Circumferential Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck plus Butt/Thigh Lift) pics before & after
JulieSHelms
Posts: 821 Member
I wanted to share what feels like my final hurdle in this LONG journey. I lost 130 lbs in 2.5 years. I maintained for about 9 months, then went ahead with the cosmetic surgery to solve the "drippy candle" effect of the loose skin.
First some background:
Age 51
5'8"
SW 302
FW 170
My before and after pics BEFORE surgery:
I look okay with my clothes on, but had very saggy skin underneath. I was actually bothered more by my butt than my stomach. When I would run, it felt like water balloons slapping against my back side. Just gross. That is why I chose the circumferential (goes all the way around) abdominoplasty, instead of the standard tummy tuck that is just in the front. You can understand what they do if you imagine pulling the skin down in the front, like a sweater, and pulling the skin up in the back, like pants. Then trimming off the overlap and sewing it all back together again. The surgery took 5 hours.
I declined the muscle tightening that is typical with tummy tucks. The dr. said my abs were in good shape and recovery is shorter if you don't mess with them.
I had the surgery Jan 31, so I am 18 days post-op. The doctor said I am healing well. I've been back to the gym since my drains were removed at one week. I'm pretty much doing everything again (cardio, strength) except no ab exercises and no running.
There is still some swelling at the incision line. Because it is only 2.5 weeks post-op, the incision is still raw looking in the following pics. It is supposed to fade to clear in about a year. I'm really pleased with the results! I like my new belly button, too.
I'm wearing the same pants before and after for comparison.
If you are considering the surgery yourself and want more info--feel free to message me. I can also direct you to pics that show all of the incision.
First some background:
Age 51
5'8"
SW 302
FW 170
My before and after pics BEFORE surgery:
I look okay with my clothes on, but had very saggy skin underneath. I was actually bothered more by my butt than my stomach. When I would run, it felt like water balloons slapping against my back side. Just gross. That is why I chose the circumferential (goes all the way around) abdominoplasty, instead of the standard tummy tuck that is just in the front. You can understand what they do if you imagine pulling the skin down in the front, like a sweater, and pulling the skin up in the back, like pants. Then trimming off the overlap and sewing it all back together again. The surgery took 5 hours.
I declined the muscle tightening that is typical with tummy tucks. The dr. said my abs were in good shape and recovery is shorter if you don't mess with them.
I had the surgery Jan 31, so I am 18 days post-op. The doctor said I am healing well. I've been back to the gym since my drains were removed at one week. I'm pretty much doing everything again (cardio, strength) except no ab exercises and no running.
There is still some swelling at the incision line. Because it is only 2.5 weeks post-op, the incision is still raw looking in the following pics. It is supposed to fade to clear in about a year. I'm really pleased with the results! I like my new belly button, too.
I'm wearing the same pants before and after for comparison.
If you are considering the surgery yourself and want more info--feel free to message me. I can also direct you to pics that show all of the incision.
205
Replies
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Woot woot!3
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Way to go!2
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You are an inspirational woman3
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Thank you for posting this. I am about 95 pounds down from my highest weight with another 40 to go, and then I am planning to have this done too. Great job!2
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WOW! That's amazing! Go you!2
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You look terrific! Congratulations!1
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Good for you! You sound like your happy with you decision and as long as your happy that’s all that matters. You go girl!!!!2
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You look great! Sounds like you feel good, and happy. Win, win win.1
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I never dreamed that procedure could have such amazing results! Congratulations on all your success, you’ve certainly earned it!2
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You look great and appear to be healing very well! Hopefully the scarring will be as minimal as possible, but either way I'm sure it's worth it
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Whooo!! You look awesome! Nice work!2
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Absolutely amazing....thankyou for sharing
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You had an amazing doctor!2
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You had an amazing doctor!
He would agree with you. He wasn't at all arrogant but at my consult he encouraged me to visit with other plastic surgeons. He said--"But you won't find a better one in this state (PA), well maybe in Philadelphia...No, not even there. But please go visit around." Lol.
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Amazing! You're so inspiring!3
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Look at that butt!3
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Fantastic results! congratulations 1
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Whatever spent was so worth it. Congrats.2
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That is amazing! Brilliant results! and healing really well
thank you so much for sharing. You look wonderful.
Glad it went so smoothly, really does look fantastic!1 -
Amazing results, you look fantastic - enjoy, your butt looks great1
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I forgot to mention in my original post--total weight for skin removal was 3.5 lbs. What a bummer--I thought for sure there were 20 extra lbs hanging there--sure felt like it!18
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OMG - that Butt! Fantastic.5
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You look AMAZING!!!!! Thank you for sharing!1
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Wow! Looking Good!1
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Thanks for sharing this! You look great and I am sure it feels so much better.1
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Wow. Good for you. You look great and must feel incredible!1
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That is fantastic! Congratulations - incredible results!1
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That's awesome! Did your arms firm up when you lost the weight? I'm down 38lbs with 50 to go, and I find even with weight training my arms are batwings. :-/1
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wow1
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BluenoserGal wrote: »That's awesome! Did your arms firm up when you lost the weight? I'm down 38lbs with 50 to go, and I find even with weight training my arms are batwings. :-/
I do a lot of weight training and my arms aren't bad. Probably this is a genetic thing--but the weights have got to help. Here is a pic of me from behind. You can see the little bit hanging from my arms.
BTW, this pic is from a few months ago--pre-surgery, so you can see the extra padding around my middle [that'd be all that skin shoved into spandex] and the extra skin at my bra line.
6
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