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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

My tummy tuck journey.. that ended up with me needing a FULL revision.

Name: My tummy tuck journey.. that ended up with me needing a FULL revision.
Item: Debra Ann Reilly-Culver
Rating: 2
Author: ChangedSpirit

ORIGINAL POST

After losing 121 pounds I was left with unsightly...

ChangedSpiritJune 14, 2013

After losing 121 pounds I was left with unsightly excess skin. I was very fortunate that insurance paid for my tummy tuck because if I had paid for this with the results I have I'd be even more devastated. I know it's early still to judge.. but as it stands I fear that revision will be my future.. and at a cost.. hopefully I'll be able to afford it... out of all I've been through.. I just wanted a nice stomach.. now I feel as hideous as I did pre-op.. with a huge scar for nothing. I'm not even flat.. I look pregnant.

ChangedSpirit's provider

Debra Ann Reilly-Culver

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

ChangedSpirit rating for Dr. Reilly-Culver:

Overall rating

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Answered my questions

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Replies (12)

Noodles86

June 15, 2013

Honestly from all I've seen, read, heard, and learned you have swelling that will go down after a while. I've seen people take a year for all swelling to stop. I think you look amazing though. As far as the belly button if it upsets you talk to your doctor but I think it's all cute. Did you have lipo tummy tuck with flank lipo?

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

She said I had some lipo.. honestly not sure where because I haven't noticed any marks or bruising at all on my body!

Noodles86

June 15, 2013

I forgot to mention congrats on the weight loss. I'm scheduled for a full tt with lipo of upper abs and flanks in July on the 11th. Look me up to see my before pictures and after once I have surgery. Also I pray my scar looks like yours cause it's truly the best I've seen yet and trust me I've been researching for a while!

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

Thanks! :) Good luck with yours!

emn

June 15, 2013

please do not judge so fast. everything changes in time. wear your compression garment. be sure it is a good one! drink water.you are really jumping the gun with your quick evaluation of yourself. ask the PS about your bellybutton. did you have full muscle plication?

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

All I do is drink water. :) I wear my compression garments 24/7. Trying to be patient. I had mid region muscle tightening.. or I think that's what it's called!

emn

June 15, 2013

i am curious as to why insurance paid. they never pay for cosmetic surgery. it had to be for a medical reason. perhaps that reason is responsible for excess swelling? but swelling is to be expected, and sometimes lots of it.

Noodles86

June 15, 2013

I know I totally wish insurance would cover mine after 4 pregnancies! They will cover if you have had weight loss surgery usually ie: gastric bypass or bariatric.

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

They paid for it because I got chronic rashes from the excess skin and had a hernia as well.

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

I'm also a little over a year out from gastric bypass along with the rashes and hernia.

emn

June 15, 2013

by the way, laser is not expensive, and is an option for scars ,stretch marks, etc

UPDATED FROM ChangedSpirit

16 days post

Patience

ChangedSpiritJune 15, 2013

Need to remind myself I'm really still early post-op. I wrote the original review after a bunch of crying and was upset. I've seen worse TT's.. I'm thankful for what I have. I just wish my belly button didn't have the lines/extra skin around it. Hopefully if it doesn't improve after the swelling goes away.. there will be some sort of treatment option for me to achieve the belly button I want.. and to remove the wrinkled skin right below the belly button/around my vertical scar.

Replies (4)

Ruebix

June 15, 2013

Hi JessMmmkay, did you have a hard time standing straight up after you got your TT?

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

At first yes. I'm still slightly hunched over but not much.

silverspring_mom

June 15, 2013

still early stage, did you have a full tt or just a mini? did you have MR ? good luck sis, the scar look pretty good

ChangedSpirit

June 15, 2013

Full with MR. Thanks.

UPDATED FROM ChangedSpirit

16 days post

Bought a bikini..

ChangedSpiritJune 16, 2013

Actually not minding what I see in the picture (as far as my belly is concerned at least lol)
Can't wait till next spring when I get my BL/BA!

Replies (6)

sarav59

June 16, 2013

You look good.. As you heal you will like your results better.. Changes happen pretty much every week.

Ruebix

June 21, 2013

JessMmmkay, how have you been? Feeling better? :)

ChangedSpirit

June 21, 2013

Quite a bit! :) I'm actually getting ready to make an update with some pictures. Still working on not judging it too much yet. ♥

ChangedSpirit

June 21, 2013

Update up! ♥

Ruebix

June 21, 2013

You are looking great! I think that is swelling- it happens to me, too. TT is such a shock to our systems, all the tissues and vessels, that it just blows us up for awhile. Even my incision skin gets swollen and lumpy, especially at night ( which always freaks me out because I worry it'll stay puffy). I'm glad to see your update! I can't wait for the 6 month mark!