Saturday, October 30, 2010

Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty Pictures

tummy tuck before after image
abdominoplasty before after picture
abdominoplasty before after
abdominoplasty before after
tummy tuck before after photo
before after tummy tuck photo
before after tummy tuck

Wanna know more on this?
Go to Tummy Tuck aka Abdominoplasty. There are plenty of risks involved in a Tummy Tuck surgery, (read this post on Tummy Tuck Gone wrong).
More on before after pictures of tummy tuck

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Gone Wrong

Despite its immense popularity, there are many cases where tummy tuck has gone wrong. Here are some cases that I've found on the internet.

Case 1.
It's almost three weeks since I have my tummy tuck and liposuction along with a breast augmentation the recovery for the bust augmentation It was okay, but, the recovery for the tummy tuck it was a different story, the first two weeks it was so painful, that my husband had to take care of me the whole first week day and night, "thanks god" that he is retired from his job, other way he can be kind of sleepy on his job. the second week I have to managed to take care of myself, because he was tired of me, ringing the bell every time I have to go to the bathroom and not to be able to move my body... you see every single movement It was a pain even do I was taking the medications. to me It was something that has to be done, with my body, and for almost two years I was saving money for the tummy tuck operation. I was so disgusted every time I see myself in the mirror with the tummy. that I decided to go ahead with the surgery and I think the it was worthy all the pain, and money I spend. I did that, after finding the right pl, with his credentials, because after all is your life and health you putting in risk, after several consultations with some others doctors finally I found my Dr. thank-you Dr.Efrain Gonzalez for been so patient with me "you are the best surgeon".

Case 2.
I paid for a tummy tuck and it went terribly wrong.I was left with a 6 by 7 and a half inch hole in my stonache.The doctor that preformed the surgery then passed me off to another doctor without explanation.This has been going on for over 4 months and i'm still not closed up yet.I'd like to sue or at least get my money back.

Case 3.
I had a tummy tuck close to seven months ago. As soon as I had the surgery it did not result in what the doctor had said it should be. He has caused my stomach to look abnormal and disfigured. I have keloid scars and the incision is very high. I know that this forum is for people who have been injured through negligence by their physicians, and I have not been injured, but I have been disfigured. I have consulted with other physicians who said I need to have a new tummy tuck surgery. This is so unfair, I spent thousands of dollars on this, went down for recovery time which was extremely painful, and now I need to pay more money to get this fixed. I do not trust the physician who by the way is a board certified plastic surgeon, to do a revision on me since he keeps on contradicting himself whenever I ask him about this problem he caused. He will not compensate me for my loss, and wants to perform the surgery again, but I refused.Do I have a legal case? I live in Illinois, but had the surgery done in Munster, Indiana because it costs less. Does anyone out there know if I am able to receive compensation for this major problem I'm going through?I have asked three law firms so far, and noone will take on this type of case since I am not injured. Please give me some advice if you know of any.

One of the Certified Surgeons explains the risks of having a Tummy Tuck like this :

All surgery has some potential risks, including the risks of bleeding, reaction to the anesthetic, and infection. Scars are to be expected, but they will become lighter and flatter with time. Smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing. This could result in larger scars, and a second surgery. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how to resume physical activity.

So, folks do a research about it or you may want to consult with your doctor before you do the abdominoplasty. (PS : any comments on this post will be highly appreciated)

Related Posts :
Tummy Tuck aka Abdominoplasty
More Images: Tummy Tuck Pictures
Tummy Tuck Pictures II

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Pictures - Before and After

abdominoplasty before after
tummy tuck before after image

tummy tuck before after


tummy tuck before after image Tummy Tucks and Liposuction

You want to banish those love handles, or eliminate stretch marks, remove the fats on the neck. Liposuction will do it, you think. Before you add liposuction cost to that annual gym membership and killer bathing suit, tack on a tummy tuck. Liposuction can't tighten loose love handles or post-pregnancy stretch marks or loose skin due to rapid weight loss, for example also post-pregnancy or pre-high school reunion.

Many plastic surgeons recommend getting a tummy tuck rather than (neck) liposuction body sculpting, since liposuction reduces abdominal fat and not the inner girdle that expands with pregnancy. However, opinion is divided: Some surgeons do a mini tummy tuck and tumescent liposuction, while others favor liposuction over surgical abdominoplasty to restore youthful appearance. Often, tummy tucks are done to tighten lax skin after liposuction. Frequently, surgeons combine the two with liposuction abdominoplasty or a mini tummy tuck on the lower abs that involves liposuction to remove excess fat. Ask your plastic surgeon for her recommendations. Remember that liposuction makes you feel as though you've hit the gym two times over. If you have separate procedures, schedule some recovery time in-between the liposuction and tummy tuck. However you think you look, your physical health is more important than getting rid of love handles and stretch marks.
Related Posts :

Tummy Tuck aka Abdominoplasty
Risks of Tummy Tuck
For more pictures: Go to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Pictures

Tummy Tuck aka Abdominoplasty | Stomach Lift

Are sit-ups just not giving you the taut tummy you desire? If you've got a little too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that won't diminish with diet or exercise, you may want to consider an abdominoplasty, popularly referred to as a "tummy tuck".

This procedure flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.

But be cautioned: This is a major surgery, so if you're considering it, take the time to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation and do not rush to make the final decision.

A tummy tuck should be the last resort for people who have exhausted all other measures, and the procedure should not be used as an alternative to weight loss.


tummy tuck procedure
Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall.
It should not be confused with a liposuction (the cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may elect to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck.

Women who have muscles and skin stretched by multiple pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives and still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area (see more on Body contouring after major weight loss).

Who Should Not Consider a Tummy Tuck?

If you're a woman who is still planning to have children, then you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you're through bearing children. Here's why: During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened. Future pregnancies can separate these muscles.

Are you still planning to lose a lot of weight? Then you do not want to consider a tummy tuck.
It's important to note that a tummy tuck can cause prominent, permanent scarring. If this is something you don't want, you may want to reconsider. Your doctor will discuss all these options with you when you go for the consultation.

How a Tummy Tuck is Done ?

Depending on your desired results, this surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. The complexity of your particular situation also will determine whether you have it completed as an in-patient or outpatient procedure.

You will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It's important to have someone with you who can drive you home. If you live alone, you also will need someone to stay with you at least the first night after the surgery.

There are two options for a tummy tuck. You and your surgeon will discuss your desired results, and he or she will determine the appropriate procedure during your consultation.

I. Complete abdominoplasty
Your abdomen will be cut from hipbone to hipbone in this procedure, the option for those patients who require the most correction. The incision will be made low, at about the same level as your pubic hair.

Your surgeon will then manipulate and contour the skin, tissue and muscle as needed. Your belly button will have a new opening if you undergo this procedure, because it's necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may be placed under your skin and these will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.

II. Partial or mini abdominoplasty
Mini-abdominoplasties are often performed on patients whose fat deposits are located below the navel and require shorter incisions.

During this procedure, your belly button most likely will not be moved. Your skin will be separated between the line of incision and your belly button. This type of surgery may also be performed with an endoscope (small camera on the end of a tube). The procedure may only take up to two hours, again, depending on your own personal situation and the complexity of your needs.

How to Prepare For Tummy Tuck Surgery?

If you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. It is not enough to just cut down on smoking. You must stop completely for at least two weeks prior to surgery and for two weeks after. Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

Make sure you eat well-balanced, complete meals and do not try to diet excessively before the surgery. Proper nutrition plays a key role in healing properly.

If you take certain medications, your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking these for a certain period before and after the surgery. Your surgeon will determine this as part of your pre-operative consultation.

Before undergoing the surgery, you'll need to get your home ready for your post-operative care. Your home recovery area should include:

Plenty of ice packs
Supply of loose, comfortable clothing that can be taken on and off very easily
Petroleum jelly for incision sites
Telephone within reaching distance
Hand-held shower head and bathroom chair

You know yourself best, so make sure you set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area before you undergo the surgery to meet your personal needs.

What Are the Complications and Side Effects of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

As expected, you will have pain and swelling in the days following surgery. Your doctor can prescribe a painkiller if needed and will instruct you on how to best handle the pain. Soreness may last for several weeks or months.

You may also experience numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time period.
As with any surgery, there are risks. Remember, this surgery affects a very crucial part of your body. Though they're rare, complications can include infection, bleeding under the skin flap or blood clots. You may carry an increased risk of complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes or heart, lung or liver disease.

You may experience insufficient healing, which can cause more significant scarring or loss of skin. If you do heal poorly, you may require a second surgery.

As we mentioned before, the scars from a tummy tuck are fairly prominent and though they may fade slightly, they will never completely disappear. Your surgeon may recommend certain creams or ointments to use after you've completely healed to help with the scars.

Taking Care of Yourself After Surgery
Whether you're having a partial or complete tummy tuck, your incision site will be stitched and bandaged. It's very important that you follow all your surgeon's instructions on how to care for the bandage in the days following surgery. The bandage used will be a firm, elastic band that promotes proper healing. Your surgeon will also instruct you on how to best position yourself while sitting or lying down to help ease pain.

If you are an exceptionally physically active person, beware: You will have to severely limit strenuous exercise for at least six weeks. Your doctor will advise you on this as you go through the process. You may need to take up to one month off of work after the surgery to ensure proper recovery. Again, your doctor will help you determine this based on your personal situation.
Return to Living
Generally, most people love the new look after they've undergone this procedure. However, you may not feel like your normal self for months after the surgery. You've gone through a tremendous amount to make this happen, both emotionally and physically, and it's very important that you follow proper diet and exercise to maintain your new look.

Does Insurance Cover a Tummy Tuck?

Be warned: Insurance carriers generally do not cover elective, cosmetic surgery. But, your carrier may cover a certain percentage if you have a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or your anterior muscles are abnormally spread.

It's extremely important that you begin communicating with your insurance company early on, and that you discuss your insurance concerns with your surgeon. In most cases, your surgeon will write a letter to your insurance carrier, making the case for medical necessity, if it applies to you.

It's also very important to realize that insurance may only cover certain portions of the surgery, so make sure you get details. With any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you and your premiums may increase.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic, Department of Plastic Surgery.


See related before after images on Tummy Tuck Photos and Abdominoplasty Before and After. See this post on Tummy Tuck Gone Wrong

Utah Vacation - Spending Time with Family & Friends - Meeting my Favorite Author

Hello! Remember me? Yeah, I haven't been here for awhile. But I have a super good excuse, I've been on vacation!  My family and I just returned home from our week stay in Utah visiting family and a dear friend in Las Vegas.  My husband and I agree, this was probably one of the most fun vacations we have ever taken.

We stayed a week with family in Springville, Utah.  The kids played and caught up, as did the adults.  We also were able to watch the season change before our very eyes.  We left California after a day where the AC was needed, and we arrived in Utah on a typical autumn evening.  By mid-week, it was snowing throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

It was such an exciting week for me that I found myself without an appetite.  Yes, you heard correctly, WITHOUT an appetite.  I know, usually while on vacation, it's so easy to gorge on good food.  We had good food, I just didn't feeling like eating it.  I even had some dark chocolate stashed away, just in case.  I had one piece the day I bought it and I didn't touch it the remainder of the trip. I know, I am shocked too.

The only thing I can think of is that I was truly in a relaxed mode. When I am relaxed, food takes on a whole new meaning for me and I have better control over it, actually, it would seem, that I have complete control over it.  When I am stressed, tired and can't think straight, it's easy to snack and gorge and loose all control.  It felt great being in control this week and I feel a new resolve to get into a better routine to keep it permanent.

An exciting event that happened while in Utah was an opportunity to catch up with our favorite author, Kaleb Nation, at his book signing.  You have seen me talk about his books before.  (If not, scroll down)  Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse was published last year.  This year, Bran Hambric: The Specter Key, was released.  He's as sweet in person as he is online.  It was truly a pleasure to meet him.  We wish him the very best.
Kaleb and me.

Friday, October 29, 2010

It happened one night...a full-blown binge

It's strange how the harder I try to be "good", and the more I focus on thinking about always doing the right thing with food and exercise, the more obsessed I become with the idea of binging.

Yesterday was the culmination of weeks of work stress. There was some marriage stress mixed in there too but I think we've worked through that and are back on pretty solid ground. Things are winding down at work too, finally there's a feeling of calm after weeks and weeks of intense pressure to work faster and harder, along with major stress.

So what the hell happened? I don't really know how to explain it other than something just came over me. I've been feeling really hungry lately, but eating very clean, very healthy. Maybe my portions have sometimes been a little on the large side, but I haven't been gaining weight, just holding steady in the the 174-175 range. Not at all where I want to be (135).

I shop at a Northwest grocery store, Fred Meyers. It's a large grocery store, sort of a one-stop shopping kind of place. For the last couple of months they've had a big display of caramel frosted yellow cake sitting right by the check-out area. You have to pass it to get in line to check out your groceries. You can't miss this huge display of cake.

I have a thing for caramel. I love it. Anything caramel, it's my favorite. I don't really care for chocolate, but I'm in heaven with caramel. I also love yellow cake, hate chocolate cake. So this was a dangerous combination for me. Thick caramel frosting covering a tall two-layer yellow cake.

You can buy the cake in a package of two big slices, or 1/2 of the cake, or the entire cake. Every week I would look at this cake and think, no way! Poison for sure. I pass by it and head down the ice cream aisle to buy my sugar-free Skinny Cow sandwiches or the Weight Watcher fudge bars or the Dryers fruit bars (Pomegranate - 70 calories each). Week after week for at least two months.

Then yesterday happened. It was Halloween at work since most people work from home on Friday. I dressed up as a vampire in a very uncomfortable wig and lots of makeup (I'm doing it again this weekend so I'll post pictures). By mid-afternoon I felt kind of sick. The giant wig was hot, the hair from the wig was in my face all day and the makeup was itchy. I had only eaten my healthy lunch. I didn't touch the Halloween desserts or candy. I finally called it quits at 3pm and headed home.

On my way home I thought about that caramel cake. I thought about going home, ripping off the costume and washing my face and heading back to the store. I also thought about listening to Geneen Roth's "What to do in the middle of binge" CD that was sitting right there in the seat next to me in my car. I made the conscious decision that I just flat out didn't care. To hell with the diet and Geneen Roth (sorry Geneen...it's nothing personal).

I did exactly what I had planned. When I got home I changed clothes, washed off all the makeup and headed to Fred Meyers. I bought an entire caramel cake, three pints of Häagen-Dazs, a dozen bakery sugar cookies with pink frosting and a package of vanilla doublestuff Oreos, along with a gallon of 1% milk.

I ate 1/3 of the cake. The frosting was so sweet it literally hurt my teeth and it made my stomach hurt. I also ate one pint of the Häagen-Dazs. I had a miserable night. Of course, I ate all of this before my husband got home and I hid the remains. I tossed and turned all night. I had horrible night sweats, something I haven't had in weeks.

I broke every one of Geneen Roth's eating guidelines. Again, I just didn't care.

This morning was filled with regrets, but I got up and got myself to the gym for forty minutes of cardio. I'm heading back at noon for 40 minutes of strength.

When I came home from the gym I took the remaining caramel cake, the unopened Oreos and pink-iced sugar cookies, tore open the packages and dumped everything into a garbage bag. Then I cleaned the cat's litter box dumping the dirty litter on top of the food. I know that's really disgusting, but I've been known to pull things out of the garbage. The contents of the two remaining unopened Häagen-Dazs containers are now down the garbage disposal.

I just don't know how I feel about this whole thing. Why did I do that? It made me feel awful. Guilty. Sad. It didn't make anything in my life better. The entire time I was doing it I knew exactly what I was doing.

I haven't done anything that extreme for a very long time. Maybe even over a year or more. I've had a pint of ice cream a few times, but I haven't purchased a cake with the intention of eating the entire thing, along with two packages of cookies and three pints of ice cream. What the hell was I thinking? Was I even thinking anything?

I guess the difference between yesterday and my past full-blown binges is that I didn't actually eat the entire cake or the any of the cookies or all of the ice cream. In my past I would have continued the binge into today until every morsel was gone. I also would NOT have gone to the gym after a night of binging.

Maybe I have changed. Maybe I will be okay. It's just surprising to me how easily I can fall back into old, bad habits. It's disturbing that I seemed to be completely out of control yesterday.

Even though I've come a long way, I still have a long way to go...

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Fill Up to Slim Down: Feel-Full Eating Plan

Try this feel-full eating plan


Created by Katherine Brooking, R.D. This Feel Full Eating Plan delivers about 1,600 calories each day, plus all the nutrients you need.


Day 1 Breakfast. Veggie Scramble with Toast
Whisk 1 extra-large egg and 1 tbsp water in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 tsp canola oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook 1 cup chopped tomato, 1 cup sliced mushrooms and 2/3 cup diced green bell pepper until vegetables are tender, 3 minutes. Add egg and 6 tbsp shredded low fat cheddar; cook, stirring, until set, 2 minutes. Serve with 2 slices whole-grain toast, topped with 2 tsp fruit spread.

Lunch: Sushi Takeout
1 six-piece vegetable-and-fish sushi roll (such as a California roll), 1 cup broccoli florets sautéed in 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil with garlic, 1/2 cup salted edamame and 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce.

Snack. 12-oz skim milk latte

Dinner. Spinach Salad
Toss 4 cups fresh spinach with 1/2 cup sliced apple, 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, 1 1/2 oz lean ham and 1 oz feta. Top with 4 crushed walnut halves, 1/4 cup whole-wheat croutons and 2 tbsp reduced-fat salad dressing. Serve with 1 small whole-wheat pita. Treat. 3 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures.

Day 2 Breakfast. Almond Butter-Banana Toast

Toast 1 slice whole-wheat bread. Top with 1 tbsp almond butter and 1 sliced medium banana. Enjoy with 1 cup skim milk.

Lunch. The BVT (Bacon, Veggie and Tomato)
Heat grill to high. Brush 2 slices eggplant, 1 Portobello mushroom cap, 1 sliced zucchini and 1 sliced red bell pepper with 1 1/2 tsp olive oil. Grill 4 to 5 minutes. Stack veggies, 1 oz part-skim mozzarella, 2 tomato slices and 4 cooked turkey bacon slices between 2 slices multigrain bread.

Snack. 1 part-skim mozzarella stick

Dinner. Beef with Asparagus
Prepare 1 cup cooked brown rice as directed on package; place 2/3 cup in a container and set aside for another day. Heat grill or grill pan to high. Coat 12 medium asparagus spears with 1 1/2 tsp olive oil and grill until tender-crisp, 5 minutes. Serve with remaining rice, 3 oz precooked lean beef brisket and 1 small multigrain roll. Treat. 6 oz red wine.

Day 3 Breakfast. Cereal and Fruity Cottage Cheese
Top 1 cup high-fiber cereal, such as Barbara's Shredded Spoonfuls, with 1/2 cup skim milk and 3 tbsp ground flaxseed (a healthy fat). Serve with 1/2 cup balled watermelon, 1/3 cup cubed honeydew, 1/3 cup cubed cantaloupe and 1/4 cup 1 percent cottage cheese.

Lunch. Hearty Tomato Vegetable Soup
Heat reduced-sodium canned tomato soup (such as Campbell's Healthy Request) using skim milk instead of water. Place 1 1/2 cups soup in a bowl, add 2 cups spinach, 3/4 cup chopped tomato, 1/3 cup chickpeas and 1/4 cup cooked corn kernels. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Serve with 1 small multigrain roll.

Snack. 1 small whole-wheat pita and 1 cup carrot sticks dipped in 3 tbsp plain hummus

Dinner. Lemon Chicken with Black Beans
Steam 1/2 cup diced bell pepper and 1 cup sliced mushrooms for 4 minutes. Mix with 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, 3/4 cup chopped tomato and 1/2 cup drained and rinsed canned black beans. Serve with 1 Kashi Lemon Rosemary Chicken frozen entree, prepared as directed on package.

Treat. One 16 oz (Grande) Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino Light

Day 4 Breakfast. Berry Smoothie
Combine 1/3 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and 1/3 cup raspberries with 4 oz lowfat plain yogurt, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup ice in a blender. Mix until smooth. Serve with 3 whole-wheat crackers, each topped with 1 tsp regular peanut butter.

Lunch. Tuna Melt
Mix 5 oz water-packed chunk light tuna, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup grated carrots and 1 tbsp reduced-fat mayonnaise in a bowl. Toast 2 slices whole-wheat bread.

Top each piece of toast with 1 medium tomato slice, 1/2 of tuna mixture and 1/2 slice reduced-fat Swiss cheese; heat in toaster oven until cheese melts, about 2 1/2 minutes.

Snack. Chocolate Banana. Slice 1/2 banana and top with 1 tbsp chocolate syrup

Dinner. Turkey Pita with Fries
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Peel 1/2 medium sweet potato and slice into 1/4-inch strips. Place strips on baking sheet and coat with vegetable oil cooking spray. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. Coat with cooking spray.

Heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook a prepared turkey patty until cooked through, 4 minutes on each side. Stuff a 6-inch whole-wheat pita with patty, 2 tbsp hummus, 1/6 of an avocado, sliced, and 4 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella. Serve with fries. Treat. 24 Snyder's Snaps Pretzels.

Day 5 Breakfast. Egg Sandwich and Fruit
Whisk 1 medium egg with 6 tbsp shredded low fat cheddar. Lightly coat frying pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Heat on low. Add egg and cook until firm, about 2 minutes. Toast a whole-wheat English muffin; spread with 1 tbsp trans-fat-free margarine spread; fill with egg-cheese mixture. Serve with 1 medium orange.

Lunch. Veggie Enchiladas with Broccoli Salad
Heat 2 Amy's Black Bean Vegetable Enchiladas according to package instructions. Mix 1 cup steamed broccoli florets, 3/4 cup chopped tomato, 3 cups mixed greens and 1/4 cup chopped onion. Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil and 2 tsp balsamic vinegar. Serve warm enchiladas with salad.

Snack. 2 1/2 Mini Babybel Light cheese rounds and 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries

Dinner. Penne with Shrimp and Peas
Prepare 1 cup cooked whole-wheat penne. At the same time, heat a medium saute pan over high heat. Add 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes and 1/4 cup cooked fresh or frozen peas. Place 7 large cooked shrimp in pan with vegetables and toss mixture with drained pasta. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan. Treat. 1 Skinny Cow Mint Ice Cream Sandwich.