Breaking three procedures into three operations and then travelling

I am consulting three local plastic surgeons. One, Dr Olding, is head of the PS at George Washington Hospital. He looked, gave his eval and quote for BL/BA/and LBL at around 21,000 with no hospital stay and around 8 hours of surgery.  The price would probably go a bit higher with other expenses. Very good reputation, best of dc every year, but no pics to show. He is on the FDA board and could get me gummy bear implants.

Next guy I went to, Dr. Mark Richards, is in the Best of DC area too. He had very different observations and suggestions. Somehow he made me feel more confident in him - I heard him thinking through challenges, he paid more individual attention to my issues (noticed a hernia that Olding missed), etc. He prefers to work in a clinic setting --much cheaper and cleaner than the hospital - which limits operations to 5 hours. As such, he would divide my operations into three ---first tummy tuck, two weeks later breast aug and lift, two weeks later rear lift and aug  through flaps, etc.  He doesn't go for butt implants.  The breast implant would be saline, tear-drop placed under two muscles. He does not have access to the gummy bear implants.
His quote is 26,000 and is more inclusive.

Tuesday I have a consult with a Dr. Krieger which a lot of women from this board have used in my area.

Dr. Sauceda, seeing pictures, suggested LBL, BA/BL, inner thigh lift and when pressed about the butt, butt implant. The quote for the operation (without the butt) was 13,000. That of course requires travelling and staying 12 days.

I need to send pictures to the Brazil coordinator.

The problem is, I am in a stupid hurry because I am traveling to Nice, France at the end of June and want as much as possible done and healed by then.

I seem to be leaning towards the most expensive guy which frustrates me -- his pictures were beautiful -- the scars were thin and flat and actually drawn in a pretty way, the breasts were natural looking, he made some unique observations, caught more,etc.  Evidently he is a butt-guy --it's a focus of his-- and that could help as I am challenged there!! 

He would place the stuff so close together to allow me to be healed sufficiently to go on a trip.

What do you all think? Operation--two weeks-operation-two weeks-operation-three weeks- travel!!!

I haven't had plastic surgery so I can't comment on that - but I think it's a mistake to rush the surgery so you'll be healed for your trip - what happens if you have complications? Why not wait till after your trip and pick the Dr. who best addresses your problems and what you want done.

Skylar

That's a good point, Skylar. I hadn't thought of that.
It would also point to having them done together earlier on if possible.

I agree..  as much as it would be nice to have it out of the way before your trip, I think in the long run your trip will go better if you don't have to worry about pushing yourself after surgery.

When I scheduled my LBL all three docs I consulted with were at least 2 months out. My LBL was in September of 2006.  I was up and around locally pretty quickly but had one drain that stayed with me for 5 weeks and an incision line opening that had to be cleaned out and closed the week after Christmas.  Even having surgery within the next month, if you ran into any complications it might put a damper on your trip.  Also..  I swelled for many months after....if I overdid it I would pay for it with the swelling.

I honestly don't think I could have done three surgeries two weeks apart.  I was barely getting around well 10 days after my LBL, boobs and arms were easier, but my legs.. yeoooch...they laid me up with my feet elevated as much as possible for a couple of weeks.  Much sitting and my ankles were swollen so bad it hurt to walk.

I wish you the best whichever way you go.

 You all have very good points.  The LBL would be April 28th, if nothing earlier shows up, and the trip is June 20 -- so almost two months there. The tush part though would only be three weeks before the trip.  The BA/BL would be in mid May and the tush part end of May or first week of April.  I am nervous and obviously weighing it all. 
I have a consult with another surgeon today and then will make decisions.

Part of my push is the trip's nature - it is going with a new boyfriend to France to help him with doing the Ironman.  Obviously, he is a very physical guy.  He would be patient, maybe, but which operation to put off? The back?  Perhaps they can do the tummy and the ba/bl at the same time? Probably though, the wait until new surgery would be the same --- at least a month.

I am also concerned about the increase in risk posed by three general aneasthesia experiences.

Having had a lower body lift five weeks ago, there is no way in hell I would have all three procedures at once or even a few weeks apart!

Although the sutures have healed very nicely, I still have real "pulling" sensation of pain after a full day sitting at my desk or moving around the office.  I cannot lift anything over 1 lb without feeling it in my mid-section.  If my cat decides to climb up on my middle, I have to get her off immediately because her weight (7 lbs) is too much to bear.  I still swell two inches by the end of the day around my waist (I am that much bigger after being up and around all day).

Sneezing, coughing, bending too much cause real pain.  I think you should definitely postpone your surgery until AFTER your trip to Europe.  How can you enjoy it if you hurt, are too tired to explore France, and are groggy from pain medication?  That means no wine!

My butt is totally flat but having had a "bubble butt" when I was 140 pounds heavier, I am FINE with that.  No one touches my flat bottom!  I am fine with my very small breasts too---I developed arthritis in my spine and not having all that weight up front feels great!

My next surgeries will be arms and upper legs but my doctor won't do ANY surgery less than six months apart to give me time to really heal and feel well again.  Good luck and hope this helps!