I'm considering having a tummy tuck and was wondering if anyone out there has had this surgery done by any of these two Dr's. Dr. Chatson from Andover, MA or Dr. James May from Boston, MA? Any info would be appreciated.

I have previous scars from other surgery, like a hysotectomy scar (smily) and an old ruptured apendic scar from when I was 8 years old. Has anyone had a tummy tuck with similar scars? Is the incision made over the old scar? Cost? How long hospital stay? Recovery time?

Hi Lackosweets!!

I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck, also involving the muscles. I've had two c-sections. I was told by my surgeon that she would cut along the c-section scar only it would extend to my hip bones. Mine is mostly skin removal, no lipo, she does want to suture my stomach muscles since she will be in there any way, this is where most of the pain will come from. Also, I would ask where they will put the drain tubes. Mine will be at the sides much more comfortable than over the pubic bone, they will be in for about 4-7days, but they may be in longer if your body contines to drain fluid. I am requesting an additional night at the hospital because I will be getting a breast lift along with the tummy tuck, so I feel that a total of a two-night stay will be better for me, I know to expect alot of pain. I heard it will take a good two to three weeks before you will feel comfortable enough to start doing things, but a good three months to where you're feeling good.

When is your surgery? Ask alot of questions, make sure the surgeon understands exactly what your expectations are?

I had one about 12 years ago and I was at a party 2 weeks later. The first 3 days were the worst. I slept in a recliner so I could get up easier to go to the bathroom, etc. It's very hard to get up cuz you have to use the stomach muscles and they have been tied up so thats where the pain is. The drains were kind of a pain cuz you have to empty them and thats kind of gross but like I said 2 weeks later I was at a party feeling great! I did have a c-section but I was cut vertically so my scar from that is pretty much gone. Removed with the skin. I was cut hip to hip. Best thing I ever did. I had twins so I had a lot of loose skin. Still to this day, tummy is flat as a board. I do exercise regularly though also. You have to do something to keep it looking good. Let me know how the breast lift goes. I have been thinking of that. Are you getting implants also or just the lift? Good Luck with your surgery and keep us posted!

I had one about 12 years ago and I was at a party 2 weeks later. The first 3 days were the worst. I slept in a recliner so I could get up easier to go to the bathroom, etc. It's very hard to get up cuz you have to use the stomach muscles and they have been tied up so thats where the pain is. The drains were kind of a pain cuz you have to empty them and thats kind of gross but like I said 2 weeks later I was at a party feeling great! I did have a c-section but I was cut vertically so my scar from that is pretty much gone. Removed with the skin. I was cut hip to hip. Best thing I ever did. I had twins so I had a lot of loose skin. Still to this day, tummy is flat as a board. I do exercise regularly though also. You have to do something to keep it looking good. Let me know how the breast lift goes. I have been thinking of that. Are you getting implants also or just the lift? Good Luck with your surgery and keep us posted!

I am considering having lower eyelid blepharoplasty and possibly upper. I live in nyc, but would travel for the best results. Any suggestions? I had a consulation with Jelks, but wasn't 100% comfortable. Thanks for any advice.

Hi Marie 72
Thank you for the reply. I'm not schdule for anything just yet. I did got to a seminar in Dr. Chatson's office in Andover, MA yesterday. He did answer some of my questions and I booked a consultation with him in June. He did mention the drains but I didn't ask about the location.
I'm not clear yet on the prices. I was given some literature and a price list but I won't know the exact price until I see him in June. It loke a mini would be around $6250.00 and a full $7275.00 it could be more depending on how long it takes to do the surgery. Liposction is $3700.00 for 1 hour and $4875.00 for 1 1/2 hr. and so on. I don't know if the price of the liposuction is included with the abdominoplasty??? I'm 5'3" and weigh 122 lbs.I would like to loose 4 lbs by the time I go for my consultation.
I don't know yet if I will need lipo. I know the muscles need to be tightened and remove excess skin. I excersise 3 times a week but no matter how hard I work on those stomach muscles, I don't get the results I'm looking for.
Good luck with your surgery. When are you scheduled?

Hi Lackosweets,

I'm scheduled for April 30, I had a few consultations over the last three years, the first said a mini, but doing my research I found out that if your going for the surgery and the expense, just do a full, which will tighten all the muscles in the stomach and just not the lower ones. I read that once they suture the muscles in you stomach you can have a six pack for life, if you exercise of course. I'm also 5'4 and 120 lbs. I want to loose 10 lbs before the surgery so that they can have more skin to pull. I know that if they can't get the belly button hole low enough they will have to stitch it vertically over the pubic area, so I guess the more skin the better for the surgeon. I opted not to have lipo, I don't think I really need it, and the pain and risk involved turned me off to having lipo. I haven't exercised in the last couple of years, so I think when I start after the surgery, I should be in better physical shape. I'm getting a small breast lift and implants to even out my breasts, along with the tummy tuck, I think that's enough pain for my body. Also, I'm worried about the lipo, what if my body then looks lumpy.

Hi Marie 72
I hope you'll post again after your surgery and let us all know how your doing. Good Luck

Hi Marie 72
I hope you'll post again after your surgery and let us all know how your doing. Good Luck
Hi Marie72

Just wondering how your surgery went? Are you happy with the outcome or is it to soon to tell? How is your recovery going? I'm going for my consultation on Thursday and I'm getting a little nervous but also excited at the same time.

Hi Lackosweets,

I posted on another thread. The surgery went great. Full tummy tuck with muscles tightened, slight lipo on hips, breast lift with augmentation. I ended up spending a third night in the hospital, my caretaker got the flu and I had no one to help. The nurses were great. I get very nauseous from the anestesia so they gave me plenty of Reglan in my IV for two days, I think thats what really helped. I took pain meds only one day when I returned home and have not even taken a tylenol since. The pain is really just discomfort, I'm standing straight, I go up and down stairs with no problem. I sleep up on pillows but have no back aches. I think I'm doing great. I went in on Monday for the surgery, went home on Thursday, had the drains removed on Saturday, my surgeon placed them at the hip and pinned them to my binder, had absolutely no problem with them. Although, I just started coughing because of allergy season and the muscles hurt like hell. So try not to cough. No one notices the difference. I look the same with clothes on. I am 5'4 and weigh about 115. I just read on another board that if you get lipo done on your tummy then when you gain some weigh it goes straight to your breast, so if you a B cup they will grow to a C cup. I think I need to stay the 115 lb. mark, because now I'm a C cup and do not want to be a D!! Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm sitting at home recouperating!!!!

Hi Lackosweets,

How did your consultation go? I'm doing great with my surgeries. I was out driving by the 9th day post surgery. Now its been 12 days post op and I feel like I never had any surgery. Occassionly my breasts feel like PMSing, but the tummy is doing great, a little numb. I shower everyday with no problem, no stinging at the incision site. Let me know what you've decided about the tummy tuck?

I am scheduled for a tummy tuck with lipo suction for the flanks and an upper eyelid surgery. My PS said it would be an outpatient surgery....no need to stay overnight unless I had a complication. Has anyone else done it on an ourpatient basis?
Also, I don't fully understand the drainage tubes. where are they put in and how long do you have them??
I do have another consultation with the doctor prior to surgery, but I would like to hear from someone who has been there!:confused:

It's been awhile since I've posted on this site. I just wanted to give you an update. I had my surgery in July FTT with lipo to flanks. (Dr. recomended I lose 10 lbs before surgery) I weighed in at 114 the day of surgery. So far I am happy with my results. I have a "dog ear" but Dr. will remove it some time in January of 08. I am scheduled for a mastopexy & B/A January 11 "08".