Plastic surgeons

I was given the names of Dr Bergman and Dr Turkle to contact if I wanted to get a consult for a tummy tuck.  What opinions do you all have and does anyone have experience with these Drs?

I am not sure about having it done.  Ist I need to see if insurance will pay any on it--any thoughts on that?  Or what the cost is if they won't, which I probably won't be getting it done if insurance doesn't pay.  Also my thoughts on elective surgery has changed drastically in the last year.

Just wanting advice from my friends out there.

Thanks,  Terry

Terry I was referred to Dr Lee at St Francis.  I had my consult with him about six weeks ago.  The cost was estimated to be $5,300 out of pocket for a full tummy tuck if my insurance paid for the panni part.   The cost for a complete tummy tuck without help from my insurance would be $6,700.  He explained the difference between the tummy tuck and the panni only and I definatly would do the full tummy tuck or be left with a lil muffin top..(ugh).  Like I said before I am still on the fence, because like you , I worry about elective surgeries and spending money on unnecessary things.

I LOVE Dr Bergman.  You can count on approx $5K per procedure.  She will submit for insurance, not every Dr will do that.  Also, depending on the amount of weight lost, it is considered reconstructive surgery and is tax deductable.  Dr B is very caring.  Sherri can vouch for that also.  When Sherri was in the hospital Dr B came to see her (off the clock) more than her other docs.  I had a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation with silicone implants (additional $, but worth it).  $11,300 all inclusive, that's surgery suite, anesthesia, AND all follow-up care.

A word about follow up care.  My sister-in-law had a breast augmentation done by another doctor (not sure who it was) and as soon as she woke up from the anethesia she was shown the door.  I asked her when she was to go back for a check-up and she said she didn't have any follow-ups scheduled.  I asked if she needed to make appointments and she said no.  The doctor did not include ANY follow up, nor did he give her any post-op instructions.  That's what you get for using a coupon in the Sunday paper as your referral.
With Dr B I had a 6-week, 12-week, 6-month, 12-month and yearly thereafter.  It's been two years now and I have not been billed for any of the follow-up appointments.

I didn't even touch base on the follow-up appointments and that is a very important note. I have had oh I don't know...50 follow-up appointments maybe since my initial surgery Oct. 2007. For awhile there, I was having to go once a week. I had a place on my leg that kept filling up with liquid so I had to keep having it drained & packed. Not once was I charged an additional dime for these appointments. Two of the hernia repair attempt surgeries that I had, Dr. Bergman assisted. The insurance only paid her $100 each time. I don't think they realized how very vital her services were for my recovery. She still never charged me a single cent more. During one of my hospital stays, I had specialists from the Hemophilia center to show up that were told ahead of time NOT to come. They charged and received ~$185 per visit to the hospital that they made! Dr. Bergman never charged Anthem for any of her visits.

Sherri

Teri, 

I went to both for a consult.

Dr Turkle's office was all about $$$$$. I watched the standard movie explaining my procedure of choice, but when I had my one on one with Dr Turkle it was uhm... odd. Like scripted, like 'Oh another patient, GREAT! NOT!" I felt very intimidated and scared. Did not like my appointment with them at all. And even though I explained my insurance covered my procedure (Panni removal) they wanted me to pay out of pocket to them and then have my insurance reimburse me later. Uhm.. I don't think so. 

Dr Bergman was all about what she could do for me. Even though my insurance said they would ONLY pay for the Panni removal, she found a way (she called it a pseudo tummy tuck) where she could unattach the upper skin and let it drape or fall as much as she could get it to into the panni removal area. She said she really didn't like leaving her patients with partial procedures just because insurances said so & because I have issues with healing and blood supply because of the amount of radiation I was exposed during cancer treatments she stated she wouldn't be eager to do a regular tummy-tuck with me anyways. She said this was my best option. So I went with Dr Bergman. My results of my tummy tuck are on my MySpace page..(http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=33494546&blogId=514367860) if you'd like to look. I've been treated really great by her. I know that Gail and Sherri both are fans of her also. She's just generally a great person & her office staff are just as great. 

 

Good Luck w/your choice

Jodi

Terry,

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Bergman. She sincerely cares about her patients. She does a wonderful job...and relatively, is inexpensive. When I had my consult with Dr. Turkle she was about double the price and absolutely refused to try to get the insurance to cover a dime of it. I honestly would not recommend her to anyone.

Sherri

I might also add that I fully intend to have a consult with Dr Bergman when/if I decide to have the procedure.  I have heard such nice things about her and her office staff.