Tummy Tuck questions

Happy New Year Everyone! I'm down 110lbs..whoot whoot! I'd like to lose another 10 and hopefully maintain at 160 lbs. Anything under 160, & I believe I'll start looking "sickly". My extra skin is starting to become more "flabby" and loosy goosy in my tummy area. For those of you who have completed your WL when/how long did you wait before going in for cosmetic surgery? It's all around my lower ab section & is loose across the lower back/hips & top of my thighs as well. For those of you who have Dr. Barba does he do the the surgery or does he recommend someone for you? I doubt if my insurance will cover the tummy tuck/skin removal. I'm not having any side effects with rashes or anything...(thank God!) just more self conscious..than anything. More than likely this will have to come out of pocket...any ideas of how much a tummy tuck will cost? Thanks everyone for your input. A new year & a new me! Mickey

Hi Michelle: I am in "countdown mode" for my tummy tuck. I'm scheduled for Monday the 16th, bright and early at the Norwalk Hospital. I have heard of insurance companies paying for the surgery, if you have even the slightest rash/irritation/other issues be sure to have them documented and photographed, it just might be worth it. As for costs, I can tell you my T.T. and male breast reduction is $12,000. Good luck to you, happy new year and new you, Bob

Hi Bob, Thank you for your information. I'm going to hold off until my 1 year check up in April and go from there. Best wishes and thoughts to you for a safe surgery and quick recovery. Your surgery is right around the corner! Happy New Year to you also! I'll be hitting 40 this year & hopefully looking fabulous...LOL Mickey

I am on the countdown as well at least for a few months. My quote was 12,000 just for the tummy tuck and I need a breast reduction, which Dr. is doing yours? I would like to check with them. Thanks BlkNectar

Hi, I had RNY done 2yrs ago. I am now 180lbs down from 270lbs. I also had no rashes, I have loose skin in my lower abdomen, but not that much, compared to others. I also had no idea where to begin... Last month I made an appt with DR.Borowski in Middletown. He took pictures of me and said he would submit all info to my insurence. We didnt discuss much else because I was very frank, I said to him that if the insurence didn't cover it, I reallly couldnt afford it. Well, to my surprise last Sat, I got a letter from my insurence and it said I got approved!!!!!. I am still in SHOCK!!! So definitely just go ahead and schedule the appt and get your BALL ROLLING!!!!

Hi Sharon, Thanks for sharing your experience and it's wonderful that the insurance covered! I'm holding off until my year check up in April before moving forward with anything. I figured I've been overweight my whole life...and I should be able to "suck it up" and deal with the extra love handles that are hanging for a little while longer...LOL Mickey

Please allow me to caution you with regard to WHEN you plan your reconstructive work. The minimum I would wait is one year to begin seeking advice, unless there is some major medical need. Even when you reach your 'goal' weight, you're NOT done changing. Your body will continue to shift and change, even if you're not loosing major weight anymore. 5 lbs loss on a 160 lb woman is a HUGE DIFFERENCE (in fact it's almost one size) compared to 5 lbs on a 300 lb woman(which is a drop in the bucket, take it from me!). So, keep that in mind. You should also strive to be in the BEST possible shape you can be pre-PS in order to maximize your results. After all, you wouldn't want to go through all that trouble and pain to loose another 10 or 20 lbs and look baggy/flabby again, would you? Ideally, you should be as close to your IDEAL BMI as you can conceivable get for maximum results. Of course, this is just a general rule and YMMV (your mileage may vary- LOL) I've seen costs of anywhere from $5000 on up for a TT, depending onthe Dr and the amount of work. Don't give up on insurance until you've at least given it a try! Good luck to you. Best, Lisa

Hi Lisa, Thank you for all of the helpful info. It sounds like the majority are stating to wait a year-18 months. My year checkup is in April so I can hang onto my loose love handles for a while longer. You are definately right..I'm losing inches like crazy all of a sudden & broke my 2 month plateau and dropped almost another 5 pounds. I love it when the scale is being my friend....LOL Mickey

Laisa, which Dr. are you talking about for that little of money??? BlkNectar

HI I actually had a tummy tuck and my thighs done 4 yrs ago, the total ost for both then was 9,000, i had it done then because i had lost 90 lbs on my own, then i broke my back and gained it all back plus some, i had my wls surgery 3/31/05 since then i've lost 81 lbs, i am at 165, i want to be 135 i am actually 2 lbs for my ideal weight for my height 5'8 1/2 anyway, my tummy tuck was done so tight i never gained any of the weight back in my stomach or thighs and i don't have to worry about getting another sugery,( except for a boob lift) lol well my whole point to my responce is that my insurance company just sent a letter saying that they now as of 2006 are cover tummy tucks for wls patients, i have guardian heatlth net, i would check w/your ins company xoxo jess