Plastic Surgery Consults - Help!

I've had two plastic surgery consults recently.  Now I'm more confused than ever!  My first consult was at Tufts with Dr. Davidson.  I went to see him because I had my RNY at Tufts, and he said he would do a free consult for Tufts patients (although I'm not sure sure that his staff knows that!)  Anyway, he told me that to get the results that I'm looking for, I'll need a lower body lift, as opposed to a tummy tuck.  I also want to have my arms done.  He will do both procedures at the same time for me for just under $14K (total, including one night hospital stay).  If I can get the stomach portion covered by insurance, then it will be around $10K for both the LBL and arms.  He also said that if I have it done right after the holidays, I should be recovered enough to make it to Jamaica for the first week of March - in a bikini if I want (I don't want!). 

So then I had my second consult with Dr. Topol here in Manchester, who comes highly recommended by several people, including my PCP and OB/Gyn.  He also said that the best results would be to go all around my lower body, but he would prefer to do it in two steps.  He also won't do my arms when he does anything else.  So that's 3 different surgeries, or at least 2 because he will do the whole lower body at once if I really want to, which is what I would do.  His prices are actually just about the same as Tufts, but because he won't do the arms at the same time, it actually comes out to about $7K more because of using the hospital facilities and anesthesiologist twice, and his fee x2.  Plus, it means more time off from work recuperating because it's 2 separate surgeries.  He also said that the lower body lift surgery is extremely painful.  Okay, and I'm somewhat of a wimp.

I really, really wanted to have the surgery here at CMC in Manchester.  If I go to Tufts and end up with a complication, I've got to get in the car and go all the way back to Boston, where CMC is literally right down the street from me.  I liked both doctors so that's not an issue.  It's just the logistics and the fact that Dr. Topol scared me a little about the pain. 

I don't know what to do.  I really want to get rid of this skin, but I know that it's purely for cosmetic reasons (I have had some rashes, but nothing I can't live with.)  At least with my RNY, I took a chance on the surgery because it meant improving my overall health.  This will be more painful and it's just for looks.  Am I being too vain?  Gosh I'm so confused at this point.  Even though I know that the decision will ultimately be mine, I would love to hear anyone's opinion/personal experience on this topic.    I think I will also cross-post this on the plastic surgery board.

Hi Kathy,

Well, I am not anywhere near where you are right now, but I do have some thoughts.  First, no you are not being vain.  You want to finish the process you started.  I think that Dr. Topol told you everything so you could make an educated decision.  I am sure that the pain is the same for both procedures, even maybe a bit more with the Tufts, because they are doing the arms also.  Why don't you place a telephone call to the Dr. at Tufts and ask him about the pain level.

We had a plastic surgeon speak at our general meeting last month.  Very interesting.  He also prefers to do the complete lower body lift, going all the way around.  He did talk about scarring, but not really the pain issue.  They do liposuction at the same time, which I also thought interesting.  He will not do the arms at the same time, because he said that was painful.  So each doctor is different.  You just have to find the best match for you. 

Ultimately, the decision is yours.  You may want to do a second consult with the Tufts Dr., but it also sounds like you are leaning more towards Dr. Topol at this point.  I think referrals, especially positive ones, say a lot.  Maybe there is a good reason why he does not do the arms at the same time. 

Anyway, random thoughts.  Lets see what others think.

Martha

I don't think it's being vain, I think we want to look as good as we feel. I'm only 7 months out and already thinking about getting my arms done in the spring. (I have about 20 left to get to goal). I have to wait 18 months for the tummy, because of insurance.
We talk ALOT about this at the post-op support meetings at CMC.  Anyone that has already had the surgery has had it done in two surgeries.  They've said the Drs don't want to do both at the
 same time because you'd be under anesthesia too long and you would be in pain everywhere.Good Luck with your decision.

Someone at the CMC post op meeting said to not use Dr Topol use the other doctor because Dr Topol will not fight insurance for you to get surgery covered while the other doctor will.  I don't remember the name of the other doctor though!

There is also a clinic at one of the mass hospitals -- reduced rates because it is a senior resident doing the surgery. 

Oh boy!  This all sounds so complicated.  I honestly don't think you're being vein.  Like everyone else said, you just want to finish what you started.  I'm only 3 months out (today!) so I'm not thinking about ps yet.  I'm almost glad to read your experience so I know what I may have to go through.  Anyway, my personal opinion would be to have it at CMC.  For the pure fact that you can do all follow-up there.  I wonder if you can get info. from previous patients of Dr. Topol?  I think with ps, there is pain, period.  Eventually it will end.  Think about what will have happened to you...is finishing what you started worth the pain?  I don't know.  I guess I'm done babbling.  GL with your decision.  Keep us updated. 

Lisa

Well, I gotta say, I saw some pics of a woman on the main board who had a LBL and showed pics a week post op.  I was not scared for my RNY surgery and I have also had a total knee replacement and wasn't scared of that, but that LBL freaks the crap out of me.  I showed the pics to my DH and told him to remind me of those pics if I ever say I want PS (more than a TT at least).

How much have you researched PS here?  I am sure there has got to be a forum about it.

As far as choosing tho, I would say go with your gut - what feels right to you?  Get it all done in one fell swoop and have to travel if there is an issue or having the security of being close to home, but the inconvenience of more surgeries?  Personally, I would want to get it all done at once, but at the same time, that could double the chances of complications - 2 major surgeries to your body.  Not a doctor, but that sounds like a lot for your body to deal with.

Best of luck either way.....

Hey Kathy,

I just want to say, the pain is not that bad, granted i didn't have a LBL but having had an anchor cut for my TT, I was told that it was very painful and I had no problem with pain.
 I do know some of the gals in our old support group had the LBL done and they too expected the worse and found it to be not so bad after the first couple of days. Don't let the doctor scare you, think back how was the pain level for you with your GBP surgery?
For what it is worth, the trip to Boston is not that bad, I had to do it for 13 weeks so I'm an expert at it, believe me.
Will they keep you over night in Manchester?
Do yourself a favor and go to Mass General for a consult too, you will probably get all your work done and the girls too for the 14K at tufts...well worth the consult to see what they say.
I'm jealous, I wanted the LBL and was told I didn't need it, I have since asked my PS if he was wearing his glasses when he gave me that advise...lol  have a good night and I am so excited for you....your going to be one Hot Mom of the bride...