Berkeley Parents Network: Tummy Tuck

Berkeley Parents Network

Tummy Tuck

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Beauty & Fitness > Cosmetic Surgery > Tummy Tuck

Related pages: Postpartum Tummy and Cosmetic Surgery

Feb 2005

After consulting with a few cosmetic surgeons in the area regarding an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), I have tentatively chosen Dr. Michael Cedars. I reviewed the UCB postings on Dr. Cedars and they all relate to his experience with breast-related surgeries (enhancements, reductions, etc.). Has anyone had recent experience with Dr. Cedars specifically for tummy tucks? Was it a positive experience? Your comments will be greatly appreciated. Much obliged
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August 2004

I'm having a tummy tuck in a month and would like some advice on how to prepare for and heal from surgery. I couldn't find enough details in the archives. Did you take supplements, pain meds?I have a toddler-how long till I can pick up/hold her, push stroller, etc? What was it like for you for the first few days after surgery? Where and how did it hurt? What were your limitations? What kind of help did you need? Any and all info would help. happycamper
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May 2004

I read the postings from last summer and there was a referral for Dr. Elizabeth Lee. I am hoping to get some more referrals and hear about other experiences with having a tummy tuck. If you had one are you happy with it? How was the recovery? Is there anything you wished you had known before you did it? I had an eleven pound baby and my stomach has not recovered. I am planning to have the surgery in September. B.
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Feb 2004

Re: Postpartum saggy belly

The same thing happened to me after the birth of my children. Even though I lost a lot of weight, my stomach skinned sagged terribly. I've since found out that once you exceed the maximum elasticity of your skin (and often the membrane that holds your stomach muscles together) no amount of dieting or exercise will fix the problem. I saw a plastic surgeon - Dr. Elizabeth Lee - and learned that the membrane holding my stomach muscles together was stretched something like five inches. Also, my skin was never going to regain its previous elasticity. I decided I was too young to look matronly. So, I had an abdominoplasty (commonly called a 'tummy tuck') a little over a year ago. My waist looked much better almost immediately, and now it looks great. The scar has faded almost completely, and my clothes fit again. I couldn't recommend it more. Dr. Lee was great before, during, and after surgery. She has a website: www.artfulsurgery.com and her number is 510-704-2170. She's on Regent Street in Berkeley and I really couldn't recommend her more highly. Julie

I am a plastic surgeon in practice in Berkeley, and I see alot of this situation. Unfortunately, sometimes pregnancy stretches our bodies past where we can completely spring back. It is great that you have lost almost all of the weight you gained and that your tummy is flat, but if your skin has stayed loose and wrinkled and you have stretch marks, it is possible that this will never be smooth again. Skin with stretch marks has lost elasticity and tends to hang loosely forever.

Exercising is important for the underlying muscles and there are alot of great recommendations for exercise routines and trainers on this website. Exercise usually does not tighten overstretched loose skin. Sometimes, that skin just needs to be removed, which involves a surgery. You should not consider anything operative unless you are finished having children as another pregnancy will just stretch you some more. I also would recommend waiting until you are at least one year post partum before seeking any surgical treatment, as things can continue to improve during that time. Until then, exercise and enjoy your baby! Congratulations.

I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have if you would like to email me. Elizabeth Lee, M.D.

June 2003

Hi, I have many stretch marks and very loose skin on my belly from having had 2 big babies. It's now many years later and I'm considering a tummy tuck/liposuction to transform the one part of my body I really don't like, no matter what my weight. I'm worried about the procedure though - pain and healing afterward, and results, especially if my weight fluctuates over time. Has anyone had any experience with this type of surgery, positive or negative, and would you do it again? also, any surgeons you'd recommend or not? thanks. anonymous

I am in a similar situation regarding stretch marks and loose skin after two big babies. Whenever I feel like my tummy is unattractive I remind myself of someone I met once in a bellydance class. I was about 20 pounds heavier then, and the fattest one there, so I wasn't exactly your sterotypical dancer. But a woman came to class who was very uncomfortable with her trim, tanned, slender tummy. She said she'd had liposuction and a tummy tuck and wished she could reverse it. I had noticed that she was stiff and self-conscious, but when I was invited to look closely I saw that her belly was slightly lumpy. She hated the feel of her new belly and couldn't get used to it because it wasn't symmetrical. I hope this helps. I'm not thrilled with what I have, but in time I'll come to accept it. anonymous

I had twins almost 4 years ago. My stomach (which was always my ''problem spot'')was much worse even after losing most of my 50 pounds of pregnancy weight. Even after 3 years of excercise, my stomach was flabby and disproportionate from the rest of my body and clothes did not fit properly. I decided to consult several doctors regarding liposuction and/or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Because I did not have a great deal of excess skin, most of the doctors I saw thought that liposuction would do the trick. It would also be a much less invasive surgery with a faster recovery time. I selected a doctor named, George Commons, in Palo Alto (very reknowned and teaches Cosmetic Surgery at Stanford) and checked many of his references).

It has been one year since my procedure and I would do it again in a second (if I needed to!). It was a relatively quick recuperation and the results exceeded my expectations. Clothes look good on me again!

I would interview several doctors that have a good reputation and see what procedure they would recommend. You may find that liposuction is all you need. I struggled with the ''vanity'' of doing something like this but it has really saved my self esteem and made me a much happier person.

Good luck, Anon

I had a ''tummy tuck'' about 6 months ago. Dr. Elizabeth Lee was my surgeon and I couldn't recommend her more highly - she's great. (See Elizabeth Lee for the rest of this review)

If you'd like me to answer any more questions, feel free to email me. Julie

I just had a tummy tuck done (3 1/2 weeks ago). I had a permanent separation of my abdominal muscles and lots of loose skin due to my two pregnancies. I am thrilled that I had it done. Not only are my muscles now properly aligned and will hopefully work better (and prevent the back pain I've been having), but for the first time since my second child was born, I don't look 4 months pregnant. And yes, all the loose skin is gone! The healing process has been more rapid than I expected.

I highly recommend my surgeon, Dr. Elizabeth Slass Lee. (See Elizabeth Lee for the rest of this review) KandD

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