After I have Jaden, my baby girl I am currently pregnant with, I am considering having a Tummy Tuck in a year or so.

I lost about 130 pounds after a gastric bypass and then got pregnant right away (not intentionally ).

I have a skin fold/flap from having had too much skin on/below my belly and I doubt it will go away with even a ton of exercise.

My question would be, how long is the recovery? Is there muscle cutting involved? Is it a short recovery?

Has anyone had this done?

I was hoping to have a cruise with my family in about 2 years (summer 2008) but since I am having Jaden into the year 2007, I will be using all my Vacation/sick, etc time for maternity leave for the year 2007.

If I do a cruise for 2008, for a 7 day Bermuda cruise, will I be able to do a tummy tuck before that and have enough recovery time? Is this gonna be a 6-week recovery period? (I have about 3 weeks of time for vacation, etc for each year)

I know nothing about this, just wanted a little input from other members who might be in the "know".

No, I haven't had one but a Google search for "Abdominoplasty Recovery" brings up lots of sites. For instance, link 1, link 2, link 3.

Most of them say the patient typically returns to work in 2-4 weeks, so I would think going on a cruise is feasible after that time period. Better to wait 6 weeks if you can, or longer if there are any surgical complications.

I would be skeptical of a surgeon who wants to send you home as an outpatient immediately after leaving the Recovery Room. Plan to at least spend the night in the hospital as a "23-hour admit." I know you'll want to save $$, but if your surgery is extensive then there are concerns about blood loss, 3rd-spacing, pain & nausea control, etc. overnight. You may need drains, Foley, etc., anyway that will prevent you from from going home till the next day. Obviously you'll talk this over with your doctor. Good luck!

And congratulations (in advance) on Jaden!