Anybody riding after a tummy tuck or lower body lift?

[mtngirl]

Gastric bypass and massive weight loss come with their own share of problems. Never hit my goal weight, but I’ve maintained a 140lbs loss for 28 years. :). I never had the time or finances to be able to do anything about the slack, excess skin, but now, after retirement and years of saving, I do.

Frankly the loose, flabby, floppy skin is not only unattractive, but annoying and downright painful at times. Double, or no bounce bras, body shapewear etc help, but are a PITA and excessively hot. :(. But, this type surgery is extensive, painful and expensive. I’m wondering if it would be worth the trouble? While I know several people who have had this type of surgery, none were equestrians.

I’ve spoken with several plastic surgeons, who all say I could return to riding. One even says he can tailor the lower body lift and still get great results without scarring to my inner thighs or the buttock area that actually makes contact with the saddle. He specializes in plastic surgery for massive weight loss and is not just a " boobs and butt" plastic surgeon. At least he recognized and acknowledged that horseback riding is not a passive sport!

So, anybody out there who has gone this route and is currently riding? . Tell me about your experience. Good, bad, the problems, the benefits. Worth it??? I’m not totally committed to having the surgery. I know it will mean a good 8-12 weeks layoff from riding. I’d like to hear from fellow equestrians and not just the reassurances of plastic surgeons angling for my business.

Your advice and input are greatly appreciated.

[yaya]

[QUOTE=mtngirl;8951176]

I’ve spoken with several plastic surgeons, who all say I could return to riding. One even says he can tailor the lower body lift and still get great results without scarring to my inner thighs or the buttock area that actually makes contact with the saddle. [/QUOTE]

This is the part that I worry about the most. Good to know it can be done.

Will probably need this as well at some point. Gastric sleeve, 100 lbs gone for 3 years.

[Erika]

I clicked on your thread as I am contemplating a tummy tuck due to some floppy tummy bits thanks to 2 pregnancies & 2 c-sections in the next few years. If I get down to and maintain my goal weight… Just 20 lbs to go.

Otherwise, I have nothing helpful to share. Congratulations on your journey to better health! It does sound like you have consulted with the right specialist though. Good luck!

I am confident that you will receive some great answers from our COTH community.

[phoenixrises]

Same boat, sleeve done 150lbs gone for 3+ years. I was just going to do a skin removal on the front of my stomach even though I know it wouldn’t return ideal results. For me it’ll probably be good enough.

[devcubber]

I am 5’4" and 20 years ago had a 10#, 24" baby. C-section. He never dropped, so the result was an amusing apron of skin that I could roll up and tuck in my big undies like a Little Debbie sweaty Cake Roll. I had a hernia where the ab muscles were sewn up, so needed surgery to repair so I wouldn’t colic and die of sepsis or whatever…and ganged up the anesthesia with a tummy tuck while I was there. BEST DECISION EVER. Changed my posture and my confidence and restored me to a normal size. The surgery was very much like a C-section in terms of pain and reduced mobility for awhile, but I rode gently at 6 weeks post op. It’s been 10 years now, and I would say GO FOR IT, as it changed the quality of my life and the way I ride and feel about myself.

[Island_Equestrian]

My situation is somewhat different, but the surgery effect has been the same. I am a cancer survivor who had a DIEP procedure for reconstructive surgery. The DIEP uses fat, blood vessels, and skin from your abdomen (and, in my case, from some other areas as well) to create new breasts. A long incision, like a smile, is made from hip to hip, and the necessary materials are harvested and transferred to your chest. A considerable amount of skin is used, and when you’re stitched up and recovering you start out bent over and unable to stand up straight. Is this the same with your abdominal surgery? Anyway, starting back to riding 4 years later, the hardest thing is getting my good posture back. I had the tendency to be hunched over because of never fully straightening up all the way after the surgery. It has taken me 5 months (I started back to my riding in July 2016) but the payoff of being able to sit straight again has more than made up for the long months of hearing my trainer say, “Sit up straight!” I think this is possibly the best form of exercise available for abdominal issues, because form is so important and your core is at the heart of it. I am literally reconditioning my abdominal muscles every time I ride, and I can feel how hard i worked every time I drive home. Be prepared for being more tired than usual after you ride, initially. This, and my age, i consider to be the other greatest challenges to my riding. I started back at just one day a week, and at first that really was all I could do. Now I’m doing a partial lease (3 day/ week) and working back to the energy level necessary to ride every day. But, absolutely, returning to riding is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Good luck to you as you return!

[mtngirl]

Well, I’ve set a date and going to do it!

Thanks for your replies and words of encouragement. Lower Body lift, getting rid of the bat wings on my arms and breast lift/reduction scheduled for January 26,2017. I’m both scared and excited. There will also be some liposuction for “contouring”. The plastic surgeon I’ve chosen specializes in post massive weight loss surgery…in fact it is 80% of his practice.

Now comes the countdown and planning stage. At least I’m going to have it done during winter, when I can’t ride as much due to the weather. Crossing my fintges that all goes well and I’ll be back riding in Spring!

[mtngirl]

I’ve set a date. Going through with the plastic surgery!

I’m both scared and excited. Lower body lift, breast lift/reduction, liposuction for body contouring and removing the bat wings on my upper arms. I feel good about the plastic surgeon I’ve chosen. Over 80% of his practice is surgery for post massive weight loss.

Now the countdown and planning stage intensifies. At least this is scheduled during winter when the weather reduces my riding time. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well and I’ll be back to riding in the Spring.

Thanks for your replies and words of encouragement!

[BasqueMom]

Wishing you the best outcome possible!