X-Post: My last Plastic Surgeries - HELLO FROM BANGKOK, THAILAND

After 250lbs - 6 years and more money then you would spend fixing up a house.  Today is my FINAL plastic surgery and I am having it at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok.

The last time I posted here was in 2007 (yea, I've been bad) but as I see the end of this journey that I started in December 2004, I thought about the place I started from, and decided to sign in and say hello and share with you some of the things that have happened, and is happening in my life.

First a bit about me (My profile is a tad out dated)
I started this adventure getting banded in December 2004 by Dr. Ren at NYU using the inamed lap band system, and lost (with some pre weight loss) over 250 lbs The truth of the matter is at my highest weight no scale could measure it, so
I am GUESSING I was 450 lbs, but I may have been in low 500's - that’s something I will never know for sure.

What I do know for sure is 6 years later my weight is 220 lbs
(I was up to 250 at some point)
I have had a lap band replaced with the new realize band, had a gallbladder removed, had a hernia removed (hey that’s 6 oz of weight right there) had all kinds of medical issues (which they still don't have a idea what’s causing it)
and if asked the question "would I do it again"


YES - in a New York Minute!!!


I have been lucky / smart enough to have had insurance pay for SOME of the 6 plastic surgeries I have had, with them approving, then DENYING the thigh lift. (I could write a blog about just that one event) and going into a several month depression and blaming everyone else for my woes in life. After having a yearlong pity party, I came to realize (I think alcoholics call it a moment of clarity) that the only one in the world, who can help me, is ME. and started on a new course of "what can I do to improve myself" starting with the cheapest I spent two years getting Invisalign braces ($7000)
[It is amazing how BIG your mouth is when you all of a sudden have a small face]

And started saving and executing (tada!) self paying for the final 2 surgeries (Theigh lift and neck lift)

The former had been done last sunday, the latter being done TODAY!!

WHY THAILAND? - Since this post IS the Plastic Surgery forum;

I did about a year and a half research on "medical tourism" and the place that people kept talking about was this hospital in Bangkok Thailand, called Bumrungrad. Saying it was a "world class hospital" with world class doctors, I was so intrigued I actually flew here last march, to question doctors, get pricing, and do on the ground research

(gee my hands are getting tired typing, sorry I am being so long winded)

OK, the real world results. YES everything that people said about this place is true!

I have had better then excellent care, and everyone (down to the janitors) has been helpful, friendly and SPEAK ENGLI****he place is scrupulously clean, and the room, ummm the PRIVATE SUITE I am typing from, has been far and above world class!

So your shaking your head at the moment saying well, this rich a$$hole can afford it.

Well, yes I can.
Because the total it has cost me has been (not including airfare) ($1000)
is: $16,629.70 - for a thigh lift with a 'mini' tummy tuck, and a 'face lift' when in truth its a neck lift, but they call it a face lift. - That includes EVERYTHING including this two room private suite.

I priced the surgery at Lenox Hill hospital in NYC (where I had my lower body lift) estimated price $65,000.00 (where is Bill Gates when you need him!) - waaay out of my range.

And I gotta tell ya folks (well the two who have read this far!) This place makes Lenox hill look like a back alley abortion clinic!

According to Microsoft word, I have typed 723 words, and I am going to stop now. I will be updating with pictures, prices, and more ranting

Jonathan

Just a legal disclaimer - No, I do not work for Bumrungrad, and I have been a member here since 2004. No one is giving me any discounts or consederation for my posting. I AM writing a book about the lapband journey with a current working title of "Chronic Masticator" if you want more info on me just google "jonathan gleich"

 

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your amazing story.  There are so few bandsters here that have 7 years experience!

I hope your surgery went well.

Best~
Lisa O.

Wow! Congratulations on being successful still after being 7 yrs out.