Question:
On Tummy Tucks: Why are some people more flat after a TT than others?
I had a TT (with lower body lift) on Dec. 19. I am happy with the results, but I'm not nearly as flat as some other two week post-op pictures I have seen. I have an e-mail friend who sent me her 5 day post-op pictures, and she is TOTALLY FLAT! I don't have that hanging skin anymore, but my stomach is more rounded, not flat. I'm not unhappy, I just want to be as flat as she is! Are some of us just made differently? Are our abdomens shaped in different ways? My surgeon said that in about two and 1/2 months he will go in and lipo any uneveness from the lower body lift, but will this help on my stomach as well? Does anyone else out there have less than a flat stomach after TT? Again - I'm still thrilled with what I have - just wanted a little more flatness! — raye (posted on January 7, 2004)
January 7, 2004
I had an anchor cut and horizontal as well as muscle tightening (full
abodminoplasty). But, i am not totally happy with the results! I only had
5 lb or less removed, too!!!! The upper abdomen has always been a little
loose - my surgeon says this is because he had to create an artificial
belly button unexpectedly b/c the blood flow to the umbilicus was involved
with the incisional hernia that was being repaired at the same time. Now,
my lower belly is too loose, IMHO. It doesn't 'hang', but I can pick skin
up, especially when sitting. It is slightly round when standing - but
pretty 'flat'. I don't mind a little roundness - I like that shape. But,
I DON'T like the extra skin when I sit (or bend over). My surgeon has
already agreed to a revision of the upper portion (going for that this
summer), but I will also insist on something being done to the lower
portion. It is tight in the middle, but looser around the sides (I have a
little 'dog ear' on either side, too). I think this is because my surgeon
was very conservative with the lower (horizontal) cut... he didn't even
extend it to my hips. It's like a c-section scar (and I have the vertical
up and down scar from the anchor incision). he said he would extend the
anchor up more to help correct the upper belly... I want some lipo or
something done to help the lower half as well. I personally didn't expect
to be totally flat or totally toned -- but I didn't want any skin that I
could pinch a significant amount of! Especially since I did not have a lot
removed! All the best, Teresa
— Teresa N.
January 8, 2004
Well, maybe your friend just didn't have as much swelling as you do. I have
read it can take as long as 6 months after a TT to see the final results,
so please don't be too discouraged right now. Also, like the previous
posters said, maybe the surgeon was being conservative and just didn't pull
as tight.
— Ali M
January 9, 2004
I was so glad to see this post !!!!
I had a full abdominoplasty 2 yrs. ago in March and I'm not happy with mine
either!! The first week or two, it was tight and flat. Then, I had a seroma
that had to be drained every few days (not fun) so it took longer to heal.
My surgeon said maybe the build-up of fluid made it harder for my new tight
abdominal wall to "lie down" flat like it should have. Makes
sense, but it doesn't really help me now, does it? He said he can go back
in and do some lipo to flatten it out, but I really don't want to go
through another surgery. Now, compared to pre-op where my tummy hung over
like an apron, it looks TONS better, BUT, it's not flat as a pancake like I
though it would be for $6.000 !!!!!! Insurance didn't pay.
So, what I have is a little "pooch" which looks like I'm 2-3
months pregnant all the time. I hate looking down and seeing that, or
seeing it in my clothes. It also gets really tight feeling and swollen
during the day - mostly at the end which I find strange this far out.
Im thinking of going for a second opinion to a different plastic surgeon to
see what can be done. Maybe I'll fix it one day, but who knows. I'm at goal
weight, but I'm trying to lose about 10 more lbs. in hopes of flattening
out my tummy!
Best wishes to everyone!
Michelle in Fl.
— michelle T.
January 13, 2004
I had a hip to hip abdominoplasty in August of 2002 and my stomach is as
flat as can be. I think a lot of it depends on your surgeon. My surgeon
wanted me to have a small belly so he really pulled the excess skin and cut
it so it would be really tight. I'm VERY thankful that he did. I also had
3 seromas that I had to have drained right after surgery but have still
maintained the look. I've not had any need for lipo.
— Patty H.
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