Stanley Harper, MD

This is a great question!  With a tummy tuck you can expect your lower abdominal stretch marks to be removed.  You will still have the stretch marks above your belly button but they will look different after surgery.  When you meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss surgery have them show you before and after pictures so you can get a better idea of what you can expect after surgery. 

This is a great question!  Having an abdominoplasty after C-section is a commonly performed procedure.  In fact, there is a good possibility that the abdominoplasty can get rid of your prior C-section scars.  I would recommend meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to decide if you are an appropriate surgical candidate.

This is a great question!  Yes, surgical removal of the skin via a tummy tuck is the only way to remove excess skin.  While your pictures are helpful it is best to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to determine if you are an appropriate surgical candidate. 

Thank you for your question.  The answer to this question is something that only you can answer.  They are two different procedures that address somewhat different concerns.  You need to decide what is your area of concern and what you would be happy doing.  

Jaime Harper10:00 AM (1 hour ago)me Great question!  It can take up to one year for minimal swelling, tightness and tugging to resolve after a tummy tuck.  If you are concerned about the symptoms I would recommend seeing your surgeon so they can confirm that your symptoms are appropriate.

I would recommend consulting with your plastic surgeon regarding the best surgical garment to wear in the post operative period.  Your surgeon would know exactly what type of procedure you had and can therefore customize the recommendation.  This is probably a question that can be answered by your surgeon's office over the phone. 

Based on the pictures that you have submitted, you may be an appropriate candidate for an abdominoplasty.  I would recommend doing an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area.  It is usually best to make a surgical decision after you have been examined in person as sometime pictures don't tell the entire story. 

While in my practice I am okay with a patient using Motrin seven weeks post op. I would recommend calling your surgeon's office.  Each surgeon has their own protocol but it is likely a question the office staff could easily answer this for you. 

You would need medical clearance in order to undergo an abdominoplasty, which is an elective cosmetic procedure.  One of the variables would be the type of pancreatitis you have and if it is a currently active medical issue or something you have had in the past.  I would recommend discussing this with your primary care doctor first. If they feel you can be medically cleared for surgery then you can meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

The use of drains is surgeon and patient specific.  Drains help to collect fluid that may accumulate in the post operative period.  Depending on your body habitus and how much fat was removed, your surgeon will make the individualized decision on if a drain should be used or not.