Readers Respond: Reasons People Get Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

Has having children wreaked havoc on your once-taut tummy? Has significant weight loss left you with hanging skin? Or has gravity merely taken its toll? Do you have a special life event coming up (like a wedding or class reunion)? Or are you doing it just as a present for yourself?

Are you planning a tummy tuck as part of a "mommy makeover" along with other procedures like a breast lift, or are you going for an overall slimming by adding a little liposuction into the mix?

Share your plans and your reasons for considering abdominoplasty.

See tummy tuck before and after photos.

ASHAMED OF THE LOOK OF MY STOMACH

I am so ashamed of the look of my stomach. I have 3 children, and the pregnancies really took a toll on my stomach. I was told no matter how many sit ups I do they will not help my stomach because the bands are broken in my stomach. I had a Total Hysterectomy 12/03/08 and lost weight behind it (56 lbs, was weighing 232 lbs before surgery). I am so ashamed of my stomach that even when my husband and I are making love all I see is this big blob. My stomach looks like 2 butt cheeks. Sometimes I find myself pinching the extra skin and saying to myself I want to get rid of this ugly extra blob so I can look sexy in my clothes. I wish I could find a sack of money (about $8,000.00) to pay for the surgery.

—CCTH00

2 Kids Time for Tummy Tuck

I am a 29 year old mother of a 9 year old and a 2 year old. It has all taken a toll on my body. It started when I had my first son plus on top of that I became hypothyroid so I gained lots of weight. When I had my 2 year old it all went down hill even more. I didn't gain weight but I did gain more excess skin. I am ready to have a tummy tuck. I deserve to have a flat stomach once and for all.

—Guest Veronica

I Did It - I Had a Tummy Tuck

After losing 130 pounds and maintaining my weight loss for over a year with exercise I decided to do a tummytuck. It is a long and painful recovery but the results are impressive. I can just now return to the gym after 1 month. It will take 4 months to see the final results. Despite the discomfort I am happy to be rid of my hanging skin and to get my shape back. Im 58 years old.

—erbe38

Tummy Tuck for Rock Hard Abs

I had two kids one a teen and one 7 now. I work out like an animal and my belly still sticks out. I cannot believe I finally decided to do this. I dont have stretch marks but I hate my belly. I'm tiny and it bugs me. I dated a man once who told me I have a nasty looking stomach via text message so that was it for me. I let that loser go but I will be gaining my body back. I'm 38 and will have a body like a 20 yr old again. wooooo hooo

—Guest krissy

Tummy Tuck After 100lb Weight Loss

I recently lost over 100 pounds doing weightwatchers. I doubt I will ever get it done, expensive, plus I need arms and thighs done too.

—Guest peggy

Tummy Tuck for My Husband

My husband has left for a year to go to Korea (military) and I have this awful stomach that I would love to get tucked for him before he comes back. We have 2 children and we are not having any more so this would be a perfect time. My youngest is 3. If only I could afford it! One day maybe.

—Guest Tiffany

Tummy Tuck for Excess Skin

After losing over 100 pounds I had too much excess skin. Diet and exercise would not take it off. A Tummy Tuck was the only way to get rid of it.[link removed]

—Tanner2009

Genetic Cellulite - Will Tummy Tuck Help

No matter how skinny I get, (seriously 115 lbs), I never have a flat stomach.

—khayesrn

I understand why you would

Althought I am not currently considering a tummy tuck, a friend of mine had one recently. Because of the way that she carried her children, her stomach was disfigured. She had a great deal of stretched out and scarred skin. Her results were terrific (although she had other medical complications). If in the same situation I would consider having a tummy tuck done.

—Guest Anne W.

Abdominal Surgery and Babies

After having abdominal surgeries and a closed-up stoma location, my abdomen is lopsided and full of scars. I've already had a consultation, and will almost certainly have some kind of "work" done after I'm finished having children. I figure I've been through enough, I can at least have a nice-looking tummy!

—Guest Violet

Past the Age of Caring About Tight Abs

If I were considering having plastic surgery done, which I'm not, a tummy tuck might be it. In my mid thirties I was saving money for liposuction for my thighs. A friend told me in my thirties to wait until I was in my forties and if I still wanted to have a boob job, tummy tuck, or whatever then go ahead. She guessed that by the time I hit my forties I'd feel better about my body. She was right. Do I love my thighs? Not really, but I no longer wanted liposuction. I ended up using the money to have laser surgery for myopia instead. So if you are in your thirties and you are considering getting some work done, I advise you to wait until you turn forty and see if you still feel the same.

—Guest lila

Need a Tummy Tuck After Two Kids

I can't stand the way my stomach looks after having two babies. Since my little one is only 8 months old, I'm not considering anything yet, but I might if it stays like this after another year or so. I'd like to be able to wear something other than baggy shirts all the time!

—Guest Katydid

Divorce, Dating Again, Want a Nice Tummy

It was one thing to show my saggy belly to the father of the children that caused the sag, but I want that tuck done before I show it to anyone else!

—Guest ellen

Two Babies - Way Too Much Skin

After my first child, I got away clean, so to speak. Baby #2 was not quite so kind to my physique, especially since I had her at the not-so-young age of 38. My skin never bounced back. It bothers me the most when I lie on my side, and all this extra skin hangs down to the bed. Now I am HOPING that a couple rounds of Thermage will do it, but I'm thinking I'll probably end up wanting the full-on tummy tuck.

—Guest Nancy