plastic surgery questions

Hello everyone,

I am about 10 months out and haven't been losing very much in recent months, but I stay at about 162 and I feel great. 

I think I will be wanting a tummy tuck and a boob lift and if I do this I want to have surgery over the Thanksgiving /Christmas Holidays. 

I have a few questions if anyone can offer advice I would appreciate it.

Who did you use and were you very happy with your results?  What did you have done?

Did you submit to your insurance company and did they pay some or all of your procedure?  Did they pay any parts of your procedure such as hospitalization?

How much is a tummy tuck and breast lift if you pay out of pocket ( I mean the whole bill - surgeon, hospital, anesthesia, etc.)

What was your recovery like and how long did you feel unable to go to work?

Thanks very much in advance!

Julie

 

I don't have any answers for you on your questions but I have heard that we have to be at goal for 1 year or more before we can have plastics. You may want to check into it before you get your hopes up to have anything done.
Congrats on your weight loss!

Julie
Most PS want you to be at a stable weight for 3-6 months before having surgery.  I hit a two month stall at nine months out and then the weightloss started up again for another 5-6 months.  It was slow but steady.  Last summer I had a lower body lift with a hernia repair.  The total cost was about $7,500 and the 2 night hospital stay was covered by insurance because of the hernia repair.  I went to Dr. Gee in Stoneham and I found him to be on the conservative side.  I was out of work for 4 1/2 weeks.  Three weeks ago I had a Upper thigh lift, breast lift, tummy tuck revision, and mons plasty.  All costs came to over $24,000.  I paid out of pocket because the Tummy Tuck was rejected by my insurance company twice.  This time I went to Dr. Borud in Boston who works at the Beth Iseral Deconess Medical Center.  He is much more agressive and 80% of his patients are MWL patients.  I had a very good experience with him.  This time around recovery has been more difficult mainly due to the upper thigh lift.  Good luck on the next part of your journey.
Janet

Thanks very much for the info.  You are not the first person I have heard refer to Dr. Borud...
I hope you are doing better each day.  People say the plastics are the toughest and most painful part of this whole thing - if you opt to have them.
Thanks again,
Julie

Hi Julie,

My background info, Got banded in 4/04, hit goal in summer 06 and have maintained since then.  I just had a TT on 6/23 so I'm just over 3 weeks out.  You can look at my before and after pictures on my profile.

I easily had insurance pay for a panni removal and I paid an extra $3,000 to make it a full TT including muscle tightening, mons lift and skin above belly button (muffin top).  I had 10 pounds of skin removed.  I carried most of my extra weight in my belly region as you can see from the size of my skin apron.

I wanted a BL/BA at the same time but at Lahey Clinic they will not perform more than one procedure at a time due to an increase in complications. I spent one night in the hospital and went home with 2 drains.  One removed the first week and my second removed the second week. 

My recovery was two weeks, I worked full time last week and this week and feel great.  No issues and I'm thrilled with my results.  This has been just as rewarding as losing the weight or maybe more. 

You can PM me if you have anyother questions!  Good luck, Karianne  

Thanks very much Karianne.  The results of the tummy tuck are amazing!  I have pretty good insurance and hope to have them consider the panni as well.  I do realize I will be kicking in for the full tummy tuck, but some help would be great by insurance!

Julie
Have you watched the news?  Dr. Borud has been fired from BIDMC for substance abuse.  Good thing to find out before you ever scheduled an appointment with him.  Good luck in the next phase of your weightloss journey.
Janet