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POSTED UNDER Drainless Tummy Tuck Reviews

50 YO, Denver,4 Kids, 1 C-section, a Hysterectomy & the Tummy to Prove It! Full TT (no drains!)/Lipo/MR - Golden, CO

UPDATED FROM callmemimi
2 months post

8 wks post-op photo

WORTH IT$9,200
Today is 8 wks post-op and I couldn't be more happy with my results. This is the body I wish I could have had 20 years ago at age 31! I think it's important to note that I only weigh 7 lbs less than I did in my "before" picture, but I think I look like I lost 20 lbs! This week, swelling and tightness at the end of the day has been minimal and each week (since about week 5) I've noticed exponential improvement.
Today I got a massage and didn't have any trouble at all when I decided to try laying on my stomach for the first time since my surgery.
Thanks, everyone, for your private and public messages of encouragement. It's been fun to answer questions, get to know so many of you, and be a part of this supportive community. Most important, I'm so grateful to Dr. Wolfe and his staff for a pleasant, stress-free experience that delivered results I didn't think were possible!!

callmemimi's provider

Andrew Wolfe, MD

Andrew Wolfe, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0 | 437 Reviews
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This is the part of my whole experience where I could just go on and on about the quality of care I received. First of all, Dr Wolfe, and Dr. Vath are two of the very few surgeons in the Denver metro area that perform drain-less tummy tucks. I had heard other surgeons explain why drains were necessary and was a bit skeptical about the concept of a drain-less tummy tuck. Dr Wolfe explained that the technique of "quilting" the abdominal and underlying tissue results in a surgical site that does not have spaces where fluid can collect, and causing your own lymphatic system to take care of the fluid normally collected by the drains. It takes a bit longer in the OR, but pays off in the final result. I LOVED the idea that I didn't have to go home with drains or staples that would later need to be removed. I have a scar that is really thin and is a very light pink color. My recovery was quick and I am thrilled with the results thus far. There were a few times when I called the office with questions and my calls were always returned before the end of the day. Everyone I came in contact with from the staff at the front desk, to Cheryl, my patient coordinator, to the nurses, were courteous, friendly, and professional. I never waited more than a few minutes for any of my appointments and both offices/waiting areas were neat, organized and comfortable. I hesitate to give five stars in every category because I think I'd be a little skeptical if I saw another reviewer give five stars. But I have to be completely honest and say that this practice exceeded my expectations on every level. During the whole process--from initial consultation, pre-op, day of surgery and post-op visits--I had the chance to speak with several staff members who told me that they have worked for Dr's Wolfe and Vath for 10-15+ years. That fact alone speaks volumes regarding how they run their practice. Maybe something will change during the next year as the final results become more apparent, but for right now, I just can't think of anything they could have done differently to improve my experience.

Replies (12)

At 8 weeks.....you look FANTASTIC!!!
Hey, thanks! You found my photos!
YES!!!
Wow you look amazing! Thank you for the review. I am scheduled with Dr. Vath in August. So nervous but it's nice to see such positive results and easy healing.
Thank you! I remember feeling so nervous but excited, too. You couldn't be working with a better team, though, so have confidence and just enjoy the fact that you're doing it! I am convinced that the drainless TT w/dissolvable stitches is the way to go. You made a wise decision to use these Drs. and I'm excited to hear how everything goes for you. Please keep me posted!
You look amazing! I had a consult with Dr. Vath last week, and planning on my MM with Lipo in September. It is very helpful to hear such good experiences with both of these Docs. Thank you for sharing.
I'm so excited for you! Since you've already been for your consult, you know what a great practice they have. You will love not having to deal with drains & going back to have stitches removed. I'm not a Dr (obviously) but it seems like there is much less post-op trouble without drains. I don't know why everyone doesn't do drain-less TT's w/ dissolving stitches. All I'm saying is that you're going to love your results!! Good luck & keep me posted!
Your results look amazing. I am actually considering a consult with this practice. Would it be strange to consult with both? Or did you feel perhaps they were so similar that even bedside manner would be the same?
I am using Dr Vath, did not meet with Wollfe, but knew right away that Vath was right for me. Someone recommended looking at PS before and after photos, and whoever has the closest results you are wanting, start with that one, and if you don't feel the compact with that consult- then ask for a consult with the other one. They are both amazing. Good luck
Thank you! I'm really happy with my results & would encourage you to go for a consultation (although I'm partial to Dr Wolfe) before making your final decision. The office staff & professionals are delightful to work with & you will feel comfortable the second you walk through their door. I only saw Dr. Wolfe so I can't answer your question about Dr Vath's bedside manner. I have 2 friends that have used Dr Vath, and we've compared our experiences. So I feel pretty confident saying that they are both similarly warm & personable. I saw Dr Wolfe because he happened to have a cancellation & I was able to get in sooner for a consult. After the first 5 minutes, I knew I'd use Dr Wolfe for my surgery & I haven't regretted the decision for a second. Let me know how it goes. You're going to be so glad you did it!!
Dr. Wolf is wonderful!! I would love to see a current photo now that you are a year postop. Last month I got a tummy tuck, lipo, facelift and brow lift by Dr. Wolf. I look amazing! He's enthusiastic, warm, you feel comfortale opening up to him. As he is explaining how a procedure will work in your particular case - he shows you before and afters on his computer, takes you to the mirror, draws diagrams... so thoughtful and detailed. Dr. Wolf exceeded my expectations and I'm eternally grateful! I also had implants performed by Dr. Vath a few years back and the Pearl Laser by their spa...also fantastic results.
UPDATED FROM callmemimi
1 month post

7 wks post-op photo and…gulp..."before" photo from my patient file

Today is 7 weeks post-op and I'm feeling pretty much back to normal. For as much as I hate that stupid compression garment, for me, it is the key factor in feeling good at the end of the day and keeping swelling to a minimum. I don't love that the CG adds bulk so, like Nacho Libre, I usually just wear my "stretchy pants"!

Although I haven't gone back to yoga class, I have been on a quick 4-day vacation that included hauling luggage, grandkids, groceries and lots of walking, and I felt fine. I notice on days that I'm more active that my stomach feels tight and puffy by evening, but Ibuprofen takes care of it.

I'm so grateful to not have had to deal with some of the complications I've read about regarding incisions not healing properly. Is it just dumb luck or could it be that drain-less TT's and dissolvable stitches have lower rates of post-op infection/necrosis? I'd be interested in knowing if there have been any studies done on that subject.

I'm down one jeans size and that's exciting. I'll wear my CG with my old jeans or no CG and I can fit into the new, smaller ones. It still blows me away when I look down and there's no belly, or when I sit down and my belly isn't folded onto my lap.

I love my results and if I can answer any questions or offer encouragement, I'm happy to do so. This has been an overwhelmingly positive experience and I wouldn't hesitate to take the leap, knowing what I know now. It hasn't been a walk in the park, but it hasn't been anything I couldn't handle, either. I'm just really happy I did it!!

Replies (8)

I am interested in the mini TT possibly w lipo
I am interested in Dr vath or Dr Wolfe also, I have read a lot about lipo being the worst part,was that true for you?
Hi liketorun, I've heard that lipo is awful, too. I don't know if my experience is unique, but I didn't have any pain at all from the lipo. Maybe because Dr Wolfe did tumescent lipo (local anesthesia is used in the liposuctioned areas in addition to the general anesthesia used for the TT) so maybe that's why? I can't imagine that surgical practices differ that dramatically from one Dr to another, but I don't know enough to say for sure. I'll find out exactly what he did & get back to you. I'm seriously starting to wonder why my experience has been so much easier than many of the others I've read about. My only real discomfort was sore abs. But I took the pain meds that were prescribed, and took them according to the instructions, til they were gone & it was totally manageable. Maybe that's another reason my recovery was so smooth? I'm not someone with an especially high tolerance for pain so I know that wasn't it. I just know that I'm feeling very lucky. It's a big decision & you have so many choices in choosing a Dr & deciding exactly what procedure/s you want. My advice is to find a Dr you're comfortable with & let whomever you choose give you several different options for treatment. Keep me posted & good luck in whatever you decide.
Thanks so much for your reply!! I will research that type of lipo more, I was going to skip it mainly because of reviews that it is the worst part, so your experience is encouraging!! I hope I can get away with a mini but we will see. Can u post more pics of before and after? I am 5'2 and 130 pounds. Its mostly the c sec area that bothers me, and I don't feel I would be brave enough for a full TT. Your pics look amazing!!!! Glad to find reviews for the Dr's I am interested in. It's very important to me to have a Dr that shows interest and compassion and not feel like I am just another number. So scary to me!!!
I was wondering also, what made you choose Dr. Wolfe over Vath? They both sound so nice by the reviews I have read...
It's funny you say that about not being brave enough for a full TT. I felt exactly the same way, and thought I didn't want to do anything quite that extreme. But I have a friend that was looking into having a mommy makeover and she's the one who finally just said that if I'm going to go under general anesthesia, I might as well do the whole thing so I would be happy with the results. She had gone to several consultations with cosmetic surgeons in the Denver area and recommended that I include Drs Wolfe and Vath, too. Her consult was with Dr Vath but after looking at all the before and after photos on their website, it looked like both Drs did similar work. When I called the office the first time, I asked if there was one Dr that specialized in TT's and was told that they both do a comparable number of them. So when I finally got up my nerve to call the office and schedule my consult, I just wanted to see whomever had an opening first. Dr. Wolfe had the first opening and I took it. It seemed like they have high regard for each others' work and that one Dr wouldn't risk his professional career and partner with a Dr. that wasn't comparable as far as skills and final results. (We have friends that are Drs and I know that things don't always work out between partners but these Drs have practiced together long enough to have moved on by now if they weren't happy.) But really, after meeting with Dr. Wolfe, I just felt "good" about it. I tend to trust my gut so I went with it, put a deposit down and wasn't disappointed. I continued to watch the other people in the practice interact with each other and there is just a good feeling in their office. You asked if I could post more "before" and "after" photos and I will look for some more pics. But I think I'm probably like every other person that's not thrilled with the way they look--you tend not to jump up first when someone pulls out a camera. If it helps put things in perspective with the pictures I've already posted, I'm 5' 9" and was 160 before surgery and weigh about 155 now. Let me know how everything goes with you. I'm excited to hear what you decide to move forward with.
Well maybe with my consultation they will feel I could benefit from a full TT. And it's true, and a great point that if I go under maybe it's better to get the full and be super happy w the results. That's good to know about the Dr.s also.I will let you know when I have my consultation. We are living out of the country til March, so that is when I can get the ball rolling. I feel very encouraged by your posts!!! Thanks so so much!!!!! :))
And I look forward to hearing if it's possible that his technique for lipo is part of the reason you were not in as much pain as most of the other women I read about. They say that is more painful at times than the TT!!
UPDATED FROM callmemimi
1 month post

5 wk post-op w/Dr Wolfe

Today was my 2nd post-op visit & I saw Dr. Wolfe. I saw my "before" pics & couldn't believe the difference...and that my results will continue to improve! I am beyond happy with my TT, my energy level, the way my scar is already fading, & just the whole experience in general.

We are fortunate to live in an area with lots of great cosmetic surgeons...but just do yourself a favor and see Dr Wolfe for a consultation. You can count on a great Dr, great medical & office staff & a great experience overall.

Replies (0)

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