Plastics--Any doc recommendations?

Hey, guys! It's for me to start looking into some reconstructive surgery. In a perfect world, I would have the money and nerve to do a lower body lift, arms and breasts. My priority is my abdomen, though.

I have BC/BS of IL and what they will cover will be a major factor. It doesn't look good to get anything beyond my tummy covered, though.

I have consults lined up with the following three docs:

Dr. Lee (Northwestern)
Dr. Cohen (UIC)
Dr. Lease (IL Masonic/St. Joe/Thorek)

I have decided to take a pass on Dr. Zachary, due to one friend's recent experience.

Do any of you have any info on any of these three docs?  Do you have any other names for me to consider (keeping in mind that each consult is about $100-150 cash). If you'd rather keep your comments private, feel free to send me a PM.

Any advice would be appreciated. If I go through with any of this, I will let you guys know how it all goes. Knowledge is power right?

Thanks!!!

Nicolle

Hi - If you're willing to go to the burbs, I had 3 rounds of plastics with Dr. Jack Gelman in Frankfort.

http://www.plasticsurgeryexperts.net/about-dr-gelman.html

Did a TT, breast reconstruction & "bat-wing-ectomy" and then one more pinch of skin removal. 

Very good results and I obviously liked him and the practice a lot to go back - and I live about an hour away.  Surgery was in Tinley Park, not too far off I-80.

I also had had a consult with Dr. Zachary but Dr. Gelman was a better fit for me.

Good Luck

Lynn

Thanks! I am not afraid of driving anywhere for good results and I have family in Hickory Hills, not too far.

Nicolle

Dave & I went to Steve Madry. He has 2 offices in the burbs. He is kind of pompose (sp?) but we have good results. He does his surgery at ABMC (EGV), (sorry, incorrect info the first time) Barrington and Water Tower Place. I had my surgeries a****er Tower, great clean and professional facility.

I didn't like Dr Cohen's work. He left me with butt cheeks on my stomach. :D



I am about a month out, so it may heal a little better, but for now it looks bad.

Yikes.

I must admit, I have heard via PM from two people here about his work. They cautioned that students do the work in many cases, as it is a teaching hospital.

Good luck on your butt/stomach healing! I'm sure it will look better in time.

Nicolle

I don't care if someone is pompous, as long as they get my body shaped up!

Thanks!

Nicolle

Hi Nicolle...

I saw Dr. Lee as one of my consults and liked him. The problem was the price. For the abdominoplasty with lipo it was almost $11k and nothing was covered by insurance.

My surgery is this Friday and I have decided to go with the chief resident at Northwestern plastics group.  It is a 7 year residency program and the doctor that is doing my surgery graduates in June. So... he has 6 and 3/4 years done and my surgery will be performed under the watchful eye of an attending. Dr Kim has experience with weight loss patients too. A friend of mine had gone to him last summer and was very happy with her results. It ends up being more than 40% discounted. I can update you after my surgery if you are interested.

btw... I agree with your pass on Dr Zachary based on information shared with me by my doctors at Northwestern.

Good luck with your research... the whole process is exciting.  ~Marci

Marci, your big day is almost here! Congrats!

I am not sure what frightens me most--the potential pain or the actual price of plastics!

That is a really wonderful option at NW--thanks for the tip!  I will definitely check it out for the pieces my insurance will not help with (I hope it's not ALL, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it). I have heard of such deals with residents and have heard great things about the quality, too. It sounds like you are in good hands.

If you like what you see, tell Dr. Kim to stick around for me!!! LOL.

And yes, if you think of it, I would love an update. Frankly, I'll bet the whole Illinois board would like an update (based on the PMs I have received about this topic!)

Take care,

Nicolle