WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Tummy Tuck - Body Lift

[rosstheboss 21]

Hi All, Well the time is getting closer for my Body Lift and I am of course freaking out a bit. Weight has been fairly stable but would like to loose a bit more before the Nov 1st date. I am scheduled for a body lift and I know it will be hard, I am concerned about the risk and if it is worth the money $12K etc.

My wife is also scared and concerned. I look OK but their are areas that no amount of weight loss will help with that. IE Hanging skin. love handles etc. I have been heavy virtually all of my life and for once would like to be relatively thin but part of me is thinking that an old fart like me (53) should even bother! Am I being selfish?

I would like to hear from anyone who has gone through this and if you would do it again?

[Twinkles 7]

Well, I just had a Tummy Tuck and breast lift on Thursday (Sept 1st) and I would do it again. I'm pretty sure anyways. I mean, I'm only 5 days out, the pain was not nearly as bad as I expected. I haven't had any pain meds since Sunday. Since my posture is rather hunched right now and I'm swollen like the dickens, I can't really comment on my results. He did remove 10 inches vertically of skin, so, I can't wait to see how that all looks. LOL.

[spoiltmom 44]

Well, I just had a Tummy Tuck and breast lift on Thursday (Sept 1st) and I would do it again. I'm pretty sure anyways. I mean, I'm only 5 days out, the pain was not nearly as bad as I expected. I haven't had any pain meds since Sunday. Since my posture is rather hunched right now and I'm swollen like the dickens, I can't really comment on my results. He did remove 10 inches vertically of skin, so, I can't wait to see how that all looks. LOL.

That is good to hear! I'm not sure what to expect in reference to the pain but hearing you say it's not as bad as you thought is awesome!

[sndycnrd 1]

I had a TT in May and I would definately do it again. The first week I had thoughts of "what have I done" but those quickly faded. I am 54 and I do not think we are too old. Yes, we should bother! I am so happy with the results that I am going to have my arms done in Jan. Before the TT I had never even thought of having my arms done. But I am looking forward to it now that I know what kind of results are possible.

"

[mauraclegg 29]

I just had my TT 8/26 and yes I would do it again - I am a 42 yr old wife and mother of 3 - and even after losing 98 lbs I felt bad about me: tbh I felt I looked worse than before surgery

Even now with done swelling and still wearing the binder I feel better

[mauraclegg 29]

I can add I was never in a yon of pain - on the 1-10 pain scale I was never higher than a 4.5. The worst was getting out of bed the next day. Was hunched for 2 days.

[spoiltmom 44]

I can add I was never in a yon of pain - on the 1-10 pain scale I was never higher than a 4.5. The worst was getting out of bed the next day. Was hunched for 2 days.

Only a 4.5 huh? Not too bad at all:)

[Ember532 0]

I just had a full, extended Tummy Tuck on 9/2/11, so I'm 2 weeks out and would definitely do it again. The only problem I had was a severe allergic reaction to a surgical adhesive they use to hold the tape down (over the incision). It's called Mastisol. I recommend that you find out if your surgeon will be using it. If so, see if he'll help you find out if you're allergic to it by doing a "test" on part of your body prior to surgery. I'm healing very nicely and the incision is healing so nicely that it looks like a little scratch around most of my body. I'm very pleased with the results and am down 2 sizes. I'm "somewhere in my 40s" and thought I was being selfish too, but now that I have the results and a FLAT TUMMY for the first time in my life, I know I did the right thing.

I hope you're comfortable with your surgeon. Mine was/is excellent and even called me from an airport while on vacation to talk to me about the allergic reaction and to reassure me that I'd be fine. I was very impressed. Most doctors just have their assistants call patients back. He's the greatest and I'd recommend him to anyone. He's creating a niche for himself in the St. Louis area as being "the guy" for body lifts, so if you're around here, I would recommend you talk to him!

Best of luck in your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted!

Be well.

[*KelseyLeigh* 0]

Who was your surgeon in st. louis? were they helpful with insurance coverage?

I just had a full, extended Tummy Tuck on 9/2/11, so I'm 2 weeks out and would definitely do it again. The only problem I had was a severe allergic reaction to a surgical adhesive they use to hold the tape down (over the incision). It's called Mastisol. I recommend that you find out if your surgeon will be using it. If so, see if he'll help you find out if you're allergic to it by doing a "test" on part of your body prior to surgery. I'm healing very nicely and the incision is healing so nicely that it looks like a little scratch around most of my body. I'm very pleased with the results and am down 2 sizes. I'm "somewhere in my 40s" and thought I was being selfish too, but now that I have the results and a FLAT TUMMY for the first time in my life, I know I did the right thing.

I hope you're comfortable with your surgeon. Mine was/is excellent and even called me from an airport while on vacation to talk to me about the allergic reaction and to reassure me that I'd be fine. I was very impressed. Most doctors just have their assistants call patients back. He's the greatest and I'd recommend him to anyone. He's creating a niche for himself in the St. Louis area as being "the guy" for body lifts, so if you're around here, I would recommend you talk to him!

Best of luck in your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted!

Be well.

[Ember532 0]

Who was your surgeon in st. louis? were they helpful with insurance coverage?

My insurance company explicitely excludes cosmetic surgery, so I didn't even ask them about it. I'm not even sure if they take insurance. The surgeon was Dr. Christian Prada with St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery. Best of luck to you.

[BarbBee 1]

I had a lower body lift January 2010 after losing 150+ pounds. I was 47 at the time. Yes, it was a lot of money but for me..emotionally, I can't imagine not having done it. I absolutely hated my flapping skin and it constantly got in the way during exercise. I would have a few other things done if I could afford it but the lower body lift gave me very dramatic results and I am really happy with my decision. The pain is manageable and short lived. The hardest part was no exercise for 6 weeks while healing. You have worked hard ..if this is what you want then do it!! Congratulations on your success!

[radarluv 59]

absolutely not. My LBL was the WORST decision I have EVER made. I have said so many times that I wish I could go back in time.

I am seven years out. The scar is horrifying. All weight gain went to upper body and I feel like a linebacker.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I say GO FOR IT !!!!!! im not even close to the point where i might be thinking of your type of surgery, but the part that got me was that you and i are the same age and both married , but you didnt think you should be even concerned with doing something like a body lift ,etc. Um........... well, why not ??? If you think you need it i dont think age or marital status should have any thing to do with it. How you feel about your body is very personal and if you're not comfy with it , well thats whats most important ! Your self esteem ! After my weight loss is done i will probably see a Dr to get rid of the spider veins etc that came with the weight gain. Do i think its neccesary ?? Damn right i do ! I want to look nice in a pair of just above the knees shorts and not have to hide my legs because of ugly veins . So i think you should do it ! Good luck and congrats on your weight loss !

[Jachut 487]

Overall, yes i would. But thats not an emphatic yes.

My Tummy Tuck was reconstructive, done to fix hernias and damage from bowel surgery and to rvise a keloid scar. My stomach was already flat, so i dont really have that WOW factor, it looks pretty great mow, but you know, with the 45 year old hips, thighs and breasts its actually a little TOO good, lol. My taut front doesnt match the saggy back.

I gained a bit of weight after, from not exercising, and i definitely have even more of a thigh problem thn i did, becase the weight doesnt go to my stomach any more.

And twelve weeks later i still have some pain and swelling, lthough i ran 13kms the other day, so its not debilitating.

But it is a BIG surgery and an expensive one. I think it hives you an awesome result, but it doesnt fix your body image issues or change your life - my sneaking thoughts about Lipo and breastwork have evaporated now that i have a realistic view of wht good results look like and that no matter what i will always be too much of a perfectionist to be satisfied with my body.

I think its fantastic if youre not expecting miracles!

[sakurah 2]

Having my TT done was the second best thing I did. Banding being the first. The results are amazing far better than I could have imagined!! Yes the scar is big, but as someone else once said, It is a smile on my tummy. With my knickers on or a bikini, yes I said bikini!! The scar is totally covered and at 49 I have a beautiful flat tummy and a belly button. My only regret is that it was not done 20 years ago.