First Plastic Surgery Consult

I am so excited.  I am veryseriously considering a tummy tuck and a breast lift with an implant.   I had a consult yesterday with Plastic and Hand in South Portland.  I met with the doctor for an hour, he carefully explained all the possible surgeries (TT, panni, BL and BL/BA.) He took measurements of my um...well....breasts and belly.  (That was weird.) Then an assistant came in and took a complete set of photos for "before" use as well as insurance submission. 

He felt that while a pannicullectomy is ok, it will not really address the problem to my satisfaction( I agree with him.) And he initially felt that the breast surgery would be ok either way. Upon the acutal exam he realized that I have no breast tissue left and that whilke they look fine in a bra, there is just not going to be much left after a lift.  He is sure that with a small to medium implant I can be a happy and comfortable C cup (which is what I am now.)

So I had them draw up the quote for a TT and BL with implants.  I was very surprised and happy to find the cost (only an estimate for now) to be under $15,000 for the surgeons fee, the OR fees and the anesthesia.

I am so excited to think that I will likely be able to have all of this done sometime between March and June (depends on my work schedule and hubbys work schedule.)

I thought I would share the prices because a lot of people have asked the costs (including me :) )  They think insurance will cover about $2000 of it because that is the cost of just the pannicullectomy.  The quote also is only for if I have both procedures done at once.  (There is a discount on the second procedure if it is done at the same time.)

Any questions happily answered :)

Hi Sheli, No questions but wanted to say its nice to see you It has been quite awile. Congrats on all you have accomplished so far. :-) I will have questions once you have had your procedures done I am sure.

Hi Kathy, thanks for welcoming me back :)  It was a long summer with 4 kids home.  My computer time was so decreased that it was starting to be hard to get here.  Add to that the in-fighting on the lap-band forum and I just couldn't take it anymore.  I spent the summer busily planning an August Disney trip and then I just kept forgetting to visit my old friends here.  It has been amazing the past 2 days to come and see all the new pictures of everyone.  5 months= a lot of weight lost!!!  You look amazing!!!  :) (everyone looks amazing :) )

Hi Sheli,

That is VERY exciting!!  I am looking into surgery in Mexico as it is much cheaper. But you have to go where you feel comfortable.  Did they say how long you would be out of work, for the TT and the BL? 

Here is his recovery timetable:
week 1- do NOTHING but sleep, take pain meds and potty (ok to eat - but not at table yett.LOL)
week 2- not doing much, sleep, watch tv on couch, eat at couch or in recliner.
week 3- a little movement ok, no bending, no chores, no lifting. Ok to eat with family at table.
week 4- resume most normal activities, be careful with bending and lifting. No exercise!
Ok to return to work after 28 days IF I feel up to it, and only because I have a desk job.
Sometime between weeks 4-6 he will clear me to begin light exercise (ie: walking only.)  Abdominal work-outs are about months out.

He was really honest that recovery is long and varies from super uncomfortable to terribly painful.  The breast surgery is not really the issue.  That would be a 1 week out of work then no lifting for 2 more weeks.  But the full TT is vicious as far as pain and recovery.  I also believe my TT will be the inverted T or Anchor cut tuck.  I have a good deal of midline loose skin and I do not care so much about having an extra scar.  I told him it matters more what I look like in clothes or a swimsuit than how I look naked (only hubby will ever see me naked anyway.- poor him!!!!)

Thank you SO much for that info!  I have been wondering how long I would be out of work. I know it is going to be painful.  But it will be worth it in the end!! I just can't stand to look at myself. I will be getting a TT and LBL (lower body lift) OUCH!  cost is around $9000 plus of course airfare and hotel to Mexico. 

PS Glad you are back! And I know what you mean.  The main boards can be a little harsh. But we have a great group here on the Maine Forum.  You will have to come to next summer's gathering.  We had SUCH a great time!!

mannnnnn ! your so lucky, i'm just starting to work on my DH.  I would love a TT, boob lift too, but I can wear a good bra for that.  I just can wear a girdle, or should say, DON"T WANT TO....that is much harder to hide, I feel.  I would want an inverted T also.  Good luck to you and thanks so much for coming back and informing us.  Hugs, Cheryl

Thank you for being the pioneer here, we have all talked about whether or not we are going to get "done", I for one am very sure I want a TT and BL/augmentation, and face or neck life as well...Thank you for doing the homework, how much was the consultation?  I just don't know if I will ever have the  money for this...

Thanks so much for sharing this - how exciting for you.  Toder suggested I start thinking about this - at least the tummy tuck part soon - although I still have quite a bit of weight left to get rid of.

I was surprised....I didn't expect the pannicullectomy to be so relatively inexpensive in the plastics world.

I have no questions but will be interested to hear your experiences as you go through this, for me the part that really scares me is the pain.

Welcome back, Sheli!  Thanks for the info.  I'll probably be looking into plastics once I'm done losing!  Please keep us posted on how you are doing!  Ruth