plastic surgery costs

I am now 16 months out and starting to look at what my possible options would be for plastic surgery (my bat wings are growing their own wings!).  I sat through a couple of the presentations at DHMC pre-surgery, but I don't recall them talking about the possible costs.  I am looking at upper arms and inner thighs (not sure I am brave enough for the tummy tuck - though I am sure I could use one of those too).

Have any of you looked in to this and have any ideas of what the costs are?   I know that I have recently relocated to Worcester, but figure the costs will be somewhat similar "over the border into tax-a-chusetts).  (can tell you that finding a PCP down here is nearly impossible!  they all have waiting lists for accepting new patients - not a good thing when you have prescrptions that need to be refilled next month!!)

 

I don't have any idea, but I am interested in knowing whatever you find out.  I'm only down 40 pounds and already I am seeing loose skin!

Hey Tammy - great to hear from you.  One of my friends went for a consult with Dr. Topol, and they gave her an estimate for everything she wanted done.  I don't know if she had to pay for the consult or not, but it might be worth getting evaled and having them give you an estimate. 

Good luck!!!

thanks Cindy!  At this point it may be awhile before i can get in for a consult.. even just trying to find a primary care down here in MA is crazy.. i am currently on a "waiting list" - and that's even thru UMASS Medical Center!!  There is definitely a shortage of them down here.. I hope I find one soon, as meds run out next month.  And I want to make sure that I have coverage, should (heaven forbid) I end up having any issues due to the RNY.

I have an initial consult scheduled with Dr. Davidson on 10/23.  I'm looking at having my arms done and either a tummy tuck or lower body lift.  I'll let you all know what he says. 

thank you so much!  I would greatly appreciate it.

I would like to know as well!  I want to have a lower body lift soooo bad but thinkin hubby is not gonna agree.  I mean what is it..a used car bill maybe?  (sigh)  I really want to wear shorts!

LOL  Used car.. maybe a mercedes!!  Although I was speaking with some friends in RI earlier today and they said that someone they know had their doctor say that the excess skin was causing the person emotional and relationship issues and the insurance paid for the PS!!  hmmmmmm thinking I may have to become depressed LOL  :-)

You should cross post this over at the plastic surgery forum, and see if you get some feedback from there.  Most of them are either post-PS or they are researching, so they already have quotes and a good idea of costs. 

Insurance rarely covers anything, perhaps removal of the pannus but that's it.  They don't do LBL and certainly none of the less medically necessary stuff like arms, thighs, etc.  I have a friend here in NH with BCBS of Mass and she has wicked bad rashes and infections.  She persued insurance for removal of just the pannus, the one surgery they do sometimes cover, and was told she had to have medical records from her doctor documenting an ongoing six month major skin problem.  She went two months without going to the doctor because she had the usual rash but no infection.  So now she has to start all over. So if you want to maybe see about the pannus removal, start going to the doctor for every rash and every skin problem for documentation.  Even though nobody does PS till at least 12 months out, you can start the documentation before then. 

Hope that is somewhat helpful. 

I am planning on having a LBL, having my arms done (which I think they'll be able to do for me by tightening through an armpit incision instead of whole underarm, at least I hope so) and having my nipples re-attached to the general area of my chest.  From my research so far I am planning on needing at least $30K.  Since I can't possibly save that up in a year, I'll save what I can and take a loan for the rest.  As I've never bought a new car or even a new peice of furniture, it will be the first time I've spent "big money" on myself.  Therefore, I'm not even gonna feel guilty about it.  :-)

At one of the support group mtgs at CMC, one post op participant said she paid $6K for a Tummy Tuck.