Had my tummy tuck

I am post tummy tuck one week today (well exactly today- Friday October 5th was my surgery) I had it done at Hartford Hosp with Dr Castiglione. Dr Castiglione is the best in plastics- his reputaion is impeccable. And as expected he did an incredible job. Pulled my abdominal muscles together, nice and tight- My belly is one flat firm surface. It is amazing to just stand in front of the mirror and stare at it.  It truly is amazing to think just about 2 years ago I was at the beginning of this journey- awaiting my gastric bypass with Dr Aranow and now here I am 150 pounds lighter, wearing a size 10/12, flat bellied, and happy as can be..... I could not have fathomed some of the emotional/psycho-social changes that have transpired and the ensuing turmoil/chaos some of it has caused in my life and my family's life- but we are all working thru it....I have grown out of love with my husband and fallen in love with another man....and the relationship i share with him is like nothing i have ever experienced.  I did not mean for this to happen but it has...and it's incredible. I am working on balancing the obligations of my kids against the new found happiness I have and learning how to work it all out. Without all the support and psychological work I did pre-op I dont know that I'd have the tools I need to handle this situation. I truly am blessed to have had Dr Aranow and his team of amamzing people as well as evveryone here to get me to the place in my journey where I could handle all this drama. WELL back to the TT- I actually agreed to leve the drains in for a bit more- here's where i was a bad girl - i let myself be lazy and not take the MultVits with Iron as I should- my hematocrit is low as usual - but now really low- 29 and Dr C would not even have operated had he caught that before he already had made the first cut....boy did he ream me out post op.....ANYRATE because of the anemia- I am third spacing fluid (when it goes into tissue instead of bloodstream)  and therefore draining a lot from the drains....so morale of the story  people- take your vitamins and iron and stay in the normal range on the H an H .....

Congrat's on getting that TT done. I must be great to see a flat tummy now. I am seeing Dr. Castiglione in Dec for a consult. Were you able to get the TT covered with insurance? Also how long after you met with the Dr. were you able to be schedualed for surgery? Thanks in advance for any info. Sher

I got the TT partially covered by insurance Aetna actually confounded him and denied what he thought they'd pay and paid for the panni part of it- despite any history of skin rashes infections caused by the hanging skin but good enough for me- if you want any photos let me know i'll privately email you. I still have two drains in- and they will be in until at least Monday if not Thursday at the rate I am draining. I was anchor cut - sternum to pubis and hip to hip along the bikini line- he really pulled the muscles tight- let me tell you it's nice to finally look in the mirror and see that YES I did lose that much weight....I am totally floored by how it looks

How much weight did you lose before they would do the TT also was it you who checked into it or did your wls dr tell you to go for it...I am trying to get the apron taken off  I went from 297-230 and I have a very heavy apron it is pulling me forward. Please give me any info you have. Thanks 

you ideally should be done with your weight loss for a good 6 months prior to the surgery You should be at least 18 months out or so before doing  it. If done too soon you will just lose more weight and end up back at square one.  I haven't tried one of these- but I hear they are good for the gastric bypass patient who has lost a lot like you, and has issues with the hanging flabby skin-  http://www.slendertouch.com/index.htm    It might be something to try. I was 311 at my highest- I am 165 now, well pre-op to the TT I was I am sure after I lose all the retained fluid and go thru the healing process I will have lost more than the 5 pounds of excess tissue Dr Castiglione removed. I was "an ideal patient" He remarked I had essentially no fat  in the tissue- is was all skin- made me feel good- also means I waited a good enough length of time- I do still have plump legs and hips- unfortunately a car accident put a hold on my exercise abilities Once I heal (6 weeks out) and my back decides to cooperate- I will return to the gym to work the lower body specifically and hopefully firm the legs and butt/hips up. The other surgery I'd like to consider is the bat wings on the arms. They need to go. But its winter now- so it's not so annoying- get to hide them under long sleeves LOL so they don't flap around....On another note- assuming you want Dr Castiglione to do your surgery- he has a 6 month wait list for initial consultation you may want to consider making an appointment in the next few months so you can plan to get in at about 12-15 months out Booking for surgery- I would say any where from 3- 4 months after the initial consult you can get a date- so if you are in a tad early its okay- you simply cll back and book the surgery when you are ready. His office handles insurance issues. It really is an arbitrary thing whether or not insurance covers the panni removal. If you have a hernia it helps - it gets OR / Anesthesia time paid for. I told Dr Castiglione I lifted all the hevy patients heavy object I could find using the worst body mechanics I coulod to try to pop a hernia- nothing LOL. Oh well- they actually paid for the panni removal- so I ended up paying about 50%- which came to just under 4K between him and the hosp/anesthesia. Well worth the money indeed

 Hi  "Momo " Congrats on the Tummy Tuck ! I started using  Neosporin on the incision after the tape fell off and it really helped heal up the scar very nicely. Can barely  see it. ! Those drains were a real pain in the butt.  Was so glad to have them removed. You take care and heal  up. Its takes quite some time for the numbness to go away. I am almost a year out and still a little numb  right in front where the made my new belly button, Gotta say it took a while to get used to the view when I looked down. Had been a long time since I had seen my feet ! Again best wishes and a speedy recovery ! :

Joanne- wait AS LONG AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY WAIT- until you think it'simpossible to stand it any more- then wait another 3 to 4 months!   For the best results you should be at or close to your ideal weight but also STABLE in your weight loss for a good amount of time (6 months would be nice, longer is better)  The longer you wait, the better your results.  After all- you don't want to have to keep on going back for revisions and taking chances under anesthesia. In the mean time- get a good undergrament for support (AKA girdle!) it will be your saviour!  Also- exercises to strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture will do wonders- yoga or pilates are great for this. Hang in there- I know it's hard to wait- esp. when someting causes you discomfort!

Hey girl! Congrats on your TT!   REWARDS of hard work!  Re: your anemia and your low hematocrit levels. They say that medical people make the worst patients! Love though, that you call yourself out on it. A good reminder for me to get back on the stick with my supps! Been a bit lazy of late. Yo Towanda!  Walk the walk! Always good to hear your vibrant voice here. Enjoy your  new bod! T. 

Congrats on the TT Momo.

Congrats on your tranformation(s)!   I have to tell you that I HOPE I was the one *****commended Dr. Castiglione to you.  I ADORE him.  He is just top notch in terms of care and skill.  He did my surgery, and I could not be happier.  He's done 2 of my friends as well.  Excellent work all around.

Anyway- I also wish you the best of luck with your family situation.  I was divorced post WLS.  I know how difficult it can be.  Thankfully I didn't have to deal with kids though. Hang in there & positive thoughts. Best regards,