Hi everyone!
I had a tummy tuck done in November of 2006. All is well now after 3 revisions and me having to get over an ugly belly button and a scar that is WAY TOO high but that is for another board. My question is...
I have to go in for Interssusception Surgery on the 10th of Aug to remove parts of my small intestine. My Surgeon was wanting to do it with a Laprascope but after seeing my stomach is thinking he will have to slice me from belly button to pubic bone to perform the surgery. My P.S. sewed my abs up so tight I could not stand up straight for 9 weeks post op. I also believed he removed a little too much skin and it left me very tight. I can not push out my belly at all. I have very little stretch in the ab area, I still can not bend over backward very far either (unless it is for other people! ha ha)
My question is.... HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF SOMEONE GETTING LAPRASCOPIC SURGERY AFTER A TUMMY TUCK?? I don't think my tummy will stretch with the Co2 to give him enough room. I'm starting to get nervous. I appreciate any knowledge anyone can give! Have a great weekend!

Is a bikini cut possible in this situation? Does he feel he cannot do the laproscopy based on scar tissue you have from your tt? How do you feel about having a scar that will go from your bb all the way down?

I have a scar from my bb to my pubic bone from a laporotomy surgery due to endometriosis and exploratory surgery. This is why I am choosing to have a t.t. this month when I have a hysterectomy (to get rid of the long incision -- plus some stretch marks of course). However, I am keeping my ovaries and I have been warned that they might need to be removed later if they keep the endometriosis going after my hysterectomy. I'm not happy about that but am choosing to keep them so that I don't go into full blown menopause at my age. My doctor has also warned me that it's possible that he wouldn't be able to remove the ovaries laproscopically due to the scar tissue. I am interested also in hearing anyone else's experience with this.

Please keep us posted on what you decide to do with regard to your surgery.

Yes I had a hernia repaired laprascopically after my TT. And yes the surgeon mentioned he did have a difficult time due to the scar tissue.

I've had a lap that turned into the lower ab incision due to scar tissue, I just had an 8cm ovarian cyst drained due to not wanting them to do another attempt at a lap surgery that ends up in another scar. If the draining of the cyst doesn't work, I will be in the same boat as you. My plastic surgeon gave me specific instructions to give to the Doc that has to do my lap. Really interested in ur results. Wishing you the best w/ your upcoming surgery, keep us posted.

I had a partial hysterectomy and gall bladder removal before my tummy tuck through my belly button. My ps stated that it was tough to do my bb because of all the scare tissue. I still have alot of pulling in my bb area. I believe its going to be awhile before I feel normal again. Hopefully, I don't have an another issue because I don't think my bb can take another surgery.

Tawnie -- Thanks for your input. Since your ps had trouble with your bb area due to the scar tissue, are you happy with the way your bb and scar look? I am paranoid that I am going to spend all this money and end up having another major surgery down the road that will ruin what I am paying to get rid of now (my vertical scars and stretch marks). Because of my laporotomy scar I look like I have a butt on my front -- ha ha. Then I also have another very long vertical scar on the right side of my abdomen due to an appendectomy at age 2 -- unfortunately a tiny scar grew as I grew. Those two scars along with my post pregnancy stretch marks.....you can imagine how it looks.

Yes. I'm very happy with my bb. At first you can't tell how its going to turnout until about 3weeks po. My bb does feel different because of the pulling. I still have stretch marks ,to be expected due to the fact that my ps was very upfront and could not promise me that he can get all of them out. I been putting avon stretch mark cream on my stretch marks, hoping that they will dissapear.

I probably will have to have a revision because now I have dog ears on both sides that showed up a month ago. I will probably either get a revision or live with them.

To be honest with you, it was worth it! I wore a two piece bathing suit for the first time in 25yrs. I'm sure you will be very happy!

Hello,

Laparoscopic surgery might be difficult due to the fact that there is new scar tissue and your abdominal wall muscles might be a bit changed after your TT. Maybe your PS and General Surgeon should talk before your surgery?

Thank you everyone for your posts! I just had a Hysterectomy, Anterior Repair, and my bladder repaired by a swing. I had this all done on Tue. the 28th. I got out of the hospital 2 days ago and things seem do be going fine. I had my Cervix and Uterus removed Vaginally. It is nice to finally feel like I can empty my bladder! The first two days after surgery were hell but I am feeling pretty good now.
I guess I have no way around getting the abdominal surgery for the Interssusception. The surgeon says it is pretty important I get it fixed as soon as possible. I have been LOVING my TT! It makes me pretty sad to think that my nice flat tummy days may be over, seems like just yesterday that I got it done. I had my abdominal wall sewn together and am thinking that if I have to be cut open that this will be ruined?!? I jokingly told my Surgeon I would throw in an extra 1,000 if he would sew my muscles back up again, he just laughed! I am only 31 and hoping my TT doesn't get completely ruined. I can deal with scars, but I just hope I stay FLAT! Funny though, at this point in my health, I have been feeling so poorly that my "looks" just don't seem do be my number one priority anymore when it comes to this upcoming surgery. I am just PRAYING i do not end up with a colostomy bag and then I will be happy! Wow, sounds like all of us have been under the knife more than once huh? We are strong, we are powerful and we WILL make it through! God Bless all of you and I will keep ya'll posted. It was so great to read all of your replies. BTW my Uterus was removed due to chronic pain and bleeding. It was not until it was removed and tested at the lab that I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis. All of these years I have been told that my periods ar just heavy and that it was normal! The Doc said he was surprised when he pulled it out! It was just a big soft bloody mess! What a relief to have that thing out! Hooray for me!
I think my Colon Surgeon is going to try LP first but can't guarantee not having to cut me open. Stretch little tummy! STRETCH!!!!!

Well I made it through and just wanted to say thank you so much to all of you who replied. The Surgeon was able to do my colonectomy laparoscopically. He did end up having to cut me open above my tt scar but it is only2 inches long, so not too bad. I also have an incision right on my tt scar that is not noticeable at all. My small intestines had collapsed so he hooked them up to a bone and removed 6 inches of my sigmoid. Life has been hell but at least I am healing and yes my tummy is still flat! Thank goodness for that! Thank you all for your support! It was much appreciated. SO YES.....YOU CAN HAVE LP AFTER A TT! HOORAY!