Strivingforbetter

Has anyone had a Tummy Tuck without muscle reconstruction? Due to an incisional hernia repair I had 22 years ago, I'm not a candidate for muscle repair. One surgeon said that in pulling the muscles tight, it would make the mesh covering my hernia repair act like an accordion and cause chronic pain. However, I desperately want to rid myself of my abdominal overhang for a slimmer look in my clothes. I realize I might not have as tight of a stomach without the muscle repair, but I think it will make a world of difference to remove "the blob." I'm going in for a second consultation with a different surgeon next month. Anyone have this same issue?

I have had an Abdominoplasty with no tightening due to previous hernia repairs :-)
I had my hernia repaired normally - Without mesh - Then it came back in 2007 - So the second time it was repaired with mesh.
Then a few years after the hernia was fixed I had my Inverted T tummy tuck...... The surgeon said he tried to see what he could do - But had he repaired the muscle I would have been left with a lump down the middle. So he did not repair that - I am very happy! - There was virtually no pain after the op - Just tightness for a few days...
And that happened in 2010 and I am as happy today as I was after the op!
I attach a pic taken not long after the op...

And one of more recently... (2017 I think this one was)

I have noticed that a lot of belly buttons after surgery look like cats bums... lol
Here are two pre-surgery pics...


I really hope that this helps. Take these pictures with you to show the Dr if you need to - My mesh is quite large - 15cm x 20cm it said on a piece of paperwork I have - Unless they cut it smaller of course but I can feel it in me and it feels large!
Feel free to send me a PM and ask all the questions you need to. I am happy to help.
Suffice to say that it can be done - There is nothing to worry about - And I am so very happy with my results - This surgery was done in 2010 - My belly is as flat today as it was back then I think - Heck I'll go take a picture - Be right back...
OK - I am back........ (Few minutes later)
Here you go - Taken just now - The op was in April 2010 if I remember correctly..... This is today... Please excuse the marks from Jeans/Belt etc - LOL - Daughter said you won't be able to see my scar because of the Jeans having left marks.. Sorry about that......

I really hope that is of some help....
*Edit again*
I want to say here - That after you have this surgery (Or any surgery like this) - No matter what the Dr says - You get some 3M paper tape and you put it on and keep it on - Replacing it as needed etc - Every day - All day - All night - For THREE MONTHS - No matter what - Support the scar whilst it heals - Then your scar will be a lot less visible than mine is. I tested this through my surgeries after this one - And the other scars are much finer and better through being supported as they healed, and if I ever did this one again I would definitely support the scar (Or any scar) as it heals so it heals to a fine line without stretching a little like mine has :-)
The tape looks like this - It's cheap and worth ten times the price for a good scar :-)
https://www.medisave.co.uk/3m-micropore-skin-tone-surgical-tape-1-25cm-x-9-14m-x-24.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2rCVuODv3AIVDuWaCh01bQx2EAkYASABEgIkW_D_BwE

I know nothing about hernia mesh repairs, but 2nd opinions are always a good idea. Good luck with your inquiries and keep us posted.

I met my husband when I was 22 but we did not start dating until I was 25. At that time, I weighed 125-130. He was a former model and absolutely gorgeous. We were wildly attracted to each other. We married in 1984 when I was 26 and always had an active lifestyle (sailing, Water and snow skiing, tennis). I never had weight problems and we had a great relationship.
In my late 40s I begin to gain weight even though there were no changes in my diet or activity level. I had multiple appts. with my doctor to do testing (thyroid, cortisol)---all normal. I gradually got up to 220 which was unbelievable to me. At age 50 I started Atkins and lost 40 pounds in about 7 months. At age 51 I quit smoking after 33 years. Over the next few years my weight really shot up and my asthma got worse. I then, in 2014, was involved in a horrible car accident and sat in my house recovering from surgery and injuries for 4 months and then forced myself to return to work but I was unhealthy, obese and miserable. I hit my all time high weight of 290 pounds in November 2017. I had gained 165 pounds since we met...
Through all of this, he was and is my biggest supporter. Our relationship has suffered in every way because I was depressed, sick and felt so bad about myself. He has never gone a day without telling me that I am beautiful and he loves me. He has always said that the only thing that bothers him about my weight is that it makes me down on myself and limits/changes what activities we can do together. I do not believe this 100% but that is the type of man he is. We especially miss being able to take trips on the Harley, which we dearly love. Hopefully back to it soon.
He is thrilled with where I am at now, even though there is still a ways to go. I know our commitment is forever.

I would make sure to run into him in a killer little dress with the hottest man u can find...lol Then I would just happen to forget his name when introducing him to your date if he approaches.... We can always give karma a little help..haha

Thanks Ash .... you're right on every point.
What I tell myself is he had the absolute best of me for 7 years. And his embarrassment over my appearance mattered more to him than anything else. I can change my weight (and I am!), but he can't change his shallowness

Thanks @Chrisb428 ... I have to tell you I do have a fantasy of running into him in public, especially after I get my plastics, lol! Even better if I have a hot bf with me!

I'm reading people's confessions about eating two chicken nuggets, some fried rice from Panda Express, or maybe a little candy, and I'm thinking to myself that I'm the cheater of cheaters because all of this sounds so mild compared to my cheats. This is embarrassing, but here it goes: I polished off an entire Big Mac yesterday. Yep. Don't ask me how my stomach fit it all in because usually I can't eat that much, but I was hungry. Didn't drink with it or have anything else with it, but polished that sucker off all by myself. That's a first since my surgery a year ago. A part of me feels I should be terrified I was able to do that. I'm not doing it again because that's what got me where I was before my surgery. Yes, I feel ashamed.

I have personally never seen people break up solely because of weight gain or loss, there always seems to be a different problem lurking in the background and this is the easier thing to pick as the motive (even when its closely related its usually health issues caused by it)
People who want to be together find ways of making it work and last in healthy balanced ways.
Others can't wait for a legitimate "looking" reason to escape without seeming like the villain.

Forgive yourself and move on. Start fresh today.

🤣🤣🤣

@Matt Z I'm a planner, so I wouldn't get this done until next summer. I also want to try and lose another 10-15 pounds before then, but I want to know my options and pricing. I've considered going to Mexico to save costs, but it scares me to death. My luck, I'd be one of those patients who ends up on a TV show of plastics gone wrong. Anyway, thank you for replying. Glad to see I'm not the only one considering this option. By the way, there is a surgeon in Texas who feels that the muscle reconstruction is actually not really necessary and unduly painful for the patient. He always does tummy tucks with the repair. I thought that was interesting.

I drink diet soda too. A lot less than I used to, but I need that caffeine pick me up. We are naughty naughty girls

Oh sleeve sister you got this. I have 4 children one has a disability and needs me 24/8. I have nurses in my home all day everyday, my husband works everyday of the week. Still had to cook, clean and find the time to take a break on top of work and studying but you know what I’m pulling it off. I’m kicking responsibilities butt 4 days post!

I had my revision one year ago today. I’m shocked and amazed at the changes that have occurred this year. My boobs have disappeared, I lost a lot of hair... but more importantly I’m no longer overweight. I still have a belly (and lose skin) but I’m learning to love myself just as I am. I’m so thankful to be on this road.

Now I just need to get my butt back in the gym, good news is that it is within walking distance now.

No regrets. ❤️

SW: 300 / CW: 169.8
I’m down only about 8lbs from my last surgiversary but that’s ok I never thought I’d hit onederland, much less maintain 165-170lbs at 5’11” for a year!

The past two years haven’t been exactly what I’ve expected—for example, I’m not suddenly in love with what I see in the mirror, still have a long way to go mentally—but this surgery gave me my life back. I was one of the luckier ones who went into this with no comorbidities so my health is about the same as it was but my quality of life is so vastly improved.

Next stop: hopefully getting some of this skin removed

I haven’t been super active during maintenance but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here who’s offered support and advice!

I have never thrown up and I'm a year post-op. I've heard bypass patients sometimes throw up, but I don't think I've heard of this being common among other WLS patients. I do get diarrhea if I eat too many sweets, but that's it. I can't imagine passing out. I can see why your wife was concerned, but I don't think passing or throwing up are the norm.

I have never thrown up and I'm a year post-op. I've heard bypass patients sometimes throw up, but I don't think I've heard of this being common among other WLS patients. I do get diarrhea if I eat too many sweets, but that's it. I can't imagine passing out. I can see why your wife was concerned, but I don't think passing or throwing up are the norm.

I have never thrown up and I'm a year post-op. I've heard bypass patients sometimes throw up, but I don't think I've heard of this being common among other WLS patients. I do get diarrhea if I eat too many sweets, but that's it. I can't imagine passing out. I can see why your wife was concerned, but I don't think passing or throwing up are the norm.

Anyone tried this? The before and after shots of coolsculpting/body contouring look amazing. I don’t deal well with anathesia and surgery and I’m wondering if this could be a good option?
I was thinking of just trying it on my arms to see if it helped. I suspect my stomach needs a Tummy Tuck.

The fear is normal. But I always asked myself, “would you rather die because of your obesity or do you want to die on the table trying to save your life?”
yes that may see morbid or weird, but that’s what I asked myself. I took my chances twice and came out on the better side.
You too will come out of this on the right side. Good luck

My transfer addiction is shopping to the point where I couldn't find anything in my closet when I went looking for it. I've purged my old clothes and bought a shoe rack so everything looks tidy and even organized my jewelry. It's motivating me to really question if I want to mess all of that up with bringing in something new because now I can actually find something when I go looking for it. It's very satisfying to buy size medium tops instead of 1x or 2x, so I have to do self-talk that I really don't need another top. Things look so much better on my frame now, so shopping is a joy. I have noticed that the lack of cushion on my tush makes hard seats miserable, but I'm so much happier overall (and yes I experienced my fair share of stalls along the way, ugh).

I don't know how to edit. That is supposed to say I am at my goal weight! Don't know where Michael came into this conversation! LOL!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

I am now 13 days post op. I feel good. Yesterday I weighed in at 203 - not bad at all. I had my first follow-up last Wednesday, 7/18. Everything checked out fine, and I was given the green light to move to soft foods. And, because shrimp is easily digestible, I was also given the "ok" to eat this - and I had no issues with it (had it for lunch and dinner that day). It feels so good to be eating real food again. My current goal is 30g of Protein per day, but I've been getting closer to 40 and going to take in more protein Water to get it even higher. Per doc's instructions, I will start lifting 5 lb weights for my arms to build some muscle. I've been getting in my water a lot easier now - meeting my 64 oz daily goal.

No pre-op diet required by my surgeon, and I've been successful with my weight loss.