Mary Lucina never had a weight problem until she became pregnant. Once she delivered her son, she continued to pack on the pounds and eventually developed high blood pressure and diabetes. Her weight topped at 247 pounds. Desperate to get her weight under control, Mary had gastric bypass surgery two years ago.

I went from being overweight and then I lost 80 pounds but I still had a lot of excess skin so I went for the tummy tuck which was then followed by the PULL procedure, says Mary Lucina.

Known as the PULL procedure, it's being touted as the latest technique in body contouring. It is a combination of liposuction and lifting, removing some of the tissue in the bikini area, explains plastic surgeon, Dr. Steve Fallek.

Extreme weight loss or pregnancy can sometimes make it difficult for the abdomen to return to its original shape. As a result, some patients not only have sags in the abdominal area, but also in the bikini area. The excess skin usually hangs down from the abdomen forming a pouch.

The PULL technique is a day surgery and patients are usually sent home two to three hours after the procedure. An incision is made in the bikini crease area, it is a tiny incision, liposuction is then performed, the skin,
the incision is then pulled up, excess skin is removed and the area is
stitched closed with stitches that dissolve,” reports Dr. Fallek.

Dr. Fallek cautions that the pull procedure is not a weight loss panacea.
Similar with any surgery, this is not a dieting technique
And there is certainly a chance for some reoccurrence of the tissue if
you again gain significant weight.”

With her weight finally in check, and her plastic surgery behind her, Mary says she’s thrilled to be living in what she calls her “new and improved” body.

It's nice to go out and get nice clothes, my son was getting married this year so that was nice to go out and get a dress and feel good at the wedding about myself says Mary.

The procedure which takes approximately one to two hours can be performed in a hospital or a surgicenter. It usually runs any where from five to seven thousand dollars and it is not covered by insurance. The PULL technique can be performed alone or in combination with a standard tummy tuck.

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