tummy tuck - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

threejs · 08-07-2001, 03:10 PM

I already went to one consultation and the dr. said he couldnt get the stretch marks around my belly button to go away. I have loose skin around it and he said that he will get rid of that, he has only done 16 tummy tucks so that gives me reason to wonder if he really knows what he is doing. I want to have a flat stomach again with no marks around my belly button. Does anybody know if that is possible.

Dawn · 08-08-2001, 10:35 AM

Hi Threejs. My first advice would be to make sure you get more than one opinion. Have a few more consultations with other doctors. I would be very leary of having any cosmetic surgery with someone who has only done a few of them...at the very least, make sure you research the doctor thoroughly, and ask to speak with some of the patients he's done the work on. A tummy tuck is MAJOR surgery, with a long recuperation period, and nothing to take chances with!

That said, he may very well be correct about not being able to get rid of certain stretch marks. A tummy tuck will only get rid of the stretch marks that are in the area of skin that is actually removed during the surgery. What skin remains will still have any stretch marks, although will probably be in a different position after surgery, when the skin is pulled tighter (usually lower). Also, even with an excellent surgeon, not all people end up with an entirely flat stomach. Depending on the individual body, you'll have gotten rid of any extra skin and "pouch", but you may stil have a little bit of a "bulge"...it's not extra skin, just a small, firm bludge because of the position of some peoples intestines, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly a huge improvement and looks great, but some people assume their stomach will be concave and perfect after a TT, and sometimes that just isn't the case even with excellent surgery.

Try seeking another opinion, though. Maybe another doctor will tell you that your BB has to be moved because of the amount of skin that has to be excised. If that's the case, the "new BB" that he would have to make could possibly be placed in an area where there are no existing stretch marks. Good luck!

threejs · 08-08-2001, 11:18 AM

Thank you for your reply. I do have another consultation with another ps. She seems to be more qualified and more experienced.As far as the stretch marks go I wouldnt mind if they were down further I just dont want them where they are.Im tired of having to make sure my tops dont ride up over my pants and have anyone see all that mess. I am not a heavy person to start with but since having three kids I do want to get back to near what I was before I had my children.I forgot to mention that the first ps I went to said I had a hernia he said he would take care of that also. Would insurance cover that part of the surgery. If anyone knows anything about that I would love to hear about it. Thank you. Oh one more thing I heard that you have to quit smoking before and after the surgery is this true and for how long.

Dawn · 08-08-2001, 07:45 PM

Good luck with the next consultation! I hear ya when it comes to stretch marks up around the navel/waist area! With a TT, you'd lose a lot of the stretch marks, and the ones you have left will probably be lower, so a good surgeon can explain that to you, even during consultation. As for the hernia, yes, insurance should cover that part of the surgery, and since it would also include the hospital and anesthesia for the hernia, you may find that your only expense is the PS's fee. Now wouldn't that be a bonus?! LOL

And, regarding quitting smoking, yes, you do have to stop. They tell you to stop for any cosmetic surgery, usually two weeks before and after. However, with a TT, since a TT is more major surgery than many others, they will probably tell you to stop at least one month prior through one month after. (I've heard of some surgeons saying to stop a YEAR before a TT, although I think that's a little extreme, personally.) You really have to adhere to that, too...since the surgery is so invasive, and the scars so large, there is too great a chance of having skin literally die from the effects of smoking, instead of healing the way you should. It's not a pretty picture...I saw someone's pictures of it a year or so ago, and the incisions all turned black from too little oxygen, skin rotted, etc. There was more major surgery just to try to "fix" the damage that was caused from smoking, not from the actual TT. Not to scare you, exactly, just to make you realize the importance of quitting well before this particular surgery! Trust me, I know from experience it isn't easy, but you really do have to do your best to do it if you plan to have this surgery. GOOD LUCK!

threejs · 08-08-2001, 08:56 PM

thanks for the reply Dawn. I actually quit smoking 5 days ago. I really want this surgery. It sure would be an added bonus for the insurance to take care of the cost of all the other expences my pocketbook would be very happy lol. Do you know anybody who ever regreted having a tt done.