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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

Vertical Cut Tummy Tuck & Diastasis Repair on 37 Small Framed Mom - Utah

UPDATED FROM mommyofsix

8 Months Post-Op I LOVE the results! Not...

mommyofsix
WORTH IT$5,700
8 Months Post-Op
I LOVE the results! Not perfect, but SO MUCH better than what was there before!!!
I basically ended up with no belly button. I am naturally VERY thin, pretty much no fat under my skin, which can result in no belly button after surgery. Oh, well. Because of my thinness, my veins are also a little more noticeable than other women's, but again, oh well. I'm not a bikini wearer...to look good for ME and my hubby was all I was aiming for. And this surgery did it!

I am SO glad I went with the vertical cut tummy tuck. After researching further, I have seen post-op photos where there were still a lot of stretch marks (ones that had been there above the belly button prior to surgery). No doubt, I would have had stretch marks and most likely extra skin still if I had done the traditional tummy tuck.

mommyofsix's provider

Daniel Sellers, MD (retired)

Daniel Sellers, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

mommyofsix rating for Dr. Sellers:

Overall rating
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Answered my questions
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Replies (5)

May 10, 2013
Great result! Thank you so much for posting your TT journey! I am really very interested in this type of incision and would love to see how it's healing. Did you have to "fight" or convince your ps to do this for you? I went to one consultation and was nearly laughed at upon inquiring about it bc its reserved for obesity cases. Please respond ;-) Blessings!
May 11, 2013
I've posted updated photos and comments on my profile. I kind of lucked out going this vertical route. No other doctor had even mentioned it, nor had I, at any of my consultations. However, while in Dr. Sellers office, I pulled my skin to the side and said..."this is what I want to look like"! He then mentioned that would only be possible through a vertical or fleur de lis cut...and that is really only used on people who were obese and lost a ton of weight. That was not me. I left his office with a quote for both surgeries, but he along with his nurse made it sound like I would be a little crazy to go with the vertical cut. I decided to go with the traditional surgery, but in my gut I kept thinking about that vertical cut and wondering if it would be better for me. The day of my surgery, Dr. Sellers came into the surgery prep room and said, "So, we've decided to go with the vertical cut? I think you will be happiest with that in the end." Although at that moment I had planned on the regular, horizontal surgery, I quickly changed my mind since HE thought I would be better off with the vertical cut...that's what I had felt all along. That all being said, although I never brought it up with any other surgeons, I'm pretty sure they would have been against it or would have tried to talk me out of it had I suggested it. I know it was a blessing from God that my doctor suggested this route on the morning of my surgery!
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May 11, 2013
Thank you so much for sharing! You look great! I'm having a fleur de lis tuck this coming Thursday May 16. My doctor wants to be sure he removes all of the loose skin. Your story confirms my confidence in this procedure being the right way to go!!
May 11, 2013
After looking at your photo's, I KNOW you are going to LOVE your results! Just keep in mind, even if the surgery doesn't wipe away EVERY stretch mark...it will just be SO much better than it is today. Way to go on your weight loss. That's a really big accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself!
August 1, 2013
Thanks for posting!! I am the same size as you and looking to have the very same done. Looks great! Very reassuring :)
November 7, 2013
Thank you for sharing. YOU LOOK GREAT! I am 4' 11 and 110 lbs. So not as thin as you but not obese. I requested this type of procedure for the same reason as you and felt that I got the same general reaction from everyone I told. "Do you really want a scar!!!" After seeing you pictures I can definitively say YES. I have been looking at, and feeling the emotional burded of these strech marks for 20 years. It is time to get rid of them for good. My surgery is scheduled for 12/11/12. I can only hope for results as good as yours. Thanks again for sharing!
May 3, 2016
I am amazed at how well your scar healed. I can barely make it out. What scar therapy did you use?
UPDATED FROM mommyofsix

6 weeks post op, and I am loving my results! I...

mommyofsix
6 weeks post op, and I am loving my results! I feel like my posture is much better and my backaches are gone now that my core muscles are working properly. I happily trade my loose, stretch marked skin for a long vertical scar. I don't think I have a single stretch mark left....amazing! No way I could have had these results with a normal, horizontal tummy tuck. Too much extra skin and stretch marks above the belly button.

My doctor took 8 INCHES of skin off vertically. Again, amazing to me considering my size. I am 5' 4", weighing 105 before tummy tuck. Never gained weight except for 20-25 pounds during each of my 6 pregnancies.

My post-op belly button is not ideal. It is flat and I wish the doctor maybe had made the circle a little smaller. However, again, the trade off for this new tummy is incomparible! Because of my herniated belly button and the fact that I have virtually no fat against my stomach, a flat belly button is my result. Ok with me.

Replies (5)

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October 25, 2012
You look incredible! Your incision is already so light. I was just thinking the same about my back. Some muscle tightness I have had since my twins in my back is gone! Amazing what happens when things are put back in their proper place :)
October 25, 2012
Wow great pictures I'm having the same procedure on 29 th oct it's so resasuring to read your posts thank you x
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October 25, 2012
thanks for the pics/update! stellar results! :)
October 26, 2012
You look really good. Great decision.
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October 26, 2012
You look great. I have never seen this incision on thin people. hmm..
UPDATED FROM mommyofsix

Dated: September 11, 2012 My surgery is...

mommyofsix
Dated: September 11, 2012
My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. My dear husband gave me a Priesthood blessing tonight. I am not so much scared for the actual surgery, but more anxious about the unknown of it all. How will it turn out? Will I be happy with it? Will I notice a big enough difference to make it worthwhile? Have I chosen the right doctor? Will he sew up all my muscles like I want him to? How will the recovery be? I’ve read different things, some people say pain not too bad during recovery if keep up on pain meds, others say first few days SO painful. Which will I say? Some people say just taking a shower that first week totally zaps all your energy and wears you out. Really? I totally can not even imagine that! After my babies, I am pretty much up and at em by the next day, no laying in bed for me. Will I not feel like getting out of bed for weeks after this surgery? I know my stretch marks are not all going away with this surgery. Will I notice the ones that are left? Will they still wrinkle when I bend? Will my incision be straight? Will the scar fade or stay red? How will I take care of my baby (14 months old) for the next month? My biggest concern is getting him in and out of his crib. I just don’t know how that’s going to work out! And, I’m totally not ready to give up naptime for him yet, for this. Luckily, and hopefully, my 19 year old will be home most days to help out with this. Then of course there are the real worries. Ones like, what if something goes wrong and I leave my kids without a mother all over my vanity. I know my hernia and muscles are being repaired and as well, but neither one of these things is deadly or absolutely necessary, so could I be setting myself up for a lifetime of problems unnecessarily?


My sweetheart took me to my favorite, Chick-Fil-A, for dinner tonight. I slept until around 4:00, at which time I awoke and had a hard time getting back to sleep with all the thoughts running through my mind.

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