Doing plastics in stages - is there a suggested "order"?

 I have my second meeting with my primary plastics doc on Friday and I'm hoping to book a date for early fall 2010 when I meet with him.  He wanted me to lose more and see how the skin looked before we decide between an extended TT or a lower body lift which will be self-pay.

I am meeting a second surgeon mid-May re: a breast reduction (to be covered by insurance) - these surgeons won't do the other surgeries (although my primary/TT surgeon will do a reduction/lift if I had to self-pay but I'm 99% sure insurance will cover my breast reduction).

So if it comes down to it, is there an advantage to having one surgery done before the other? My husband chimed in the other day and felt that I should wait to have my breasts done AFTER my TT so that they are more in proportion with my new post-TT shape and I won't be totally bottom heavy (I am very hour glass shape now) if I had my BR first.  I agree with him however now that I am exercising more and jogging, my back is starting to go on my and I'm needing physio therapy on my back & shoulders due to the weight (we're talking a F/G cup still).

I'd appreciate any feedback!

Woohoo for you and PS.  I just had my first consult, and also hope to have a LBL in fall.  The doc likes to do bottom first I think and I have heard other docs like to work bottom up.  But I dont know if there is a reason.

Most doctors do like to do the TT or LBL first but it really depends on what YOU want done first. It is your body and your money and you should be the one to decide. That said, I chose to do my LBL first because that is what bothered me the most. My dr does do the breast lift at the same time so I was able to do them together. I have seen women here do surgeries in all kinds of order depending on what bothered them the most. Some do the facelift first, others do arms or boobs...you get the picture. It does sound like you are having back problems due to your breasts so I would think you would want to do that to alleviate the pain. Your surgeon can help you decide what the best size would be if you have a choice. I didn't have a reduction but a lift and I really didn't have a say as to what size I was going to end up since I didn't have tons of breast tissue. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you have done first. It's all an amazing experience!

I had my LBL first and then my breast lift.  I think your surgeon should be able to give you insight on  how to stage the procedures.

Red

I too had the LBL first.  I dont remember the official reason (although it was the most pressing for me), but I think doing it first builds a good foundation.  Good luck!

April

I was told reason for doing LBL first is because they're pulling skin from top down and bottom up. Pulling from top down can pull breast down, which can be corrected if BL/BA is done later.
Since my lower body is my main concern anyway I'm going to do LBL first.
Pam

That makes total sense! Will definitely be aiming for the LBL first (and will discuss with the surgeon on Friday to boot!).

I see him Thursday to get my stitches out! I just adore him, although I will wack him over the head for givingme a small compression garment. I'm so excited for you Jennie!

I'm another who votes for LBL first. When tugging, you don't want the boobies going downwards. I had LBL first, breast lift/implants second.

I also agree with the LBL lift then breasts. I chose to do it that way.  Like one of the girls mentioned, you don't want your new breast pulled down when the abdomen skin is adjusted. I have already had my LBL and with how tight the skin was pulled down, I TOTALLY get why.  I'm really glad my surgeon explained that doing it in this order would give the best result. It is a personal decision however, you have to do what feels right to you.