about the boobs and tummy tucks - ThinnerTimes

rgbmom1 · 10-16-2007, 10:45 PM

I dont have plans to do either right at the moment. My sister says thats a crazy notion and a big part of getting the surgery in the first place so i am curious to those of you that got them when did it cross your mind first? I told my sister jokingly that if i succeed enough to have some skin to roll up i would just roll it up into a new type of bra and have the boobs back if i lost them in the first place. I am 41 and welll plastics are just way too far off for me to grab at. I mean i feel you can be healthy without them correct? Its not something that i researched in the beginning so this may be the starting point. I am so fearfull of getting put to sleep and well my pain tolerance is going down as i get older. So i am interested in what you think.

MiladyB · 10-17-2007, 04:39 AM

Mandy, I'm just on the recovering end of a tummy tuck and a breast lift. I was about 15 pounds from my goal weight when I went for my first consultation with the plastic surgeon. I knew it would take awhile with the insurance so I started a bit early. I knew the recommendations from my bariatric surgeon and plastic surgeon were that I had to be at least 12-18 months post-op, preferably 18 months. And that my weight had to be pretty much stable for the previous 3 months. I was 20 months post-op when I had them done and I was down only 5 more pounds from when I had my consultation. I had both the tummy tuck and breast lift at the same time. I had to spend 3 nights in the hospital. For me the pain was bearable, actually less than I expected though much more than after the wls, which I had lap. The first couple of days were the worst and at 3 weeks post-op I do still take one Vicodan almost every day. Presently I'm having a lot of muscle spasms which I occasionally have a Valium for. He did some major abdominal muscle tightening so he said I would have these spasms for quite awhile. For me it isn't so much pain but my abdomen gets REALLY tight! I have developed one complication, which is a seroma. That is fluid collecting under the skin. My doctor had to draw off some of the fluid with a big needle yesterday. I know that sounds terrible but it really wasn't. You are pretty much totally numb down in your abdomen for a long time, so I didn't feel anything. I was just kind of crampy feeling all evening.

For me plastic surgery was the right decision but it is a very personal decision. I needed it mentally and physically. I was having back pain and neck pain because of the weight of the extra skin. Those have since resolved but also mentally I really needed this, just to feel "normal" about my body. There are parts of my body that really show the scars of weight loss. My legs are really bad but at this time I feel I've gotten all of the plastic surgery that I'm going to get. I feel good about myself and how I look and that is a new feeling for me.

I do have pictures in a private album on-line if you are curious. I am willing to share them with people but you have to know there are drains and all. This is a HUGE surgery, it was rough. I lost ALOT of blood and I am still struggling with energy but it was well worth it, for me. Physically and mentally I knew that I needed it for my well-being but each person has to make that decision for themselves.

ladytonya · 10-17-2007, 11:12 AM

When I started this journey, I thought about plastic surgery but thought that I would just workout and I wouldn't need it. Wrong! My stomach, my legs, and my boobs look awful. I wouldn't actually care about the appearance, my husband sure doesn't, but sometimes I am in pain. I get horrible rashes in the rolls of skin on my stomach, particularly in my belly button and in my groin area. A also get bad rashes under my boobs. Presently, I can't find a bra that fits and holds me where I'm supposed to be. Pre-op, I was wearing a 56DDD. Now, I'm wearing a 40DDD. I don't need to DDD for cup size, but to have somewhere to put all this damn extra skin. Unfortunately, I have to wear an extremely stretchy material and that provides absolutely no support, so even with a bra on my boobs are halfway to my waist. Would I change what I did because of these problems? Hell, no! I have lost 199 lbs. I have gone from wearing a 6X and a size 36 jeans to a 2X or XL and a 20 jean. No way would I go back to being 457. Even if I don't lose another pound, I'm happy. I'm only 10 months out so I know I'm not finished with the weight loss. I won't go for a PS consult until after I have at least one baby. Doc said I could try to get pregnant 18 months after surgery which will be June 2008. Getting PS before pregnancy would kind of defeat the purpose, but I know I'm going to have to do something. Some day, I will probably post my saggy skin pics, but not yet.

Anyway, definitely don't make plastic surgery completely not an option. Keep your mind open. Who knows, maybe you won't need it. There are people on here who have lost a lot of weight and look fabulous who haven't had to get PS. Everyone is different! Good luck!

P.S. Beth, you look FANTASTIC! I looked at your pics and they are absolute awe-inspiring!

MiladyB · 10-17-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladytonya

P.S. Beth, you look FANTASTIC! I looked at your pics and they are absolute awe-inspiring!

Oh Tonya, thank you so much. I am thrilled with the results of my plastic surgery and for me it was needed physically and mentally. As you, I was in pain. I know you aren't at the point that you will be getting plastic surgery but make sure you are documenting all of the rashes and pain that you are experiencing with your pcp. It will help in the long run when you go to see if insurance will cover any of this. The more documentation the better.

You are just doing SO awesome, Tonya...I am really SO PROUD of you!!

Mavisavis · 10-17-2007, 01:01 PM

I thought and wondered from before surgery. As time went I realized I wanted plastics for my mental health. Many do have medical complications if they do not have plastics, but that was not my case. I just felt it was something I needed to complete part of my journey and feel better about my new body. It's a very personal choice. I am very happy with my results....although I had to go back and have a second surgery to remove scar tissue in my breasts.

LisaM · 10-17-2007, 01:31 PM

It seems like much depends on how your skin reacts. I'm two years out, don't plan on having plastics, but I've been really lucky with skin issues. My arms aren't too bad, and my pannis (lower tummy) isn't nearly as bad as a lot of folks. My legs are the worst, but I wasn't exactly planning on wearing a bikini any time soon anyway... when I went swimming this summer, I bought a pair of boy's long swim shorts, and was very happy.

I can't emphasize enough that every single person is different--if plastic surgery is right for you, it's right, and you're the only one (along with your doctors) who can make that decision. For me it's not right as of right now, but I reserve to change my mind in future...

Jeri · 10-17-2007, 01:50 PM

I already need my boobs lifted so I can't imagine what it will be like after surgery & losing all that weight.

I haven't thought about plastics but I think it would be nice to have my boobs back where they are supposed to be.

As far as a flat tummy--I cannot even imagine that.

Nyn · 10-17-2007, 02:40 PM

I was like you in that I didn't go into this planning for plastics. I was told upfront by my insurance that Kaiser almost never pays for any plastic surgery. At the time, though, I was still wrapping my head around the fact that I might actually, really, truly lose a bunch of my weight, so plastics seemed waaaaay secondary. My goal has always just been to get rid of the extra person I've been carrying around the last several years, and that's all I focused on. Also, I had been told by another bariatric patient that she just exercised a lot and didn't need any plastics, so I thought maybe I could do that, too. Ha! So naive...

Anyway, it wasn't until I came to Thinnertimes that I discovered that almost everyone, no matter the amount of exercise, gets the extra skin after WLS. I have huge student loans from law school, so after a lot of thought I decided it would be nice if I could get something done eventually, but it might be awhile. Also, I guess we never know what or if we'll need something until we shed a bunch a pounds. So far, my skin is shrinking rather than sagging, but it is very, very early days yet. But...(drumroll) my mom told me last night that if I get to 175 that she'd pay for half of a tummy tuck

which was a huge happy surprise and very nice of her to offer. Since that is still 100 pounds away, we'll see if it happens...and if I can afford to pay the other half!!!

rgbmom1 · 10-17-2007, 04:44 PM

I have now moved it from the never ever to the might just be needed or a nice reward part of my brain. Beth i would love to see the pictures. Shows you how much i plan ahead i didnt even think about it being medically necessary. But to be honest loosing all this weight still seems so far away. though i am happy with the first 20 pounds in four weeks. You all are great.

VanessaSFL · 10-17-2007, 05:39 PM

I did ok in the skin area.I wear a bikini in public ..in fact my stretch marks are worse than my little panni..or my "panito" as Dyann calls it.

Arm ..good....thighs..ok....butt is good but is FLATTTTTT.

Now the ta ta's....look ok-In clothes..I will say that I tried on cocktail dresses here and there for the last few weeks and my chest depressed me.I HAVE TO 100% of the time wear a bra.I am maybe a 34b..down from a 44DDD.They are very 3rd world National Geographic looking.If I had the money,I would have them lifted.No doubt!

I have not been to a gym ,all I do is walk and I am very active at work..up and down ladders and walk walk walking all day long.

GL