Is a tummy tuck truly worth it? Disappointed with other plastic surgery.

[Anonymous]

About five months ago I had some lipo done as well as a breast lift with implants. I had put on 50 lbs in about a year, lost 30, then put on 45 with pregnancy, and ultimately got down to about 80 lbs below highest pg weight. I am a size 4 but my body looks terrible from the up and down. Well, I don't feel overly satisfied. My breasts do look substantially better, esp in clothes, but I was hoping for perfect and they are not perfect. I was left with nipples that don't match perfectly in shape/size (this was not an issue before) and I still feel like there is a little bit of sag. Maybe I being too picky there. I don't think the lipo made much of a difference at all- it did some, but not as much as I expected. I still have a pear shape etc.

I REALLY want a tummy tuck and am really scared of the recovery. Just wondering if this is going to be the kind of thing where it is absolutely worthwhile and I will be so happy down the line, or if it's just not worth the pain and money. My stomach really does bother me and always has, but I don't want to do this unless I will be really happy with the result.

[Anonymous]

You have unrealistic expectations. Why are you surprised you still have a pear shape? What were you hoping for?

[Anonymous]

Why don't you try a good Pilates class instead?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure this will come off as snarky, but I think you need a good therapist more than you "need" more surgery.

[Anonymous]

OP, I've had plastic surgery. I'm a firm believer that anyone who has plastic surgery should have a mandatory few sessions of therapy. You are a prime reason why. Your expectations are unrealistic and you will always think something isn't perfect. Leading to so many plastic surgeries that you end up looking horrible because you went too far.
Please get therapy.

[Anonymous]

Op. You have not been happy with any of your other surgeries. I think your unhappiness with yourself needs to be addressed before you schedule any more surgery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure this will come off as snarky, but I think you need a good therapist more than you "need" more surgery.

I agree with this, actually. Will all respect, I think talking to someone about your body image expectations could be a big help.

[Anonymous]

Just to prove that I am not an anorexic crazy person, this is what I'm dealing with:

http://tinypic.com/r/105ec0y/8

http://tinypic.com/r/24175ee/8

I really just want a flat stomach. A size 4 at my height and weight should not have a stomach like this! Since I can't erase my drastic weight gain/loss that ruined my stomach, I would think that a TT is my next best approach, I'm just trying to figure out what I would reasonably look like.

As far as the other surgeries, I think the only reason I was disappointed is because I was drinking the surgeon's kool aid and really did expect "perfection" afterwards. I suppose I just thought that's what plastic surgery got you. Now that I know that's not the case, I'm wondering whether the improvement I could get with my stomach would be worth undergoing the procedure (and the cost too). For example, if I still can't wear a two piece bathing suit, I would be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to prove that I am not an anorexic crazy person, this is what I'm dealing with:

http://tinypic.com/r/105ec0y/8

http://tinypic.com/r/24175ee/8

I really just want a flat stomach. A size 4 at my height and weight should not have a stomach like this! Since I can't erase my drastic weight gain/loss that ruined my stomach, I would think that a TT is my next best approach, I'm just trying to figure out what I would reasonably look like.

As far as the other surgeries, I think the only reason I was disappointed is because I was drinking the surgeon's kool aid and really did expect "perfection" afterwards. I suppose I just thought that's what plastic surgery got you. Now that I know that's not the case, I'm wondering whether the improvement I could get with my stomach would be worth undergoing the procedure (and the cost too). For example, if I still can't wear a two piece bathing suit, I would be disappointed.

I looked at these pictures and I am 100 percent certain you can change your stomach drastically with pilates and other core work. I had a very similar stomach after 3 kids (2 pregnancies, one singleton and one twin) and I dedicated myself to doing pilates twice a week and other core strengthening exercises another 2 days a week and one solid day of cardio. (like 70 minutes of cardio, not 30). I have a 4 pack. You DO NOT need surgery, you need to build your strength. I had a lot more thin/flabby skin too and it all tightened up.

[Anonymous]

Wow- thank you! That really gives me inspiration! Looks like I need to get to the gym.

[Anonymous]

How long did it take before you noticed a dofference?

[Anonymous]

OP, your picture only convinced me that you really do need to go to therapy. Today. Your stomach looks great. You have unrealistic expectations. Please seek therapy before going under the knife again. Listen to all the PPs -- all of the comments are directing you to therapy. I hope you are listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long did it take before you noticed a dofference?

PP here who told my story up above. I noticed a significant difference maybe 4 months in? Its something you have to keep up with though so consider it a lifestyle change.

[Anonymous]

This is not fixable without a tummy tuck, you have excess skin that didn't change with lipo or exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not fixable without a tummy tuck, you have excess skin that didn't change with lipo or exercise.

I don't think it's excess skin, because the part that sticks out isn't really sagging down. I'd try to lose a little more body fat and do a bunch of core work to tighten it up.