Question:
For ur TT, did you have the anchor incision? Happy?
Hello all! I just went for a consult with a plastic surgeon. I went through my list of concerns, including a tummy tuck. I was surprised to hear that he recommended a vertical incision! I started out at about BMI 42 or so and my weight was pretty evenly distributed. I was concerned about my upper abdomen and have read posts about some people not happy with their upper ab results after a TT, so perhaps it is hard to get the upper abs flat. After touching and pulling my skin the surgeon thought to really get the upper part I'd need a vertical incision. I'm concerned - do I want a scar? Do I want a flat tummy I can't show? Do I want a "not perfect" tummy I can't show either? I'm just kind of in shock because I did not expect it for the BMI I started at. I wondered about other people's experiences, in particular, if you got a vertical incision and if you were happy with the end result and not too upset about the scar. — w8free (posted on January 11, 2005)
January 10, 2005
I didn't get a vertical incision, and now I wish I had. My waist is a full
size bigger than my hips, and it's difficult to find pants. If I had it to
do again, I would have the vertical, because I've never shown off my tummy
anyway post plastic surgery.
— mom2jtx3
January 10, 2005
Hello Elizabeth ~ I had a tummy tuck w/muscle tightening and an anchor
incision (like you're asking about). I absolutely LOVE the results. The
vertical scar is almost NON-existant and the surgery was only 4 months ago.
I have pictures of the results (before and after) in my profile at 1 month
PostOp, even then the scar was already diminishing. Another POSITIVE plus
about the anchor incision cut is that it gives you the 'hourglass' shape.
I hadn't seen my waistline since my highschool days, literally. I was an
apple shaped chick and as some of my pictures will show I carried most of
my excess 230 lbs around my mid body. Good luck to you on your decision.
:) - Lei
— [Deactivated Member]
January 11, 2005
Elizabeth, you and I are almost the same in BMI (I was a 44). My weight
was also evenly distributed. I went to one PS who said I needed the anchor
cut and I absolutely REFUSED!! I then went to see a second PS and he told
me I didn't need the anchor cut and that it was for people who carried the
majority of weight in the middle. I had the hip to hip incision and muscle
tightening and the results were FANTASTIC!!! I have NO excess skin or fat
above OR below my waist. My waist is about 26 inches around and is as flat
as can be. Check out 2 or 3 more plastic surgeons and see what they say.
If all of them tell you the same thing, then you know the 1st doctor was
right. However, if you get different responses from each doctor, go with
who you feel will show you the best results.
— Patty H.
January 11, 2005
This is a tough one. I started with the same pre-op BMI you did, 42, but I
had always carried a lot of weight in my belly even compared to other
areas. After losing 130 pounds, I went to consults with four different
plastics surgeons who, among them, recommended three different procedures.
One of the things they differed on was whether a vertical incision was
necessary (three out of four PS recommended it, then handed me a stick of
Trident :-D). All were board-certified, all had nice sample pics. But one
said I didn't need it. Ay carumba, what to do?<P>In your shoes, I'd
see at least two more PS for consults and see what they say.<P>What
finally helped me decide was finding somebody whose "Before" pic
looked pretty much like me. It took months to stumble upon one, though.
It's amazing how different we all are out there! I wound up going with the
PS whose recommendation was for the same procedures that this similar
"Before" pic person had had. I'm really glad I did. I wound up
with the vertical incision (*and* an LBL, talk about scars).<P>Take
plenty of time to think about this. You are correct that your choices are,
(1) scar, (2) (possibly) poochy upper stomach, which'll look even worse
hanging over a flat lower tummy, or (3) flat tummy, no extended midriff
scar. In the many months I took to ruminate on this question, I saw many
people report that they regretted not having the vertical incision. Those
who didn't have it, and were happy they skipped it as unnecessary, might
have a different body type or different expectations or a different doc
than you, it's really hard to know when we're all so different.
— Suzy C.
January 11, 2005
I had a LBL in May of this year. I have the scar that goes all the way
around my body and also an anchor scar. While it is still very read and
obvious, I am glad I had it done. My dtr just started doing the anchor
with the LBL in the last year. He operatedon my friend last winter and did
NOT give her the anchor incsion and it doesn't look have as good as my LBL.
My scar that wraps all the way around is very light, but, my anchor is
still obvious. I am planning on getting the scars lasered.
— heathercross
January 11, 2005
You definitely need to see more PS's before deciding. I had one doc tell
me he would not do the anchor cut and I ran. There is no way my results
would have been even close to what they are without it. I ended up having
the vertical incision opened up with both of the next 2 surgeries to keep
refining the upper torso areas. Each time it has healed very thin and very
light. It is barely noticeable and I have no trouble wearing a sports bra
top that would expose my belly. The stretchmarks I have are way worse than
that incision. My experience is that the horizontal incisions tend to show
more and are a little wider. I suspect because they are under constant
gravity tension is why. The vertical one on my belly and the ones on my
inner thighs are very acceptable to excellent. The leg ones are still
quite red as they are only 2 months old, so time will help them. But they
are pretty thin also.
<p>The bottom line is you need to figure out what your body needs.
Seeing some other PS's will help you decide that. Don't not get the
vertical incision if most or all PS's are saying you need it. You won't
likely be happy in the long run with the end result. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
January 15, 2005
Many thanks for all the advice and kind words! Leilani, you look GREAT!
When I saw your pictures I was sold ;-) Bravo on everyone's
accomplishments!
— w8free
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