Tummy Tuck forums are places to ask questions and get answers to all your tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) questions. Feeling a little bit shaky about your decision to have a tummy tuck? Get support and advice from people that have already gone through it. In our forum there is nothing to join. Feel free to learn as much as you can about tummy tucks and what they are like. Please remember that when visiting any tummy tuck forum and message boards you are generally reading the advice and experiences of individuals, not doctors. The information may be wrong or simply the opinion of the writer but it will usually provide incite into the subject matter and perhaps initiate questions and concerns that you should discuss with your doctor.
What is a tummy tuck?
Tummy Tuck (also known as Abdominoplasty) is an elective cosmetic surgery of the abdomen needed to remove excess skin and fat (saggy skin and wrinkles) and tighten the skin over the stomach. It is the only known remedy to remove baggy skin that is so stretched out that that it has lost elasticity and no amount of exercise or proper nutrition can restore it.
What Is The Risk In Dying From A Tummy Tuck?
Submitted by: Ester
I am dreaming of having a Tummy Tuck since my abdomen looks as that of a pregnant women. After having two children, my perfect slim tummy became that of an 8 months pregnant lady. I haven’t had sex for nearly a year. This is taking all my confidence away. I feel really embarrassed of having sex. I have a beautiful body except my tummy, a side 12 on a side 18 waste. I would like to know what are the risks of dying during Tummy Tuck. I am particularly scared of Aorta been accidentally burst during surgery. Can you please tell me what are death rates and risks? Thanks.
Ester
RESPONSE
Date: 03/10/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Ester,
Before I had my tummy tuck I spent hours on the internet trying to find out what the official statistics were for deaths and complications associated with tummy tuck surgery. I didn’t have much luck. I even asked my plastic surgeon about it, but he could not (or would not) give me a clear cut answer. He basically told me the same thing as I wrote in Tummy Tuck Complications and Risks. From what I understand, one of the biggest risks associated with tummy tucks or from any type of serious surgery is from the anesthesia. The LA Times had a good article on it. It can be found here.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/19/news/He-closer19 Burst Aorta?
Out of curiosity I did a quick search for “aorta ” & “tummy tuck” and did not find much. This indicates to me that it isn’t much of a concern to the average healthy individual having a tummy tuck or there would be loads written about it. Your doctor or surgeon can best answer your concerns about bursting your aorta.
If you haven’t done so already, why not find a good plastic surgeon and go for a tummy tuck consultation? The consultation is fairly inexpensive or free and you can get reliable first hand answers to all of your questions and to put you at ease. Be sure to find a Good Plastic Surgeon.
Good luck.
Tanner
Tummy Tuck Stitches Are Missing
The following question from our forum is from a woman who had a tummy tuck one year ago, then had another tummy tuck to correct the bad results from the first one. During the second operation the surgeon could find no evidence of prior sutures in the abdomen. She is trying to find out why.
Date: 03/12/2010 Submitted by: Delia
Hi, my question is regarding a Tummy tuck that I had a year ago. I had to redo it because The results were awful. When the second plastic surgeon went in to tight my muscle he didn’t find any evidence of suture, so he has to tight my muscles again. So in this case, what could happened. When I asked the first surgeon he said that he used absorbable suture. Is this makes any sense? Can this be possible? Please, help me with this matter. I feel frustrated. Thanks. Delia
RESPONSE
Date: 03/12/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Delia,
I know very little about the surgical use of sutures but as I understand it most surgeons use a combination of absorbable and permanent sutures for tummy tuck surgery. Absorbable sutures for surface/skin sutures and permanent sutures to tighten muscles. That would make sense.
Out of curiosity I did a little research and found the following that may provide additional information.
“Normally, permanent sutures are only used inside to hold the muscle in place. Generally, skin sutures are dissolvable.”
http://www.realself.com/question/permanent-visible-sutures-for-tummy-tuck
Many surgeons refer to “tightening of the muscles”. This is in fact never done during a tummy tuck. Rather, the fascia, the tough lining of the muscles, is tightened. http://www.realself.com/question/no-muscle-tightening-after-tummy-tuck
http://www.realself.com/question/tummy-tuck-re-tighten-abdomen-muscles
I can see why you are frustrated. You are probably thinking.. Did my first surgeon make a mistake and use the wrong type of suture? Did he just not suture my stomach muscles and lie about it later?
You may never know. Even if he did use absorbable stitches to tighten you muscles, or for that matter did not tighten your muscles at all, it may not be “legally wrong” and that choice may be at the discretion of the surgeon. What does your second surgeon say about this?
If you don’t get a clear cut answer and you really want closure on this it seems like you have a long road ahead of you. Consulting with other surgeons (your only real source of medical expertise), checking into the background of the first surgeon (for previous lawsuits and malpractice) then if appropriate, contacting lawyers to see if you have any legal recourse can extend your frustration for months or years. Is the time spent, money spent, sleepless nights and additional frustration worth it? Good luck.
Tanner
Do I have A Tummy Tuck Infection?
The following question from our forum is from a woman who had a tummy tuck and now sees some small seedy-like substance in her surgical drains. She is wondering if this is a sign of infection or if it is normal.
Date: 03/14/2010 Submitted by: Marilyn
Today I noticed some small seedy-like substance in my drainage tube, like possible puss, which concerns me for infection from my tummy tuck. I’m taking my antibiotics faithfully…my pain is minimal…do you think this is normal or infection?
RESPONSE
Date: 03/14/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Marilyn,
When I had my tummy tuck I didn’t see any pus or seedy-like substance. I do remember seeing some small globules of “stuff” mixed with red drainage fluid the day after my surgery (maybe even the second day). It depends on what you mean by “some” and how long after surgery this is happening. Your best bet to give you peace of mind would be call your surgeon (most likely his nurse). I am sure they gave you emergency contact numbers. Good luck.
Tanner
Too Many Tummy Tuck Complications?
The following question from our forum is from a woman who wants a tummy tuck but wonders if she is a good candidate to have the operation. She is 61 years old, has had several abdominal surgeries which left many scars, has elevated blood glucose levels and has been diagnoses with peripheral neuropathy.
Date: 03/15/2010 Submitted by: Sherry
I am a 61 yr. old female with a weight loss so far of 75 lbs. and plan to lose a maximum 30 more lbs. I weigh 161 right now. I have had several abdominal surgeries gastroplasty 30+yrs ago with a vertical scar about 12 inches long midline and two vertical scars about 8 inches for non cancerous tumor removal from uterus and later a total hysterectomy (same) scar area, tissue healing always went well last surgery was when I was 47 (14 years ago) I now have been diagnoses with peripheral neuropathy and have numbness in hand and feet but have been on Gabapentin for a year with some improvement. My blood glucose levels are a little elevated but not diabetic. Will this neuropathy be a problem? Will my age be a problem? I Would like to do this in the next 18 months or so as I want to make sure my weight stabilizes. I exercise daily. and have used the “Weight Watcher” program to drop this weight over the last 14 months and foresee completing this weight loss within the next year. Am I a good candidate for this procedure? I already have so much loose skin on my breasts, tummy buttocks inner thighs. Thank you for answering my questions.
RESPONSE
Date: 03/15/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Sherry,
With your medical history and current condition I could not even attempt to provide an opinion whether you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. The research that I did before I had my tummy tuck did not even come close to addressing your concerns. Only a doctor or surgeon can answer these for you (same old story).
I don’t think your age will have as much effect on the decision though. I read somewhere that the oldest patient that one surgeon performed a tummy tuck on was in her 70’s.
I think it’s good that you a planning, exercising and taking your time to lose the weight. Getting yourself into good shape before a tummy tuck is the best thing you can do. If you’re lucky, the daily exercise and good eating habits will remain with you well after the tummy tuck and will keep the weight from returning. Sorry I could not answer your medical questions.
Good luck.
Tanner
Tummy Tuck Success
Angie Way to go!! Keep up the good work. You look great! Angie, Thank you. Before I had to worry about losing weight. Now I have to worry about keeping it off. Best regards, Tanner
No Belly Button After Tummy Tuck
The following post from our forum is from a woman who tells us that losing a belly button from a tummy tuck operation is not that uncommon.
Date: 03/17/2010 Submitted by: Christy
Actually they can remove the belly button. I just left the PS and he told me that my belly button won’t make it. I would have to lose the belly button in order to do a tummy tuck. Also, that it is more common than you would think. I spoke to a friend on the way home and she had known someone who lost theirs in a tummy tuck.
Christy
RESPONSE
Date: 03/17/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Christy,
I never heard that before. My plastic surgeon never even brought up the possibility that could happen. Even if he did, I probably would have proceeded with the tummy tuck. Nobody would know I didn’t have a belly button since I have a shirt on 99.99% of the time.
Out of curiosity I did some research and it looks like the actress Patricia Heaton, the wife on the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond actress” may have lost hers in a tummy tuck too. At least that’s what some web sites imply.
Good luck.
Tanner
FOLLOW-UP
Thanks! The Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova lost hers, too. Maybe it’s not so bad!!! Good luck, Christy
BTW, I didn’t realize your forum was for men, my diastasis and umbilical hernia is due to childbirth.
Exercising After A Tummy Tuck
The following question from our forum is from a man who is thinking of getting a tummy tuck but would like to know how soon he can return to strenuous exercise after the tummy tuck.
Date: 03/22/2010 Submitted by: Spaddict
Hi, Thanks for your website it’s just what I was looking for. I am also going to be having the Tummy tuck in the next few months after losing 140 lbs. My main concern was how soon I can return to strenuous exercise. Unlike you I like it very hard. It just does it for me and keeps me interested in the sport of seeing how far I can push my body now that I am fit for the first time in my life. I totally agree with the loud music while exercising I cannot train without it. How long was it till you were allowed to go into the pool? Does being in the pool for a long time (60 Minutes) maybe prevent scar healing as good? Cheers.
Spaddict
RESPONSE
Date: 03/22/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Spaddict,
I had my tummy tuck in December and even though I live in Florida, going into the pool wasn’t high on my list of things to do because the pool water was way too cold. April is the earliest I go into the pool so I can’t give you a good answer. 4-6 weeks would be my guess but that’s just a ball park guess. I would think that even if you asked your surgeon he would not be able to give you a definitive answer and would say it would depend your level of healing and medical condition at the time.
With regard to staying in the pool for a long period of time preventing or delaying scar healing, you would have to ask a doctor but I personally would not think so. If I would have gone swimming, after I got out I would have showered with fresh water, washed the wound area with antiseptic soap, dry, then coat the wound/incision area with a layer of Neosporin and wrap it with gauze (I used toilet paper/paper towels after I ran out of gauze) followed by the compression bandage. You can buy anti-scarring gels but I found that they are too expensive for the small amount that you get. I purchased some and used it but I couldn’t tell you if it worked better than Neosporin or Vaseline petroleum jelly.
Right after the tummy tuck is not the right time to see how far you can push your body. It may be hard for you to do, but you may have to curb your enthusiasm for strenuous exercise and start out slow letting you body and your surgeon tell you how far to push it.
Going into the pool is one thing. Swimming is another. Any form of exercise that will tug or pull on your wound area is bad and swimming seems like an unavoidable way of pulling at these areas. The last thing you want to do is to hurt yourself and hamper your recovery (especially after all the work you did to get there).
The good thing I found after I had my tummy tuck is that I could do lots of exercises and weight lifting that did not affect my stomach or waist area. I could lift dumbbells to exercise my hands, arms and shoulders as much as I wanted. I wouldn’t think that your surgeon would have any objections to that as long as you didn’t overdo it.
It’s great that your doing all this exercise before your tummy tuck. I firmly believe that it is one of the reasons that my recovery went so well. Good luck.
Tanner
When To Have A Tummy Tuck
The following question from our forum is from a man who is planning to have a tummy tuck and is wondering when is the best time to have one?
Date: 03/23/2010 Submitted by: Spaddict
Hi, One last question I wanted to ask you was did you have the operation in the winter intentionally? People around me are telling me to wait till its winter because it will easier on me comfort wise but I would like to do it in the next 3 months or so or at least as soon as my Medical Insurance can schedule me in. I was quite surprised to find out that it was covered by them as sort of a thank you for losing all the weight and saving them loads of other medical bills in the future. I had to get through some red tape but it was worth it because as you mentioned in your reasons for having a Tummy tuck its “not much of a reward from all that hard work and discipline” and I could not agree with you more and wish to close this circle already and finish the job to finally see myself as a thin and most important healthy person. Thanks again for the great website you have covered areas I would not have even thought of for good preparation before I have it. All the best.
Spaddict
RESPONSE
Date: 03/23/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
Spaddict,
I did not intentionally wait until Winter to have my tummy tuck. I was just “ready” at that time. I don’t really understand why your friends say it may be easier for you “comfort wise” but I guess that would depend on your particular living circumstances (hot days and nights, if you have air conditioning or not, etc.). Even if it would cause a little bit more discomfort, I would have probably proceeded without waiting just to get it over with and move on with my life (unless there was a medical reason to wait). Waiting would have been very hard to do.
I think that is great that your Medical Insurance will cover your tummy tuck. I sure wish mine would have but it was still worth the cost.
One suggestion - Do everything you can to prepare for your tummy tuck.(Sound like you are already doing it though).
This might not be a problem for you but one of the biggest concerns about having a tummy tuck for me was the worry and the fear of the unknown going into it. I found that by doing everything that I could to get into shape, eating nutritionally balanced meals, taking vitamins and making all the preparations that I could gave me a sense of achievement and a feeling that I was ready for it. Also, be sure to do a good job in researching your surgeon and the facility where you will have your tummy tuck. Along with being the smart thing to do it will give you a “good feeling” that you will be treated by fully trained and competent professionals and will help to give you “peace of mind” going into it. Being mentally prepared for me was very important. After it’s all over and if you have the time and if you remember I would be curious to know how it went for you. Best of luck.
Tanner
Tummy Tuck Thanks
Gavin It’s people like you that keep me going! Thanks so much for the info about tummy tucks and your tricks to get and stay slim. I wish there were more people like you who are willing to help others. take care and GOD BLESS. Gavin, Thank you. When I began documenting my weight loss and experience I never dreamed that I would publish it on the internet. It was much too personal. It wasn’t until later when I realized that all of the research I did as well as the experience that I went through might be helpful to others. Best regards, Tanner
Finding A Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon For Men
The following question from our forum is from a man who was looking for more information about tummy tucks for guys and how to find a good plastic surgeon to perform the operation.
Date: 03/29/2010 Submitted by: Unknown
Hi. I’m another guy (27 years old; lost over 100 pounds) thinking about doing this. Thanks a lot for posting your story.
Have you come across any similar sites/stories/posts/blogs from guys? I see a lot from women, but I’d like to know what other men went through, and I know everyone is different. Also, if you found any good resources for doctor reviews, I’d be interested- I’ve found a few sites but just a few comments. Thanks again- it’s good to hear from someone who has done this before.
RESPONSE
Date: 03/29/2010 Submitted by: Tanner
I haven’t seen or read about any other men’s experiences with tummy tucks. I have seen a couple of television shows about people losing weight then undergoing tummy tuck surgery (including some guys) but I have found nothing on the internet.
Tummy tucks for men do seem to becoming more “acceptable” and common place. In the next few years we will probably see more and more stories and information about them. I recently received an email from a television producer’s assistant (from England) if they could use some of my before and after photos in a new prime time television series they are producing this summer. So the interest is out there.
As far as finding good sources for doctor reviews, not really. It would have been nice to be able to find one site that you could trust to have all of the information (good and bad) about a surgeon as well as the facilities that he uses, but I couldn’t find it. I don’t think there is an easy way to find a good surgeon. After I went to a few consultations (to get a variety of opinions and to gain as much information as I could) I selected the one that I liked best. My decision was based on his facility, personnel, background and experience, certifications, pictures of his previous patients, professionalism, and his willingness to answer my questions.
After I selected the surgeon that I liked best, I spent hours on the internet using all of the different search engines trying to find out any information that I could on the guy. I tried all of the variations of his name in my search.
Having found only good things and no “bad information” about the surgeon, I paid for two background checks using two different online background services. I would tell you which companies I used, but I can no longer find the reports. Just do an internet search for “surgeon background check”. I was particularly looking for malpractice law suits and patient complaints against the surgeon. Finding his education, credentials and experience is easy. The bad stuff is harder to find.
Good luck with your decision. I know there is a lot of “thinking” for you to do. It’s a scary decision, but I a definitely happy that I chose to have it done.
Tanner
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