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Childbirth

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Original poster

Anyone had an EL CS + a tummy tuck at once?

46 replies

Alexa808 · 29/06/2008 11:48

Hello all,

my consultant (very experienced and precise surgeon) said he could offer me this option should I be worried about a 'leftover' flab.
He said I shouldn't need it as he'll sow the vertical tummy muscles back together BUT it is an option and he wanted to put it out there for me to think over.

I'd like to know if any of you have had this procedure done and how it was for you.

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Twelvelegs · 29/06/2008 11:49

Where are you and how much is it?????

NotDoingTheHousework · 29/06/2008 11:50

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Original poster
Alexa808 · 29/06/2008 11:52

Hehe, NDTH Bloody hell, no.

I'm in Singapore. Don't know but around £10k all in (scans, CS, hospital suite, aftercare).

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Twelvelegs · 29/06/2008 12:07

Wow, I would do it, I have had three c-sections and I can't imagine the scarring from a tummy tuck would be worse. You are left with a fold, no matter how much exercise you do as you are left with skin unattached from any muscle.
Singapore, do they have 3+4D scans every visit too, just like HK?

eandz · 29/06/2008 12:11

wow. i'd do it. but i've gaine massive weight in this pregnancy.

lulumama · 29/06/2008 12:12

i cannot see how it would work to give you a flat stomach, as unless you put on no extra fat at all, you would surely need lipo too?

sewing together the muscles is not going to take the fat away is it?

did you have a flat stomach before?

also, your uterus will take a while to go back down into the pelvis, so you will still look pregnant for a bit anyway....

would it have any implications for future pregnancies?

eandz · 29/06/2008 12:13

yeah, i was gonna ask about how it would affect your next pregnancy if you chose to get pregnant again.

i've been thinking about getting my stomach stapled since i've gained more weight than ever after i deliver but i know i'm going to want another 3 after this...any ideas how it'll affect me then? (anyone?)

Twelvelegs · 29/06/2008 12:15

It's not about the fat with a c-section it's about extra skin, surely. Fat can be exercised away but there's nothing you can do about that skin.
I am going to have new breasts and a tummy tuck when I get back in shape after this section (my fourth), if finances are still looking good.

lulumama · 29/06/2008 12:17

but if you have the skin sorted before the fat is gone, how is it going to all go back correctly IFYSWIM... seems a bit back to front, but am sure her surgeon knows what he is doing

i wonder if it would make it more painful afterwards. c.s can be painful afterwards..also i would want to know how much longer you would be on the table afterwards and if you would be having it done under spinal or general anaesthesia

apparently a gastric bypass is compatible with being pregnant.....

Twelvelegs · 29/06/2008 12:19

I do see what you mean, but I would have thought in Singapore (where the ladies are so tiny) they(c-section with TT) are pretty routine.

eandz · 29/06/2008 12:20

thanks lulumama

lulumama · 29/06/2008 12:22

i think being petite is still compatible with vaginal birth, but there you go !

4andnotout · 29/06/2008 12:26

My friend had a tummy tuck (on nhs ) and went on to have another successfull pregnancy.

Twelvelegs · 29/06/2008 12:30

Lulumama, that wasn't my point. My point is that in those countries where the wealthy do go under the knife and take their slenderness quite seriously I would think the procedure is commonplace. Not that little women don't have VBs!!!

lulumama · 29/06/2008 12:40

ah, i see twelvelegs !

Guadalupe · 29/06/2008 12:47

I thought about asking before my hysterectomy and then I read that loads of women ask for a tummy tuck while they're at it and the surgeons laugh.

I think it is a lot more work, like lulumama says, the things I read said there would be a larger scar and lipo and a longer recovery time.

I would have considered it if I could have afforded it, would have been a bonus to have a flatter tummy to make up for horrible surgery.

RubyRioja · 29/06/2008 12:54

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Original poster
Alexa808 · 29/06/2008 12:58

Thanks to you all. 4andnotout, that's interesting. Thanks.

I haven't gained that much. 10kg so far and 2 1/2 months left to go. The tummy tuck wasn't my idea, he just mentioned it as he's performed it before. I'm going to spare you the details ladies but he explained the different layers will all be stitched one by one, not all in one go. It will hurt less he said after the OP than if you'd just staple it together. It's the overhanging skin which would be cut off and pulled down. There will be a lipo, yes.

I was a size 6 before I got pregnant and am now a size 8-10 so I don't think I need massive intervention. And I would like to have 3 or even 4 kids. Definitely am not going to stop at 2 unless there's a medical reason to. However I'm not going to plan for another baby that soon after birth but want to care and adjust to my firstborn and accompany my husband on his travels, if possible going back to my previous job part time. I reckon I'll have 4-5 years before trying for another one. I'm not a gym bunny and not into dieting either. I eat well and have an active lifestyle.

When he mentioned it I thought, "Oh, haven't thought about it. Well, if I'm going to get cut, then I might as well..." but wondered what you ladies thought about it or if you can share experiences.

I agree Lulumama, an EL CS would 'only' require a local anastethic, whereas THIS would probably have to be done under general.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alexa808 · 29/06/2008 13:00

RubyR, thanks for sharing this info. Sounds like it really worked for your sister. Is she happy with it? No internal probs? How was it caring for another babe with it?

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Original poster
Alexa808 · 29/06/2008 13:04

Twelvelegs, I can have a 4D scan at 32 weeks if I wish. I read amazing stories on the antenatal thread. Yes, they do scan like crazy here. Every month relentlessly. I've said no and only agreed to scans when it was necessary (12+20) and when worried (twice). I love the pictures though and I cannot wait to meet baby!

Singers has a high CS rate. It's very medicalised (not sure if that's the right word). All done by rule book, not a lot of lateral thinking to be seen.

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Olihan · 29/06/2008 13:05

I'm not sure it would require a general. If the block is effective you wouldn't feel anything, would you?

My gran had her knee replaced under epidural and hospitals are doing lots more surgury using epidurals as the risks are much lower than GA.

Alexa, are they very much pro-ElCS in Singapore, then?

Olihan · 29/06/2008 13:07

X-posts then! Are they (or you) not happy about letting you go through a VB?

lulumama · 29/06/2008 13:07

if i were you, i would wait until i had completed my family...

going from a size 6 to an 8/10 is hardly massive, and you will probably lose it afterwards to a degree if you are naturally slender and petite.

also, for me, the general anaesthetic would be the deal breaker. i would not ewant to miss out of the first few minutes or even hour or two with my newborn for the sake of a flat tummy.

but that is my opinion

eandz · 29/06/2008 13:11

i haven't had kids before but don't you just pass out after you've given birth even if it was a c-section?

lulumama · 29/06/2008 13:17

no, you don;t! well, i hvae not., nor seen anyone else do so.

the moment the baby is in your arms, you are invigorated and full of joy

once the adrenalin has passed, you do get tired though.

there is a difference between being tired from the birth and being put to sleep for it