Full Tummy Tuck - Port Charlotte, FL

The first thing you need to do before even considering this procedure is focus on your health.   You definitely need to stop smoking before jumping into this.  That can really complicate and hamper your healing process.  It's just really dangerous.  Risk of blood clots, poor healing of the wounds, and a hole lot of other very scary things.

As far as the weight goes most surgeons want you to be within 15-20 pounds of your ideal healthy weight for optimal results. 

With this procedure comes a very long and hard recovery.  You really need to be in tip top shape and ready to tackle this one head on.  I am not trying to scare you or be a Debbie Downer but only want you to have the facts. 

I have attached some links which contain some really good info.

http://www.realself.com/question/smoking-plastic-surgery

http://www.realself.com/question/tummy-tuck-weight-loss-goal

http://www.realself.com/question/plastic-surgery-patients-who-smoke

http://www.realself.com/question/cosmetic-plastic-surgery-how-does-smoking-affect-healing-scarring

http://www.realself.com/question/symptoms-skin-necrosis-tummy-tuck

http://www.realself.com/question/would-tummy-tuck-be-best-me

hi kimmers 25..thank you for the links my husband and i quit smoking 2 days ago and doing ok go for a consult on sat 7-16 in miami and found out all the plates and rods in my body are almost 15lbs. and ive been dieting and lost 6 pds. in aweek and a half...so hope to lose 15 more. what does it mean if the fat is under the muscle or on top of it? thats what hes checking on sat.??? so nervious and cant smoke and since i quit smoking i am moving surgery up to last week of sept. hopefully the first week is the worst cause my mouth is tired from chewing gum!!!

First let me say congratulations on stopping the smoking.  That is a very hard task to accomplish but the health benefits will pay off.  You will be glad in the long run.  Not to mention all of the money you will save. 

And also the weight loss!  Wow you are like Super Woman taking everything on at once.  Keep chewing that gum and it will help you through. 

Drink lots of water to flush your system out.  That will also help curb the hunger pains.  Also try suckers or blow pops.  They taste good and help you through the worst cravings.

Generally fat under the muscle is what you need to loose with diet.  And the fat on top of the muscle is the areas they are able to lipo.  See what your doctor says about that. 

Keep me up to date on how you are doing.  And if you need some support to help you through any of this process please just ask.  I am here:)

Hi Fort,

Let me be honest (with no harm intended)... it does look like you swallowed a bowling ball! It is clear to see that that poor tummy of yours is not porportionate to the rest of your body. And also, in all honestly, you can work your little tail off (w/o pre-existing limitations), but there is no way that tummy will shrink to your frame... and you're only 44yrs young.

I have no medical knowledge, but in my humble opinion, with some personal experience/perspective, I say go for that FTT! Sounds like you have had mummy-tummy for 3/4 of your life, and sounds like you have endured a lot that took a great deal of perseverence... you deserve to "see your crotch" -LOL Not to mention, you will feel like a super model!

As for smoking... EEP! As taboo as it is in everyday life, it's thrice fold in the tummy tuck world. But, I promise you, you are not alone! After 20+ years of smoking (and many failed attempts at quitting), I quit pre-surgery. It was one of the toughest things I ever did, and has been the hardest "quit" yet. Trying to quit at a time of high anxiety and stress, and while trying to skim off all extra pounds, was extremely difficult! ...and keeping quit ONLY for the sake of surgery takes massive will power :(
But in graver reality, the risks of smoking with a TT are insane! Now THAT would be a complete waste of money. (Please research necrosis.) I am 5 months nico-free, and I still miss it daily... but the TT, for me, finally became MORE important.

I agree with Kimmers... stay focused, you will get there. Best wishes :)

OMG!! Fot, it is gonna be sooo tough -no lie! But I send you strength, you CAN do this!! Just keep telling yourself what is of utmost importance in your life. You are having the TT for YOU --you gotta quit for YOU! ...easier said than done...I sooo know! I gain 10lbs almost as soon as I quit smoking, each and every time. And I am miserable already, then I feel fat, and I just keep stuffing my face... til I get fed up and start smoking again. It's a vicious cycle, but I think I may have it figured out this time LOL. I had my TT Apr 4th and my PS actually refused to do it if I was still smoking. I actually considered lying to him, but I couldn't handle the "what if". What if I spend all this time and money and emotion, and I botch it over cigs? What if I get necrosis and I am the only one to blame for an irrepairable tummy? Anyway, PS said smoke free for min 6 wks before and 4 wks after surge... I started quitting in Dec, but I couldn't break my 2 cigs/day (before n after work in car) until Feb... the very day of 6 weeks prior! And let me add, I had all intentions of starting again in May... but I didn't... YAY me!!
I can relate to your (nico-inducing) stresses as well. I was dealing with some heavy child and husband issues pre-op as well. I had to remind myself hourly why I was quitting, how important TT was to me, and tell myself that it was only temporary...I've been through worse shiz in life...As I'm sure you have too.
Stay strong Girl! I'm here for ya :)