Back from TT and brachio
Hi, everyone! I lurked here for a while, asked questions of you all and disappeared. (Sorry for that.) Special thanks to my friends (and plastics forum regulars) Redhaired and Renee2007 for all of their good advice and caring ways.
Last Thursday, I had an extended tummy tuck (cut horizontally, from just past one hip to past the other) with an anchor cut (a vertical scar from breastbone to just past the belly button) AND a bilateral brachioplasty (arms). Oh, and I got a little bit of liposuction on my hips and mons areas. In all, he removed just over 5 pounds of skin and fat from my body.
I really was on the fence about the anchor cut, as my surgeon thought he could give me a good result without leaving me with an additional vertical scar on my abdomen (My DS was via lap, so I did not have big scars already). At this moment, I am soooo glad I did the anchor cut. He was able to get a lot more skin off of my body. My surgeon said that it ended up being a wise choice for me because once he got in there, he was able to really get the extra skin that was in a vertical column on my belly.
After a lot of research and three in-person consults, I selected Michael J Lee at Northwestern in Chicago. www.michaeljleemd.com/
I like him as a person and I like his results with post-bariatric people. So far, so good. I am sore, which is to be expected. But my scars look better than I thought they would. I have a little bit of swelling that will last for a while.
The entire hospital treated me like a princess. Such lovely people! I am on some nice pain pills that make me delightfully sleepy and peaceful. Oh, and it makes everyone seem lovelier than they probably are! It's like plastic surgery beer goggles!
I have pictures on my profile of my "before" and some current (2 days out from plastics) ones. I will add new ones as my healing progresses. The "afters" look a little gruesome, but they hurt far less than you would think they do, if that helps!
FYI, because most people have been asking me these questions via PM and in the DS forum: my insurance paid for my TT (about $11,000-12,000) because I did a lot of documentation and I self-paid for my arms ($4,000). My surgeon usually charges $5,000 for the arms but he gave me a multi-procedure discount. (Now is a good time to wheel and deal for elective surgery!)
If you are considering plastics, first call your insurance company to find out what your policy covers and what documentation you need. Make sure you call it what it is: "reconstructive surgery." It may be worth it to enroll in a different policy during the next open enrollment period for one that covers reconstructive surgery, Be sure and document any skin issues such as rashes, boils, pain, etc. Take photos, make sure your doctor treats them with topical creams, etc. Get it into your medical record.
If anyone has any questions for me, I would be happy to answer. Thanks for paying it forward here, guys!
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
Last Thursday, I had an extended tummy tuck (cut horizontally, from just past one hip to past the other) with an anchor cut (a vertical scar from breastbone to just past the belly button) AND a bilateral brachioplasty (arms). Oh, and I got a little bit of liposuction on my hips and mons areas. In all, he removed just over 5 pounds of skin and fat from my body.
I really was on the fence about the anchor cut, as my surgeon thought he could give me a good result without leaving me with an additional vertical scar on my abdomen (My DS was via lap, so I did not have big scars already). At this moment, I am soooo glad I did the anchor cut. He was able to get a lot more skin off of my body. My surgeon said that it ended up being a wise choice for me because once he got in there, he was able to really get the extra skin that was in a vertical column on my belly.
After a lot of research and three in-person consults, I selected Michael J Lee at Northwestern in Chicago. www.michaeljleemd.com/
I like him as a person and I like his results with post-bariatric people. So far, so good. I am sore, which is to be expected. But my scars look better than I thought they would. I have a little bit of swelling that will last for a while.
The entire hospital treated me like a princess. Such lovely people! I am on some nice pain pills that make me delightfully sleepy and peaceful. Oh, and it makes everyone seem lovelier than they probably are! It's like plastic surgery beer goggles!
I have pictures on my profile of my "before" and some current (2 days out from plastics) ones. I will add new ones as my healing progresses. The "afters" look a little gruesome, but they hurt far less than you would think they do, if that helps!
FYI, because most people have been asking me these questions via PM and in the DS forum: my insurance paid for my TT (about $11,000-12,000) because I did a lot of documentation and I self-paid for my arms ($4,000). My surgeon usually charges $5,000 for the arms but he gave me a multi-procedure discount. (Now is a good time to wheel and deal for elective surgery!)
If you are considering plastics, first call your insurance company to find out what your policy covers and what documentation you need. Make sure you call it what it is: "reconstructive surgery." It may be worth it to enroll in a different policy during the next open enrollment period for one that covers reconstructive surgery, Be sure and document any skin issues such as rashes, boils, pain, etc. Take photos, make sure your doctor treats them with topical creams, etc. Get it into your medical record.
If anyone has any questions for me, I would be happy to answer. Thanks for paying it forward here, guys!
Best of luck to you!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Nicolle~
You look great! Your arms are gorgeous! I hope mine turn out that good! Yours and Renee's are the best I've seen so far.
So did the anchor pull the skin from your side flanks too? I have that issue and it seems like the anchor would help eliminate some of it.
I really wish you could make it to Lori's party this year...but traveling that far right after surgery wouldn't be very comfortable and you would probably be in swell hell.
Keep us up to date on your healing progress and I'd sure appreciate any tips you learn from this experience.
You look great! Your arms are gorgeous! I hope mine turn out that good! Yours and Renee's are the best I've seen so far.
So did the anchor pull the skin from your side flanks too? I have that issue and it seems like the anchor would help eliminate some of it.
I really wish you could make it to Lori's party this year...but traveling that far right after surgery wouldn't be very comfortable and you would probably be in swell hell.
Keep us up to date on your healing progress and I'd sure appreciate any tips you learn from this experience.
Kathy
Counting down to PS with Dr S on 10-15-11
Counting down to PS with Dr S on 10-15-11
Thanks for the kind words. I feel pretty good right now. Just a lot of muscle tightness. I will be grateful when the drains come out--hopefully Thursday.
Yep, my back/sides feel a teeny bit little tighter. But it mainly took the blob of flesh out of my midsection. That blob made me look pregnant and was a big, uncomfortable jiggle spot. And caused me some ugly rashes underneath.
My stitches are starting to itch, so I am using Benadryl. I am staying wrapped snugly to keep the swelling down. My drains are now not filling as much as it did in the beginning, so I am excited.
Yeah, I wish I could go to Lori's. I will miss the people and the food, for sure!
As to tips, here's what my limited experience tells me so far:
1. Wear your binders/bandages faithfully
2. Take your pain meds faithfully
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Nap whenever possible
5. Have someone take care of your family/pets, etc so you can rest
6.Have sleeveless nightgowns and shirts (I had my arms done)
7. Do not lift anything!
8. Keep a positive attitude!
Sounds commonsense, but it's easy to skip important things. Let me know when you are getting close to your date!
Nicolle
Yep, my back/sides feel a teeny bit little tighter. But it mainly took the blob of flesh out of my midsection. That blob made me look pregnant and was a big, uncomfortable jiggle spot. And caused me some ugly rashes underneath.
My stitches are starting to itch, so I am using Benadryl. I am staying wrapped snugly to keep the swelling down. My drains are now not filling as much as it did in the beginning, so I am excited.
Yeah, I wish I could go to Lori's. I will miss the people and the food, for sure!
As to tips, here's what my limited experience tells me so far:
1. Wear your binders/bandages faithfully
2. Take your pain meds faithfully
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Nap whenever possible
5. Have someone take care of your family/pets, etc so you can rest
6.Have sleeveless nightgowns and shirts (I had my arms done)
7. Do not lift anything!
8. Keep a positive attitude!
Sounds commonsense, but it's easy to skip important things. Let me know when you are getting close to your date!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
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