Need Sanity Check

My AL, BL, BA was scheduled for Dec 10th. My surgeon just called and he had something happen that he will be gone the whole month of December now. I go to the States for my annual leave mid-Nov for 3 weeks.  That means my surgeon bumped my surgery up to... NEXT WEEK - WTF - OMG! Oct 8 is the new date. Unfortunately the exchange rate totally SUCKS right now and for all the surgeries - arms, breast, implants (silicone gummies) and thigh revision (no surgeon charge, just OR & anest costs) with 5 days in a private all-inclusive recovery center w/ 24x7 nursing will be 12,500 Euro - not bad, if you're paid in Euro! But with the exchange rate right now (usually gets better in the winter time I've noticed) that means this surgery is going to be $18,500.

In my mind I'm going OUCH for the cost because of the exchange rate (last fall it would have only been $16,500) and now i'm totally psyched (freaked) out because its next week rather than 2.5 months from now.

For those of you who've had similar...granted I'm having a lot done, but does this price ($18,500) seem OK for this amount of work or does it seem a bit high?

Freaking out here - someone help me put this crap into perspective because I'm about ready to say "FORGET THIS"...cry cry cry
Cass

Hi Cass!

I assume by AL/BL/BA you are taking about the Arms, Breast Lift and Breast Aug (am I right)?
I think $18,500 is high for the Arms, Breast Lift and Breast Aug.
I think the avg I was quoted for the arms and breasts was $15,000 but I also got quotes closer to $12,000 or $13,000.

You know me, I tell it as I see it......  I think it stinks that your surgeon is changing the date by 2.5 months which means it will cost you more money.  Can you call them and ask if there is anything they do about the financial part so you are not penalized?  Since you are a return patient perhaps they can delay a portion of the payment....I know sounds impossible but might be worth asking.
OR.....is it possible for you to wait until January when you think the exchange rate might be better.  Since you were going to go on Dec 10th, maybe it's better to wait 3 or 4 weeks rather than move it up 2.5 months.  Of course right now it's a gamble with when the rate will be better.  We recently sold property overseas and have been waiting to do the exchange because rates have been so bad.

Man I feel bad for you.....it's got to be a really tough decision for you.  I know you want to get it done but to have to pay a lot more just stinks.

Best wishes on making your decision.  Let us know if you decide to go sooner so we can send good vibes your way.
Ruth

I can't wait the 3 or 4 weeks as I'm trying to get all medical expenses into the 2009 tax year for a deduction as normally I only get the standard deduction and with this, this year I'll have over $30K in reconstructive surgery as insurance didn't pay for the LBL either.

One of the best features of this doc is the fact it's a private clinic and an all-inclusive recovery center (where meals, nursing, any medicines or supplies, etc are included) for 5 days after the surgery.

Honestly I dont see how I can not go with this doc - but the extra money SUX! If I go with another doc, i'll have to pay surgeon fees and everything else to get a fix on my thighs - which are included with this doc. I think part of the higher cost too (besides the exchange rate) is the fact they use silicone gummy implants, not saline.  (Although living in Germany with this crappy rate sux too!)

So I guess it's a given I'm going to do it, i'm just not too happy about the $$$$$$$ part of it.... it's still a great deal for Germany though, considering average prices here. (yes, I'm still trying to convince myself here!)

So everyone, tell me what I need to get ready for the upper body lift...9 days to go...

Cass

FYI - if you pay for your surgery now and do it in January you still can claim it as a 2009 expense IF you are able to prove it is not cosmetic (IRS does not allow deduction for cosmetic surgery).  Not sure if you are talking about the US tax system or Germany.

So far as prep for the Upper Body Work.
Get a good compression garment for the arms.  It made a huge difference for me when I had mine done the second time.  I swear it was a night and day sort of thing.

Personally the breast work I had done was a piece of cake........no pain, no issues.  I used silicone sheets on my breasts and that made the incision totally flat and I believe get them very thin.  I was thrilled.  They will probably send you home in a hospital type binder/garment on the breasts...I was fine with what they gave me.  Even though after 4 weeks the surgeon said I could stop wearing it at night, I still wore mine.  I found it more comfortable.  I'm a side sleeper so when I'd roll over and didn't have the bra on the breasts pulled and just didn't feel comfortable.

Before doing your arms prepare your house.........
Get all the stuff you use in the kitchen and bathroom down from the high shelves 'cause you won't be able to reach them.

Best wishes to you...
Ruth

Where did you get the silicone sheets, cost, and how long did you use them for? Oh, and when did you start using them, how long after surgery??

For my breasts I used CVS brand (I cut them in half lengthwise).  They worked great.
I think it was week 3 that the surgeon let me start using them.  You have to check with your surgeon because it depends on how your wound is healing.

You can also check this website for other options which I've used and will use on my tummy tuck incisions as soon as the surgeon says it's ok.   www.newmedical.com/purchases.htm

Best wishes

To me, it does seem pricey. My surgeon quoted me about 10,500 for arms, breast lift and implants.

It might not hurt to ask if he would be willing to lower your price because of the scheduling inconvenience....the worst that could happen is he says 'no'.

Good luck!

Yikes... I can understand being a little freaked about moving the surgery up,  but on a positive note, just think that it will be over and done with and you'll be well on the road to recovery quicker than you had originally planned.

While $18.5K is high, when you take into account the 5 days of after care, it seems less unreasonable.  I paid a little over $15K for my BL/BA/BR and didn't have after care (which runs about $650 per night, so times that by 5 nights and you're about at what you're paying).

All the best to you, Cass! : )

That does seem like a lot.  But you aren't going to have to worry about this surgery until Dec!  Just think about that.  You are going to have it done and by December you will be all healed and feeling much better!

Aren't you getting married soon?  You will be able to concentrate on your wedding!  Just look at it like that!

Good Luck and keep us posted!
Hugs
Kim J!

I don't know...it's not much more than I paid for mine, and if it is covering 5 days in a recovery center, that really isn't bad.  I don't know were you are going puyt I paid almost 1000US per night at my revoery center...and worth every dollar.  If you love your surgeon and are able to pay, I say go for it.  Good luck!

April