercise were the key to having a flatter tummy, I would commit more than I already had (I work out hard 5 days a week and eat clean). He was so sweet and kind and reassured me that no amount of exercise or diet could fix my diastasis and only surgery could. He also said that learning to love my body "as is" was an option too. He is a father of 3 young kids and his wife hasn't opted to do a TT. So there was no pressure at all from him. And that gave me the freedom to stop beating myself up and go for it. I have one life, I wanna feel as good about myself as I can. And I'm glad I did it. Dr. Vath is the best in Colorado. Check him out.
bigdecision
May 7, 2014
Thanks so much. I will check him out! I am not committed either way to this procedure yet... it took me months before I felt I could even post here :) I have one friend who has had a tummy tuck and told me how grueling of an experience it was, one friend considering it, and all of my close friends and family have no idea I am even considering this procedure. They would think I am nuts. My husband is on board with whatever I decide. I think I get most stuck with that I am not overweight and my wrinkly skin isn't that bad compared to other pics I have seen on the Web. Hard for me to decide what is worse right now.. .the scar and the experience or a potential flat tummy again with no wrinkles. Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.
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meadowlark2007
May 7, 2014
While it's no walk in the park, I wouldn't call it grueling. And the scar will fade. I am very fair and my scars fade easy to white and nearly invisible. The right surgeon will make sure that your scar is as minimal as possible. Good luck.
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ysalkeld
January 3, 2015
I'm late to the conversation:) (just had my TT w MR about two weeks ago. and all my surgeon kept saying was how I WAS the perfect candidate bc it wasn't about weight loss (5'4" @118) I had gone as far as I could through diet and exercise. the rest was due to 3 all belly pregnancies and 3 c sections. You and I have a very similar body type. It was frustrating to suck in as much as I did all day (plus the 3-5 days a week of exercising just to be asked when I was due on the off times I "letter loose:)" I'm excited to read about your progress as you are a few months ahead of me! I think you look fantastic!
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GeorgeTT2014
May 7, 2014
I honestly wouldn't get a TT if you don't need MR. Recovery is different for everyone, but it has been a long 6 weeks for me since mine. And, only worth it because I had a 4" muscle separation and a 4" overhang of extra skin. One way you can tell if it's your diet, is to do an eating plan like Whole30. It eliminates a lot of the foods that make us bloat and feel like crap. It also will help you be a lean machine. After 30 days of eating healthfully, you'll have a good idea if your tummy issues are correctable without surgery. In my case I lost 30 pounds and the tummy issues didn't change one bit.
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meadowlark2007
May 7, 2014
I think the recovery from a TT with MR is definitely a different animal. That's what I had done after my twin pregnancy and it's definitely exhausting. Yet, I've read lots of reviews of women who had a TT to remove extra skin without the MR and their recovery seems easier and they are also extremely happy with their results as well. You might check out reviews of women who have a similar situation as yours.
bigdecision
May 8, 2014
Thanks for your comment. Do you know how I can post what I have for the doctors on this site to give some feedback as well? Part of me is wondering if I should work out hard for a couple of months and see what I feel like with those results. That would mean I would postpone any surgery until next summer.
bigdecision
May 8, 2014
That helps too. I'll take a look and I guess it will boil down to preference. The possible long scar or the wrinkly skin and pooch. I can't say that my doc discussed if I should try to lose more weight or not to know what my figure would look like without the surgery.
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GeorgeTT2014
May 8, 2014
There is an "ask a doctor" section. Post your pics and question there. It takes a few days to post and a few more days to get answers. And, honestly working out really hard won't change things as much as changing your eating habits. The 30 pounds I lost didn't happen the 9 months I spent training for a half marathon. It changed happened when I drastically changed how I are. Basically paleo for 30 days... The weight flew off me. That will help you see if your abdomen can change with surgery or not.
bigdecision
May 9, 2014
It's worth a shot. I am gluten free and eat limited dairy and sugar just because it makes me feel icky. There was a very stressful time in my life two years ago when I lost 20 pounds. I did get to see a dramatic difference in my entire body but not one I would like to repeat... loose skin on my face and the loose skin on my tummy didn't go away but I didn't quite have that muffin top. Perhaps I'll pose questions to the doctors and I should probably go for a second opinion; however, the doc I saw is the most recommended by patients and others in the medical field in my area. Ugh... just such a big decision!!
bigdecision
May 10, 2014
I thought I posted my pics and questions up for docs to see as well but can't find it anywhere. Do you typically get a notice that it successfully uploaded? Every day I contemplate this procedure and at this moment I'm just getting real cod feet because I would need to be back at work three weeks after the procedure. Is it too daunting to only have your husband and maybe one other friend help out after the surgery? Unfortunately, my family would not understand why I would put myself through this. Thanks!
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meadowlark2007
May 13, 2014
I wanted to tell you that I don't think getting any skinnier will change your belly. You could make yourself crazy trying to get skinny but I don't think you'll feel better. Dr. Vath told me he does TT's on women who weigh 100lbs. It's not about weight. It's about skin and muscles. Go for the consult. He'll be honest with you.
bigdecision
May 13, 2014
Thank you! I appreciate your support and advise. Calling tommorrow to schedule consult. If nothing else a second opinion is what I should do. I am bummed though I wanted to have the surgery this summer because I would have more recovery time. Now my family is coming into town the week I had hoped for and I cannot tell them what I am doing. I suppose everything happens for a reason and I'll keep my options open. Thanks again!!!
T79
May 24, 2014
I agree with you meadowlark2001. I was only 113 lbs when i had my tt. My stomach muscles bulged esp after i ate and no amount of weight loss was going to change that!
UPDATED FROM bigdecision
2 months pre

Interesting how no two doctors are alike...

bigdecisionMay 24, 2014
I went for my second consultation with Dr. Vath, and I thought it was interesting, informational and worth the long drive. Dr. Vath showed me several pictures of before and afters and discussed his philosophy and reasoning for how he handles his procedures. I let him know that my first doctor said I didn't need muscle repair. Even without examining me he suggested that I would not be happy with my results without proper muscle repair and would be very surprised if I didn't need it. After he examined me, he confirmed that I would need muscle repair mostly from the bowing of the muscles... not the separation of muscles. How interesting. He couldn't believe that the first doc would not have repaired my muscles. He then showed me a pic of a woman who had not had her muscles repaired... and then the after when he had fixed them. Scary how opinions can be so different from two reputable doctors. Now... I am in a holding pattern because I'm nervous to go through such a major surgery with muscles repaired and be back at work in about two and half weeks. Is that even reasonable? My timeline is short.. meaning I only have a small window this summer to make it all happen. If not.. I have to wait until next summer. UGH! I don't even feel I can tell many people because my friends and family would think I am crazy for wanting to go through this procedure. When I have mentioned it to three people that I trust, they just say I'm more fit than most people so I don't need it. Am I too vain for wanting this? Would I really not see must of a result because I don't have lot of loose skin? I suppose I can only make this decision but it's SOOOO hard! Plus... curious.. and I know this is a vain question... but did anyone else start questioning other parts of their body... what about the buldge above my bra on my back? What about that extra buldge above the knee... are my breasts needing a lift. Seriously.. this questioning can be maddening. So, I am ready to just make up my mind, schedule the surgery, prep for going back to work and never look back. Thanks for letting me vent here.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM bigdecision
1 month pre

I have a new surgery date

bigdecisionJune 3, 2014
Although I'm still on the fence if this is what I should go through this summer, I have actually scheduled my TT surgery for July 17th with Dr. Vath. Crazy!! I sooo appreciate reading everyone's journey as it brings me comfort and reality. I appreciate your honestly with pain, swelling, sleeping (or lack there of), mood swings, infections... all that can wrong and can go right. Bottom line... I'm still scared to bits.

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