Is it safe and or okay to get a Tummy tuck with already having a lap-band?

I have performed many surgeries on patients with a lap band, and there are several issues.  First, it's important to know your fill and also your dietary patterns.  If you are having certain foods "stick" or have a fill in the 5cc or more range, I usually advocate emptying or taking the band fill down. My bariatric surgeon colleagues usually agree with me on this. The idea is to prevent band slip in case you get nausea or vomiting from the anesthesia after surgery.  Also, you are going to need a bit more protein in your diet after surgery, and your abdominal wall muscles may also be tightened. A tight band can be a real problem in those cases.  Accessing the port requires a special needle setup, so be sure your PS is familiar to avoid damage to the port. Finally, I will often re-secure the port to the abdominal wall because your weight loss almost always causes the port to become loose and harder to fill or unfill.  Again, my bariatric colleagues are often appreciative of this.

Yes you can. The high lateral tension technique or any abdominoplasty is possible with a lap band. You will need to tell your surgeon that you have a band and let him evaluate you for the best surgery for you.

 Dear Ms. A new me36,Congratulations on taking steps to reclaim your body!Thank you for your story. Unfortunately without a examination I can advise you in general terms, however I hope you will find them helpful.1) your weight should be stable for 3-6 months2) a letter and lab from your Bariatric physician that you are cleared for abdominoplasty.3)your entire medical history would need be reviewed prior to surgery.4) there are a few technical nuances but nothing a experienced Plastic Surgeon can't do.Some additional informatio:After pregnancy and/or weight loss several physiological events occur that can not be corrected with just diet and exercise:1) the skin looses some of its visco/elastic properties (ability to recoil) from being stretched. With further weight loss or liposuction the skin will sag further.2) the space between two two rectus abdomenis muscles (which run from your rib cage to the pubic bone) become larger and does not return to their pre pregnancy/weight loss position referred to as diastasis recti. This results in the abdominal bulge when the muscles are relaxed.3) in addition a c-section scar can aggravate the appearance of the hanging skin because of the scar attachment to the underlying tissues.Liposuction alone will reduce the the amount fat, however the skin will hang more.Liposuction is often incorporated/included with a abdominoplasty to help contour the flank areas (love handles/hip areas).However it is not advised to perform liposuction of the upper abdomen at the time of abdominoplasty for fear of injuring the blood vessels that supply the lower abdominal tissue. This liposuction can often be completed under local anesthesia several months after healing of the abdominal incision.I recommend that you:1) make a list of your questions2) make several consultative appointments with Plastic Surgeons who are experienced and Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition ideally they are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).I wish you my best and success,R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACSDiplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgerywwwimagineplasticsurgery.com4646 Brockton AveRiverside, Ca 92506(951) 686-7600