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CLAIM YOUR PROFILEThis is a great question and really depends on you. In general, liposuction is better for those with mostly excess fat and good skin elasticity. Tummy tucks, on the other hand, are designed to manage both excess skin and fat, although results are best when there isn’t a lot of excess fat. The underlying musculature also plays a role, so if you’ve had children or previously gained a lot of abdominal weight that stretched the abdominal muscles, liposuction alone won’t tighten them. Muscle tightening is done during the tummy tuck, kind of like an “internal girdle.”
Most of my patients in their 50-60’s are better served with a tummy tuck, but there are exceptions – that’s where a consultation with your plastic surgeon comes in. With the right procedure for you, you should be very pleased. Best wishes!
~Dr. Lovelle
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
I applaud you for taking your results and your health into your own hands. The best way to safely lose weight in that time period is to restrict your processed carbohydrates (bread, cookies, chips, etc.) increase your fresh vegetable, fruit, and water intake, eat healthy fats (olive and coconut oils, for instance) and avoid fried foods and soda/sweetened drinks. In addition to this, try some fun activities such as a dance class and begin light weight lifting. And get lots of sleep – it’s amazing what a difference that makes.
Keep in mind that you can’t really determine where the fat will come from - you will lose fat from your abdomen as well. The other important thing is that you want to attain a weight that you can maintain after surgery. The good thing about the suggestions above are that they are easily incorporated into your lifestyle…no need to change post surgery. Best of luck!
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Thank you for your question. Yes, a breast lift would be an excellent solution for achieving perkier breasts without losing volume or a natural-appearing breast shape. This would definitely involve moving your nipple to a higher position, and making your areolae smaller would be done as part of that process.
Given the amount of droop that you have, if the entire lift is performed with just an areolar incision, it is likely that you would have a more “purse-string” appearance around the nipple. I would suggest a second incision, either vertically or in the inframammary fold to achieve the most natural appearance. Keep in mind, though, that no matter what technique you use, time and gravity will slowly result in some recurrence of the sagging. Best of luck!
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
First - congratulations on your weight loss - that's a real accomplishment!
And to answer your question, yes, it is possible to have a breast lift on both sides, including your previously augmented one. Often after dramatic weight loss like yours, breasts lose both volume and skin elasticity, making an augmentation with a lift a great choice to restore your preferred shape and size.
Also, if you're happy with the present size of your right breast, there's probably no reason to exchange that implant during the surgery.
With all best wishes,
Susan Lovelle, MD, MACM
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
These are great questions. I have found that although MRI's are valuable in many cases of silicone implant rupture, they are not infallible. I have seen false positives (reading the implant as ruptured when it's not) as well as false negatives (ruptured implant read as intact).
For that reason, your photos, and the new discomfort you're experiencing, it would be prudent to have them explanted and replaced (if you wished).
It is not thought that free silicone in the body causes breast cancer/disease or autoimmune disorders. However, they can cause local issues such as firm nodules and inflammation. Usually, however, with explantation, most of the silicone implant is able to be removed and the residual material is not troublesome.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Hi! Congratulations on your dramatic weight loss. Getting rid of the excess skin will be exciting and gratifying for you. A lower body lift or belt lipectomy will manage your abdomen and lower back excess and waist contouring can be done at that time. Those procedures will have minimal impact on the mid/upper back rolls, though; if your upper back is a major concern as well, an upper body lift with or without a breast lift would be more appropriate. The fat from your flanks and lower back could be transferred to your buttocks if you desired. Best of luck!
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Although recovery can be vastly different between patients, there are some common experiences that everyone should expect. First and foremost, the first 2-3 days postoperatively are usually when the discomfort from the surgery is highest. This is due both to the incision itself, but also from contraction of the abdominal wall muscles. These contractions may continue for months afterwards, but are less painful (kind of like the difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor for those who have experienced both). Fortunately, though, there are now long-acting local anesthetics that can greatly alleviate the incisional and muscle pain, and a short course of muscle relaxants has made a wonderful difference for my patients.
Once past the first week, most women rapidly feel better daily, as they are able to walk fully upright and move more independently. Wearing compression garments – even of the Spanx variety – minimizes swelling and speeds resolution of swelling. This can vary, though, for several months post procedure depending on activity levels and diet. Energy levels can be intermittently low as well for up to six weeks or more and it’s important to honor that fact, resting when needed. I know this can be difficult for some, but a faster, smoother recovery is worth it.
The minimum time I suggest taking off from work is one to two weeks for more sedentary jobs; if heavy lifting or significant agility is required, it may be necessary to take a full six weeks. Having a tighter, flatter tummy at the end of the recovery period, though, is definitely worth it to my patients.
Finally, there is an emotional aspect that we sometimes forget: Once past the initial few days, many women are ecstatic, having finally achieved their goal. Over the next few weeks to sometimes months, however, the day-to-day issues of healing can take a toll, and a few tearful moments is not unusual. As with exercise and fluctuating energy levels, being aware that this is completely normal (and temporary!) goes a long way towards making it more bearable.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
In my practice, I discuss two things with my mommy makeover patients with respect to weight: First, they should be within 15 pounds or so of a weight they know they can maintain. This is because significant weight shifts, either up or down, can negatively affect the great results you’ll see from your surgery. Second, to get the optimal results, it’s best to have a BMI that is 30 or below, not only so that your tummy can be tightened appropriately, but, more important, that issues with wound healing are minimized. In addition, with the amount of surgery you’re considering, having a lower BMI (for you, being 160 pounds or less) will significantly lower the time you’ll be in the operating room. And be sure to choose a plastic surgeon with experience in and passion for doing mommy makeovers. Best of luck!
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
I honestly cannot say enough great things about Dr. Lovelle and her staff! I had a breast augmentation and cannot be more pleased with my results! Extremely professional and knowledgable staff made my experience wonderful!
I have been a member of real self for several months and I have used this as a resource to answer so many questions as well as encouragement to make a final decision to have a tummy tuck and liposuction on my flanks. Whenever I would start to chicken out I would read people's stories and it would calm me down and make me realize that I am not alone and so many woman are going through the same thing. I decided that since this site helped me so much that it would only be selfish to not share my story in case it would help somebody not feel alone and help them with their decision . So this is my story. I am 38, I had my first child at 18 and got a log of bad stretch marks and not just the skinny ones but large think ones. I was due estates because I was a late bloomer so I had only really got to enjoy a nice body for a year and a half. The insecurity I had with my body was taking over my confidence and I would only buy large long shirts to make sure that my stomach would never show. When I turned 20 I decided to have tummy tuck. I was so young and had no idea what I was doing, I did no research and just went in to the first doctor I found in the phone book. She. The doctor told me he could get read of my stretch marks with a mini tummy tuck and laser surgery I immediately sigh ed up and had the surgery. Obviously this was stupid for several reasons one I knew I wasn't done having kids yet and two I didn't even see if this guy was board certified which by the results he obviously wasn't. After healing for several months and going through a lot of pain I was devastated to find that not only were all my stretch marks still there but now I had an additional scar like a c section that was very crooked. I decided that I would wait until I was done having kids the. Do a lot of research ha do find the best plastic surgeon out there. When I was 29 I had to have a cyst removed off of my ovary so when I went in to have that procedure the doctor messed up and had to open my up from the top of y rub cage to my pubic bone leaving me with a 10 inch vertical scar down my stomach. This left me with a deformed looking stomach and belly button. Of course this didn't do anything for my self asteem. I was much more insecure and much more cautious of nobody being able to see my stomach. By 33 I was done having kids and started to research for a great plastic surgeon. Every time it was time to make a decision I would chicken out and not set the appointment. Do to the past disappointments and doctor screw ups I was just to scared to try again. For 6 years I would keep interviewing doctors and doing research h on them but would chicken out. Finally I decided it was now or never so after much more background checks and research and with the help of this site I choose Dr. Susan Lovelle and made a surgery date of oct. 6th. I picked her for several reasons. Herbed side manner was amazing, her staff was awesome, she was very highly ranked, she answered all of my questions and never made me feel rushed and so on. I had my surgery on Monday and she was awesome, her surgical team was amazing And they all made me feel so at ease. The hospital she practices In was so nice and several spoke called me the next day to check on me. I will post pics soon!!
I have been viewing this site for a few months. Reading other's experiences and seeing their results have helped me to make this difficult decision. I had a consult in June and will be having my surgery in November. I'm 48 years old. I have had 3 c-sections for 3 kids ages 24, 23, and 19 so I have the apron and the belly fat that is always there no matter what. Five years ago I had a hysterectomy and wanted a tummy tuck with that but my gyn would not agree. So, 5 years later I will finally get a flat stomach. I am very excited about the tt. I am also thinking about liposuction to my outer thighs. I just can't decide if it would be worth the extra pain and money. My ps did not recommend inner thigh lipo for me because of the skin elasticity. So I will decide about the thighs within the next month. I have learned a great deal from this forum. Updated on 20 Sep 2012: Here are pre-op pics. Like everyone else here I hate this belly. Updated on 7 Nov 2012: Ready to leave for the surgery center. Good luck to all of us scheduled today. Updated on 8 Nov 2012: Had my surgery yesterday morning. Was in OR for 2 and half hours and in recovery for 4 hours or so. The pain is not that bad but the nausea. I have had several episodes of it and threw up on the way to the car plus 3 times at home. This is with zofran on board. So I'm awake at 2 am. Does help that I work nightshift so my sleep cycle is off anyway. I managed to eat a little jello and kept it down but still feeling queazy at times. So I was a little too soon on that. I just threw up again. I had taken my pain and nausea meds about 1 hour ago so I hope I get the effect of at least the pain meds. My pain is from the muscle repair, it does feel like I have done a 1000 situps. like everyone says in other posts. I am staying in the couch propped up with pillows. I have a lillte leakage from my right drain. I have 3 of them but so far output has been total about 200 ccs. Ok I'm going to sleep some more. Everyone take care. Updated on 8 Nov 2012: Had my surgery yesterday morning. Was in OR for 2 and half hours and in recovery for 4 hours or so. The pain is not that bad but the nausea. I have had several episodes of it and threw up on the way to the car plus 3 times at home. This is with zofran on board. So I'm awake at 2 am. Does help that I work nightshift so my sleep cycle is off anyway. I managed to eat a little jello and kept it down but still feeling queazy at times. So I was a little too soon on that. I just threw up again. I had taken my pain and nausea meds about 1 hour ago so I hope I get the effect of at least the pain meds. My pain is from the muscle repair, it does feel like I have done a 1000 situps. like everyone says in other posts. I am staying in the couch propped up with pillows. I have a lillte leakage from my right drain. I have 3 of them but so far output has been total about 200 ccs. Ok I'm going to sleep some more. Everyone take care. Updated on 9 Nov 2012: 2nd day post op, I had my post op visit today. All went well, I have 3 drains that are going to be there until at least Tuesday. My incision looks good and my pain is not too bad but I do keep on a 4 hour schedule with my percocet, 6hours with flexiril. I did have some burning pain that I put some frozen peas on to help it go away. I think the hardest part now is the walking bent over part. It wears me out. My appetite is back but I feel full after just a small meal so that is good. Going to take some MOM tonight for bm, I have gas but that is all. So to all of us tummy tuckers out there good luck. Updated on 14 Nov 2012: Today is 1 week post op. I feel very energetic and good today except for some back soreness. Yesterday I had ps visit and got one drain removed. My left drain came out on its own Monday night and I was worried because it had been draining a lot that day. My ps said that it should be ok and that the middle drain could stay in, so the farthest one on the right was pulled as not much drainage from it. She also gave me more antibiotics to take while my drain remains in. I have f/u appt next week and I hope it comes out then. I was able to sleep in by bed last night for the first time and that was so good. I will try to up load a few pictures. I am swollen, my tummy is very tight but I know that is part of the process. I am very happy with everything right now. I am bored as husband has gone back to his job out of state and my friends are working but I will find something to read or do and have an afternoon nap. Everyone have a great day. Updated on 27 Nov 2012: Went to the ps this am, my weekly visit because of my still remaining drain. No go on removing the drain today as I average about 120 cc per day output. So the ps injected an antibiotic via the drain tube, which it did burn a little, and then the drain was clamped for on hour. As I sat there reading I start to leak out on the left side where the former drain was as it is still not healed completely. The antibiotic caused the drainage to have a sort of metallic smell. After an hour the ps unclamped the drain replaced the bulb and sent me home with more antibiotics, instructions to take it easy for the next few days and to return next week so the drain can be pulled. I can go earlier if the amount of drainage decreases to 30 cc per day for 2 days. So I called my boss on the way home and cancelled going back to work next Monday. I don't want to risk going back to work with a drain in place as I work in a hospital. So I am obeying Dr.'s orders to rest for the next few days. I went to the mall and out lunch with a friend yesterday and really was beat after a few hours of that. Now for the positive, I am loving being on the flat side even with the drain. Updated on 4 Dec 2012: Today I finally got remaining drain out. What a relief no more antibiotics with the side effects. No more emptying measuring and recording drainage. I fell so much better, I came home and took a walk for an hour around my neighborhood looking at everyone;s Christmas decorations. I can go back to work tomorrow night which I am looking forward to amazingly, I am bored out of my gourd. I posted new pics showing my scar and my new leggings that I never thought I would ever be able to wear. I am thrilled with my new body and I am on a mission to make it better through a sensible diet and exercise. Hope everyone has a good recovery. Updated on 31 Dec 2012: I'm very thankful that I get to have a new body to go with the new year. I know all of my fellow tt feel the same. I will be 8 weeks post op Wednesday. Today I had 2 stitches that I cut from my incision. Both were at sites that just want to scab over and after examining them I could feel those tiny clear sutures coming out. I hope that these sites will heal now. I had so much swelling last night that I was miserable but this morning most was gone. I have had upper respiratory tract infection and laryngitis for the past week. I think I pulled a muscle in my upper abdomen from all of the coughing, sneezing and nose blowing. I was very sore for the past 2 days. I put up a few pics not much difference from last time that I can see. This is going to a be an exciting month to come, I will be moving to a new city and finding a new job in a few weeks time. Looking forward to that adventure. Happy New Year to all.
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