Nicolle had plastic surgery!
Hi, everyone! just wanted to give you all an update of my whereabouts recently.
Last Thursday, I had an extended tummy tuck (cut horizontally, from just past one hip to past the other) with an anchor cut (a vertical scar from breastbone to just past the belly button) AND a bilateral brachioplasty (arms). Oh, and I got a little bit of liposuction on my hips and mons areas. In all, he removed just over 5 pounds of skin and fat from my body.
After a lot of research and three in-person consults, I selected Michael J Lee at Northwestern in Chicago. www.michaeljleemd.com/
I like him as a person and I like his results with post-bariatric people. So far, so good. I am sore, which is to be expected. But my scars look better than I thought they would. I have a little bit of swelling that will last for a while.
The entire hospital treated me like a princess. Such lovely people! I am on some nice pain pills that make me delightfully sleepy and peaceful. Oh, and it makes everyone seem lovelier than they probably are! It's like plastic surgery beer goggles!
I have pictures on my profile of my "before" and some current (2 days out from plastics) ones. I will add new ones as my healing progresses. The afters look a little gruesome, but they hurt far less than you would think they do, if that helps!
FYI, because most people have been asking me these questions via PM and in the DS forum: my insurance paid for my TT (about $11,000-12,000) and I self-paid for my arms ($4,000). My surgeon usually charges $5,000 for the arms but he gave me a multi-procedure discount. (Now is a good time to wheel and deal for elective surgery!)
If you are considering plastics, first call your insurance company to find out what your policy covers and what documentation you need. It may be worth it to enroll in a different policy during the next open enrollment period for one that covers reconstructive surgery, Be sure and document any skin issues such as rashes, boils, pain, etc. Take photos, make sure your doctor treats them with topical creams, etc. Get it into your medical record.
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
Last Thursday, I had an extended tummy tuck (cut horizontally, from just past one hip to past the other) with an anchor cut (a vertical scar from breastbone to just past the belly button) AND a bilateral brachioplasty (arms). Oh, and I got a little bit of liposuction on my hips and mons areas. In all, he removed just over 5 pounds of skin and fat from my body.
After a lot of research and three in-person consults, I selected Michael J Lee at Northwestern in Chicago. www.michaeljleemd.com/
I like him as a person and I like his results with post-bariatric people. So far, so good. I am sore, which is to be expected. But my scars look better than I thought they would. I have a little bit of swelling that will last for a while.
The entire hospital treated me like a princess. Such lovely people! I am on some nice pain pills that make me delightfully sleepy and peaceful. Oh, and it makes everyone seem lovelier than they probably are! It's like plastic surgery beer goggles!
I have pictures on my profile of my "before" and some current (2 days out from plastics) ones. I will add new ones as my healing progresses. The afters look a little gruesome, but they hurt far less than you would think they do, if that helps!
FYI, because most people have been asking me these questions via PM and in the DS forum: my insurance paid for my TT (about $11,000-12,000) and I self-paid for my arms ($4,000). My surgeon usually charges $5,000 for the arms but he gave me a multi-procedure discount. (Now is a good time to wheel and deal for elective surgery!)
If you are considering plastics, first call your insurance company to find out what your policy covers and what documentation you need. It may be worth it to enroll in a different policy during the next open enrollment period for one that covers reconstructive surgery, Be sure and document any skin issues such as rashes, boils, pain, etc. Take photos, make sure your doctor treats them with topical creams, etc. Get it into your medical record.
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Hi Nicolle. I saw your pictures and am delighted. The swelling will go down and the scars will fade. I couldn't tell the extra skin when I saw you in person. You look fabulous. I was wondering why you were having the brachioplasty.
I'm glad the TED stockings idea worked for you. It sure helped me a lot and gave me a lot of support. I didn't have to worry about the ace wraps coming down, etc. They were comfortable for me.
I wrote on the DS Forum about my insurance denial. When I get home from vacation, I will have to write an appeal letter. It's a shame since I paid for both procedures myself. Melissa is having hers done a day after mine, so I will have a Chicagoan friend in the hospital with me. YAY!! Maybe some of the Rabkin angels in San Francisco will come and visit us.
Take it easy and let your hubby help out. Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Lucy
I'm glad the TED stockings idea worked for you. It sure helped me a lot and gave me a lot of support. I didn't have to worry about the ace wraps coming down, etc. They were comfortable for me.
I wrote on the DS Forum about my insurance denial. When I get home from vacation, I will have to write an appeal letter. It's a shame since I paid for both procedures myself. Melissa is having hers done a day after mine, so I will have a Chicagoan friend in the hospital with me. YAY!! Maybe some of the Rabkin angels in San Francisco will come and visit us.
Take it easy and let your hubby help out. Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Lucy
484.8/383.4/241/188/150
Pre-op/RNY day/pre DS day/current/goal- Realize Band 5/15/08; RNY 6/8/05, Removal Band and RNY to DS 8/25/10. RNY & Band surgeon was Dr. Guske.
Hi Nicolle,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the plastics.It was very informative. I want to do the same, but, when I called our insurance co. one of the main things was a BMI under 30. I am still 8 points away from it. Your idea of looking for another insurance is great.
BTW, you look great, even 2 days out.
LISA
Thank you for sharing your experience with the plastics.It was very informative. I want to do the same, but, when I called our insurance co. one of the main things was a BMI under 30. I am still 8 points away from it. Your idea of looking for another insurance is great.
BTW, you look great, even 2 days out.
LISA
Thank you SO much for sharing!
I would love to have this done some time, but my husband is getting tired of me having surgery and all the co-pays that go along with it. I guess I will just have to start a fund.
I hope you continute to recovery well! You look great!
I would love to have this done some time, but my husband is getting tired of me having surgery and all the co-pays that go along with it. I guess I will just have to start a fund.
I hope you continute to recovery well! You look great!
Tell someone that you love them!
Dawn
253/223/167/127
HW/SW/CW/GW
It's a process. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward, and the fear is manageable as you figure out each step. It's amazing where the journey takes you!
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
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