Tummy tuck?

[1day@atime]

I want a tummy tuck! I think.. ..! Actually though, what I would really like is to hear from someone who has lost a great deal of weight and find out if it is possible to exercise my way back to a semi-flat tummy without surgery!!

I've had two surgeries, a C-section and a hyst. where they went in at the same location.... and arg! I know there's a lot of weight for me to lose but I was watching television and saw some of the people who had lost a lot of weight and ohhh dear, I don't want all that sagging, bagging, stuff. As hard as it is for me to admit I think I'd rather be fat than have all that loose stuff hanging everywhere, I can see why those particular people chose surgery.

I know this is getting long but... I'm really not that vain of a person, (I guess that's obvious since I have let myself get to this weight!) It's just, my spouse absolutely hates the idea of the risk of any type of unnecessary surgery and I, after watching that show, am already trying to find ways to put back the money to have the surgery done!

And so, someone who lost a lot of weight, or knows someone who did, can all the loose skin be exercised off, firmed up, etc., is surgery just a short cut??

[Jasmain]

Re: Tummy tuck?

I've never had had a tummy tuck, but I thought I'd come in and lend my support! I can totally understand your not wanting to be left with saggy skin! I'm curious to see what other poeple say about it. And here's hoping your problem with that is minimal!

[Heidi3]

Re: Tummy tuck?

well I can tell you tummy tucks sound nice but they are a major and quite painful abdomiinal surgery with a slow recovery time...can have a lot of complications so do your research ..find someone board certified if you do it who has a good track record of a low rate of infections..check the doctor's background..and wait at least a year after you loose all your weight to make any serious choice about it ....you can even loose your belly button with those you know

I thought I wanted one but just waited thinking why would I really want to put myself through all this for a flat tummy at my age... ..then one day I realized my tummy looked good !!!.......it had found it's way back to a pretty good size as you can see in my picture ..that is all me ..no tuck no touch up ...I am 48 years old lost 50lbs ....had two HUGE (one 12lb'er) babies by C-section... I do have some stretch marks but they have faded ...... so be patient ...treat your body well give yourself time ...and you will be very surprised at how resilliant your skin is ...

personally for the money a tummy tuck cost..some time off from work and a wonderful vacation would be my idea of a good reward!!!

[jimmie 48]

Re: Tummy tuck?

heidi would know more of this than i of course because of her background.

what i wanted to say is that i have a friend who is going to hae gastric bypass. she has been so sick with other problems that the pros now out weight the cons. reasons aside, the doctor has told her the EXERCISE IS NOT OPTIONAL. she has to do it and yes, it will be a long road but the hope is that she would not need any surgery to take care of any losse skin. her plight will be no different than any of ours. Dr. Atkins said that exercise is not an option. there are more benefits to doing it than just toning and getting rid of loose skin.

i would say, lose the weight, exercise diligently and when you get to goal, decide at that point. at the very least you can hold off any decision concerning this.

[kkat55]

Re: Tummy tuck?

Several people on the board use skin brushing for sagging skin, cellulite and stretch marks.

For more info, click on the link in my siggie regarding cellulite.

[1day@atime]

Re: Tummy tuck?

Heidi, You truly look phenominal! Thank you for your reply! And you're right, regardless of which way it turns out, I would think that since I didn't get fat and stretch the skin out overnight it is going to take a long time for it to be able to shrink back... so I'll continue to exercise and just give it time!

Kat... I've tried to click on the links in your signature. For some reason I get a "you don't have permission to view that..." :-( Any ideas what I can do to be able to see it? I don't have a clue as to what skin brushing is.....

Thank you to all! I can't imagine tackling this without all the support here at ADBB!!

[kkat55]

Re: Tummy tuck?

Kat... I've tried to click on the links in your signature. For some reason I get a "you don't have permission to view that..." :-( Any ideas what I can do to be able to see it? I don't have a clue as to what skin brushing is.....

The post is in the Women's Forum and you have to request permission to join.

Go to your UserCP button above (in the blue bar), then go to "Group Memberships" and you will find a link saying "Join Now" by the women's forum.

Or, you can send a PM (Personal Message) to Bren and she will see that you get access to this forum for women only.

Hope this helps!

[Heidi3]

Re: Tummy tuck?

Honey thank you so much for the compliments..who would have thought this tummy could go anywhere it should be after the abuse it took....and Yes dry brush I am a complete advocate of this it feels like heaven....could have some bennies with toning up I do it at least three times a week and have been doing it I think for almost two years now ..it is invigorating, makes your skin feel really good and it is possible it was part of what helped get my tone back but I am not sure if there is any science behind it! there are a few threads about it and you can google it ...
basics

get a soft natural bristle brush and before you shower when you skin is dry make tiny circles on from your fingers to your center then from your toes to your center ...avoid all tender areas...take a nice warm shower then hit the cold and give yourself a splash of cold water all over ...pat lightly to dry and moisturize with your favorite lotion...the first time you do it ..you will probably be itchy after ..I was and people tell me the same thing but after that it is amazing ...I get grumpy if I go too long not doing this!!!

[fgomommy]

Re: Tummy tuck?

Hi! I've wanted a tummy tuck for about 2 years now. My husband said if I work out consitantly for one year I can have it. Well, I worked out 2 times a week with a trainer and once a week by myself for a year and still had my gut and decided I was going to get my tummy tuck. I had a c-section 9 years ago and my tummy hasn't been the same.

I have to tell you that in early June this year I went in to meet with a Dr. regarding a tummy tuck...this was before I went back on Atkins. Anyway, I'm not vain but I was sick of my gut hanging out...so the dr. took a look and said "Yes, your a perfect candidate...blah blah blah" and that will be $8000.00. My husband said that he wants me to feel good about myself and he would make it work. I decided to wait and some things came up so that I didn't make the appointment for surgery and I'm glad!

I've lost more weight now and I'm really no longer interested in the tummy tuck. Yes, I still have a tummy, but it keeps shrinking...I think it is possible to shrink a tummy and not have to get a tuck. I'm going to wait until I reach my goal weight and if my gut is still hanging, then maybe I'll try it. But for now it seems like a huge waste of money since I'm doing it myself with Atkins.

Sorry this got so long, hope it helped.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Tummy tuck?

let me just say here without wanting to offend anyone. chatting to myself the same as to everyone on this board.......

to lose and shrink you have to work out more than what you would if you were just maintaining.

i would also like to say that working towards the goal of flat tummy, non flabby arms and butt cheeks to die for, instead of "paying for it" has got to be more rewarding. seems like when we all work for something and get it, we tend to take care of it better than if it's just handed to us.

[1day@atime]

Re: Tummy tuck?

I'm going to try the skin brushing. It would make some sense in that it would increase circulation, (the itching). I'll just keep swimming, eating right and give it time! My other half is delighted and releived to say the least. Thank you everyone!

[djfmf]

Re: Tummy tuck?

i have a lot of excess skin around my waist from my weight loss. i do ab work outs, cardio and strengthing and while i do see a 4 pack on my stomach i have some leftover skin. i still got some ways to go on my diet and some more exercising so hopefully when i reach my goals the little flab on my waist will be gone. if not i plan on getting a tummy tuck, but definately not liposuction since i don't need it to lose weight. it's only to remove the excess skin and fat hanging off. i will try the brush thing, but it just sounds soo... weird.

[kkat55]

Re: Tummy tuck?

I'm going to try the skin brushing. It would make some sense in that it would increase circulation, (the itching). I'll just keep swimming, eating right and give it time! My other half is delighted and releived to say the least. Thank you everyone!

Keep us updated!!

[adreliluc]

Re: Tummy tuck?



I know it's been a few weeks since anybody has posted in this, but...

I've been planning on getting a tummy tuck when I hit goal for years... The more I read the more iffy I get, however I'd almost do anything to get rid of my tummy...

I still have a ways to go but I'd go under the knife right now if I could. I also wouldn't mind getting some "bigger girls" if ya know what I mean... lol.
Yesterday while my hubby and I were having an 'intimate' moment, I was feeling self conscious and he said "if it bothers you that much then just call and make an appointment"... I'm all for it! I may be vain but I've had a weight problem all of my life and I'm ready to just feel comfortable and beautiful in my own skin... I'm tired of the weight being a barrier and I know it's just skin and it may get better down the road but I'm impatient and self conscious!

[jimmie 48]

Re: Tummy tuck?

you do realize that even with a tummy tuck you'll have to exercise to keep it, right? probably alot of us would entertain thoughts of a tummy tuck or enlarging the "girls" (no men, i don't include you in that statement). i don't think there's anything so much wrong with that. it's a matter of personal preference.
just keep in mind that exercise will help keep things in place and tight and so on. exercise is good before a tummy tuck and will still be good afterwards.