So, I'm getting to the point where I'm considering a tummy tuck. What's left of my stomach is mostly just deflated skin (looks ICKY) and when I pull my loose skin up, I have a nice, taut waistline... under the skin! I know that loose skin won't go away (it's hard to get rid of at 22, and I just turned 42!) without surgery, so... I'm biting the bullet. I'll probably wait till summer is over (since I don't want to be laid up recovering during the few very nice weather days we get here in Seattle), so I'm guessing that I'll go under the knife in the fall or early winter.

I need recommendations for a good plastic surgeon in the Seattle area. Anyone know of any that they've had good experiences with?

Questions:

1. If my abdominals are crazy-strong (they are; it's not a slack muscles thing) do they always have to rebuild the muscle? Or could it simply be cutting off the loose skin and the last of the fat? I'm hoping I can avoid the muscle cutting and stitching because it will increase the risk and recovery time.
   
2. Almost all of the fat left around my midsection is in the "flanks" area in the back -- towards the side, right above my hipbone over my butt. Does the tuck remove this, or do I have to lose this last bit of stubborn fat before the tuck?
   
3. Will the tuck pull the skin on my upper torso/legs and thighs a little taughter? I'm considering the "full lower body lift" procedure but I know very little about it.
   

Thanks in advance!

When I spoke to a surgeon here in the LA area I told him I still wanted to have kids and all that and he said they can do a tummy tuck without tightening the muscles and sometimes they do that anyway. For me, it was so I could still have that flexibility when it came to getting pregnant.

I was told that usually people get some little lip around the hip area to smooth it all out as well. My mum got a tuck and didn't and she has a little bit of fat still there that bulges out a bit.

Not sure about the thigh area but I know it pulled my mum's pubic region higher and more taught which helped her upper legs a bit too so possibly.

Thanks for the info!

My surgeon for my sleeve is Dr. Srikanth in Federal Way at St. Frances hospital. He also does the tummy tuck and from what I hear very good. I have my surgery Aug 1st and I know if I need the tummy tuck I would go back to him. Good Luck!

Dr. Gottlieb came to a support group meeting a few month ago and told us all about the different procedures available, how plastics work, etc. He is in Seattle and here is a link to his website. When the time comes I think I may be giving him a ring as well lol.

http://www.plasticsurgeryseattle.net/

I've had two surgeries with Dr. Mary Lee Peterss in Seattle and I have arms and legs planned for December. She's fantastic and amazingly humble to boot. I took 6 monthe to decide and met with Dr. Dry, Dr. Egrari and a couple others. Dr. Peter's afters just looked better, especially breast lifts. Mine are frankly the best I've ever seen, very natural. Overall my results far exceeded my expectations as did the care. And she's cheaper than the others too. Can't wait to do the rest.