To Tuck or not to Tuck?

I had a 16 month checkup today and have been declared stablized and encouraged for hernia repair w/additional abdominplasty/tummy tuck, so there would be both vertical and horizonal cutting and excising.  Pictures were taken and the surgeon's office is submitting hte required info to my insurance to if and how much if yes, is covered versus out of pocket.  I was also told overnight at the hospital and 2-3 weeks to return to desk job work 4-8 weeks wearing compression garments for proper healing that includeds 2 drains. It would be nice to lose the flab there and raise things down below for better alignment with the stars,....hmmmmm,....but alas, I am hesitant.  Risk? Vanity? Anybody been there and have an opinion? 

I was in the same place last April . Dr Hutcher found a hernia and we decided that it was time to do something about it . He assured me that he could do the anchor cut , repair the hernia.  I prayed .. and was given the clearance from my Endo . So I did it .  Joe it was the best thing I had ever done . Except for my mother getting in the car crash that night on her way to see me at St. Mary's .. it has been the catylist for the rest of my plastics .  I can tell you in my honest opinion , that I feel better , I look better .. and my self esteem has been lifted .  It is a personal decision , and one that you need to be ready for .  The skin to me is a deformity left over from Obesity. I wanted it gone as it was a constant remider ..  The recovery is not that bad . The pain to me was not bad either . My arms hurt worse thatn the TT did .  I hope you get some answers .. and if you decide to pursue this , let me know if I can answer any questions .  Natalie

Thanks Tink.  This will probably be all I have done if I do it.  I can deal with the arm and thigh flaps and wasn't real concerned about this until I realized points south are raised with the loss of flesh.  An aspect I hadn't considered but would be really helpful.  Am I blushing yet??

well first let me say congrats to you on your 16 'months out Joe! I did have the hernia repaired when i had my lap band done but had nos plastic surgery since im only 2 wks and 2 days out thus far! I will pray for you and im sure whatever you deiced to do will be right when the time comes. God bless! BONNY>>nite owl 'hooty hoot! LOL

Good Morning Nite Owl.  Thanks for the stablizing kudos but I still have aspirations of losing another 30 lbs, even if it includes whacking any or all of it off.  I've already checked on compression garments I'd need for recovery.  Current waist size would require a large (40-42; I currently wear a 40),  if the doc cuts anything off, I'd need no more than a medium (36-38).  I haven't worn a meduim anything sice third grade and that was a "huskey" like "wide".  That would be way cool. But I'm not getting my hopes up or allowing myself a premature decision,......or am I?? 

Congrats Joe on the appointment and being stablized. And I had the panniculetomony where they removed the lower part (apron) from belly button down wow it was a huge relief to have it gone and the surgery and recovery in its self was not all bad. My question out there to whom ever wants to answer and Im not complaining at all, but  I was  a big girl and there are those of you that were  smaller than myself  with the hernia issues can someone tell me why some have these hernias and some dont? Or is this something I have to worry about later? Good luck Joe I think you will be pleased with which ever choice you select. 

Thanks for the insight. Vote infavor counted accordingly. I didn't really appreciate what was there until they had me put both hands down there and push up to my waist and hold it there for an insurance photo.  Whoa!  HELLO! Newsflash!!

Well you know I have, but I had a lower body lift with hernia repairs, so cutting was done very low for the lbl and very thin for the hernia.... one of the best things I ever did - made a much bigger difference than I could ever have dreamt..... However - the insurance only covered the hernia repair - the rest I had to pay for. Unless you have a history of rashes etc they generally do not like to pay..... I stayed in hospital overnight and took 2-3 weeks off of work - my opinion - the hernia repair was far more painful than the lower body lift. So to me it was small risk compared to the RNY, was nowhere near as painful as I expected and results were great!! Jackie

OK,..so another in favor of.   I should look so good that people will throw furs at me afterwards,... with High School letters?? Sorry, it was a good post to lurk on. Thanks for the responding and your input. 

Oh I could think of a letter for you ;-))