Drain-Free and Med-Free after Plastics

 On 3/20 I had a lower body lift and saw my surgeon yesterday and he removed my final drain! I feel amazing and feel that I've crossed that finish line of my 3 year marathon consisting of 4 surgeries and 125 pound weight loss! This has been my journey:

2005/06 - hip pain increasing and walking getting more & more difficult. Physical Therapy not helping. Gained 25 pounds when I stopped exercising due to pain.

11/2006 - MRI showed cyst sending me back to PCP and he was in shock of my weight gain (50 pounds overweight to 75 pounds). I begged him for bariatric surgery and he recommended me into a 6 month program (that would begin 1/2007). Read my blue cross book and saw I didn't meet criteria since my arthritis wasn't a comorbiditis. Decided to gain an additional 25 pounds to put me in "morbid obese" category. Desired highest weight reached 2/2007 - 260 lbs.

10/2007 - Had RNY. Lost weight very quickly using every tool possible. Main goal GET OUT OF PAIN! Unable to take antiinflamatory drugs the pain increased even though weight decreased.

4/2008 - Had total hip replacement. Before weight 176 lbs.

6/2008 - Reached 100 lb. goal. 5'8 frame goal weight 160. Continued losing weight since I was able to add exercise to regime.

Summer 2008 - Hated extra skin. Felt great being thin but hated my 90-year old looking body.

10/2009 - Had upper body lift consisting of brachioplasty (arm lift), breast lift w/ augmentation, and neck and lower face lift. Loved results, but pain in ears was awful.

3/20/09 - lower body lift. Much easier than above plastics. LOVE surgeon Dr. Katzen!! Feel like I've lost 50 years off my body.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I've received so much inspiration from this website and although I don't write often, I am a lurker and know you are all out there if I have questions or need support. I can't wait until summer when I can wear sleeveless tops and feel comfortable. I'm down to 135 lbs. now and when I can start shopping I'll probably be in a size 6-8. I've not been this weight since I was 11 years old. It's been a long journey but the rewards have been worth every bit of pain and money. Happy journey to you all.

K

Congratulations on your surgery....sounds like you must look and feel great!!

Hugs...connie d

Congratulations!  A dream come true!

Would you mind sharing the cost of the plastic surgeries?

Thanks for the inspiration,

K

 Hi Katherine,

I spent about $28,000 for all of my procedures. I didn't bother trying to get insurance to cover any part of it because I knew I'd probably be denied and didn't want to go through the work for nothing. I had about 6 consultations prior to selecting my surgeon and one surgeon's estimate was $72K (more than double). I selected a surgeon that had an expertise with this type of surgery and LOVE him. I attended two of his seminars prior to my surgery and knew that he was the person I wanted (and his prices were very reasonable). Prices vary depending on what part of the country you live in. I live near Beverly Hills so I had a lot of surgeons to choose from. 

If you're interested in learning more about plastics, I'd be happy to discuss or check out the forum on this website. People there are incredibly helpful (you also hear the horror stories). For me, both of my two operations were amazing success stories. My surgeon is Dr. Timothy Katzen (Body by Katzen). He's an artist with amazing bedside manner. 

Please let me know if I can help you further or you want a breakdown of the costs of the procedures. Yes, it's fairly expensive but to me about the same as buying a car. I told my husband that I did the top half for me and the bottom for him. We're both extremely pleased.

Kathie

Oh, that is funny!  I'll remember it!     I'll start researching in 50 more pounds.  Hope to get at least a panni or tummytuck or if they're the same thing both of them!
I've had 5 surgeries inc the lapband in that area and it's a mess. 

I'm on the east coast and I have someone in mind.

Thanks for all the info!

Katherine B