Tummy Tuck

[Anonymous]

Hi,
Looking to get a tummy tuck (done with kids, three boys- all pretty large- largest was 10lbs, 11 oz.)

Anyone willing to share their stories? Doctor recommendations? id you get drains? No drains? Why or why not?

Had consults with two different doctors in the Northern VA area- one prefers not to use drains and the other does. What is one to do?

TIA.

-J

[Anonymous]

After my mastectomy, I had a TRAM flap (where they take your tummy fat to make a new breast). It's like a combination tummy tuck and breast job--all in one surgery.

I had two drains (inserted at the top of the thighs near the groin). The drains weren't bad at all--you just have to clip them to your underwear so you don't catch the tubing and accidentally yank on them. It sounds like a lot, but it's all very doable. (I went to work with them and didn't have any problems.)

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It's a major surgery. When they say 6 week recovery, they really do mean it. I thought, oh I'm young and will be fine in a couple of weeks. Not so. In fact, 6 months later my tummy would still puff up if I overdid it at the gym. I've heard other people say the recovery wasn't that bad, but I found it really tough. My surgeon was really aggressive and pulled everything very tight. My stomach is amazingly flat now. The scar is pretty bad, from hip to hip. My doctor did use drains and it wasn't that big of a deal. I also had to wear a binder for 6 weeks. Overall I'm very happy I had it done.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Feledy
He is a reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeon. Has amazing results.
www.belmontplasticsurgery.com