POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Discouraged with results of TT! - Chicago, IL
UPDATED FROM time_for_me
7 months post
Went to see another ps
$9,050
I went to see another ps to get a second opinion yesterday. I showed him the bulges and how my stomach protrudes when not holding it in. He thinks my ps wasn't aggressive enough with the muscle repair in my upper abs. He said I would need to do a full tt over again to retighten the upper abs in order to be flat. He couldn't feel the stitches for the mr so he asked if the ps actually did the mr on the upper abs since that part sticks out even when holding my abs in. Of course since it is a full tt its full price, $9500 to fix this. He would do a little lipo on those bulges and my sides so I have some curves since I look like spongebob squarepants. Redo the mr and fix my bb to be an innie again. He's not removing any skin, just redraping it after the mr. Plus my ps used dissolving stitches for the mr, this guy uses permanent stitches. Maybe I need permanent stitches to hold it in place, idk. But I really don't want to pay for this again! Ugh!
time_for_me's provider
UPDATED FROM time_for_me
6 months post
6 month appt
Went to my 6 month appt. The doc still thinks the bulges by my belly button are fat pockets. He said he can lipo those areas and a little on my lower abs but I have to pay a fee of $750 for the room and supplies. I scheduled it but still not sure if I should do it or not. What if it doesn't help. Now I'm out another $750! I meant to ask him about doing an ultrasound on that area since it's seems only my upper abs and sticking out so I emailed him later that night. He said he's 99% sure the muscle repair is still intact and an ultrasound my not be covered by insurance so it could be a large amount out of pocket. I wasn't expecting that reply since he told me previously he could do an ultrasound and never said there would be a fee. Same with the lipo, at my last appt he said if the bulges don't get better he would lipo them as an office procedure, again no mention of a fee. And the lipo he is going to do is in the office as I will be awake and he will just numb the area. So why the fee? I may go get a few second opinions from others surgeons and see what they say. I'm torn on what to do. I will try to post pics this weekend though nothing has changed.
Replies (5)
A
July 15, 2015
To the bulg looks like maybe fluid. If you tap on it does it ripple/wave like a water bed? If it does than its probably fluid and should be drained. Did dr check you for that? As for the tummy sticking out when you Relax it, I think that is totally normal. You don't need to alway be sucking your stomach in but holding it in to some degree should be a natural position similar to like holding your head up or having good posture. I think sit ups will def improve that for you and with stronger muscles holding it in will feel effortlessly. If you are feeling discouraged look at your before pics and realize how far you have come. Amazing transformation!!
T
July 16, 2015
No it doesn't ripple. The doc did check that to make sure it's not fluid. I know when I relax it will stick out a little but it protrudes a lot. I have been doing ab exercises and it's not helping. I know I do look better but I expected to be flat and I'm not. I was flat in the beginning which was awesome and I want that back. I'm still glad I got this done because I do feel better.
M
July 16, 2015
Just a thought, a general practitioner should be able to palpate your abdomen to feel if you have an intact diastasis repair. Even if you had to go to a doctor complaining of bloating and discomfort to check for herniation, maybe you could come up with symptoms that could help you get an ultrasound of the area to see what it really looks like in there. I think he flubbed on your muscle repair and doesn't want proof. Do you think the muscles feel corrected. I would really struggle to put another cent in this guy's pocket but I do understand the desperation at this point to do whatever you can to get a better result. You have been through so much out of pocket and in recovery to not be satisfied with your outcome. I sure hope you can get to the bottom of all this.
T
July 16, 2015
That's a good idea. I do think the muscle repair at the top didn't hold because when I lay down and lift my head up, it feels like there is a gap there again. It's not huge but I feel it. The doc also only checks the area when I'm standing, not laying down. I think I will go to my gp and see what he thinks.
R
July 20, 2015
My stomach sticks out too! I never expected to be totally flat! Never was before....I was just thankful to get that hanging blob off! You look AMAZING ...especially after looking at your before pic. I think that we just have viseral fat inside our stomachs. After the skin is stretched so tight...the tummies can't protrude AT ALL. Hell...i could hardly take a breath...my stomach wouldn't expand. But as time went on...the skin eventually stretched...and i couldn't inhale...yay. Then it stretched some more. Then I ate lots of cookies and comfort food when bf kept dumping me.....the tummy/skin stretched some more. I have more fat on one side than the other. It was the side that had 'more' on it to begin with. My doc is in another state....and I'm not doing any follow ups...cuz I wouldn't go under the knife again.....just for a few 'tweaks'. I look good with clothes on.....and that's all i wanted. I had reasonable expectations. I laughed when you did the 'sticking stomach in'....letting out pics....side by side. It was just like me. So don't be discouraged. It's normal. I think only the truly skinny minnies have a really FLAT stomach. YOU LOOK GREAT! Trust me...you DO!
R
T
July 21, 2015
Thanks! I appreciate you saying that. Some days I'm ok with my results and other days I'm frustrated and sad. I talked to my hubby, he thinks I should do the extra lipo for the bulges because those have bothered me the most.
J
B
August 6, 2015
Just checking in. Are things any better? Did you have the addtl lipo?
T
August 8, 2015
No I haven't yet. I don't know if I'm going to now. I went to another ps to get a second opinion abs he thinks my ps wasn't aggressive enough with the muscle repair. He said to fix it I need to do the tt again! Lipo isn't going to give me the result in looking for. Now I'm really upset.
UPDATED FROM time_for_me
5 months post
Bulge looks bigger!
I think the bulge by my belly button is larger. Could it be swelling? Plus it looks like below my bb is bulging. Plus there's that weird indent above my bb. In the pics it looks like I'm leaning back but I'm not. I'm sitting straight. I wonder if I should send these to my ps.
Replies (5)
T
June 12, 2015
I forgot to add that the past couple days the stomach has been really itchy but it's deep on the inside. It's such a strange and annoying feeling.
D
June 12, 2015
Hello. That bulge could come from where your clothing is positioned. I'm 4weeks out today & I don't wear anything around my waist that could leave a imprint. Not even panties. Idk if this would help but good luck! & best wishes
T
June 14, 2015
Thanks. I thought it could be that but my clothes weren't tight. I've had this bulge for awhile but now it's seems worse.
P
June 12, 2015
Bring 5 months po defiantly call your ps it looks as if your muscle repair is failing I hope it's not but don't wait .... Hope all works out
P
T
June 14, 2015
Thx. I'm going to send him my pics and see what he says. I hope the mr isn't failing, that will suck!
C
June 12, 2015
I'm experiencing something very similar....I only hope your ps is better than mine! I asked him last week at my 4 mth follow up about it and he didn't even look it me... Said I hope so, see you in 8 weeks and left the room. So frustrating!
T
June 14, 2015
Omg really! That's terrible. How can your ps not take the time to look at you! That's what he's there for. Wow I'm so sorry that happened.
C
June 15, 2015
Thanks...I haven't felt great about the surgeon since after the 1st surgery last year. Both surgeries were covered by my pronvicial health plan (I'm in Canada) and couldn't have the revision covered if I changed surgeons :( the price to pay for a "free" surgery I guess....
D
June 14, 2015
Are thinking about having a revision?
T
July 14, 2015
Idk. I don't want to pay for a revision and have another result that I'm not ecstatic about.
Replies (5)