Honda or Porsche...

Ok - I had my second plastics consult today regarding boobs/arms.

I have already pretty much decided to go with the 1st dr. for my TT - since he can probably get it covered under insurance.  But I was not convinced that he was the best choice for self-pay breast/arms.

His comment to me was "I am not the dr. to go to if you want to look like a supermodel.  The surgery I will do will improve your apprearance, particularly in clothes, and help your clothes fit better." and eliminate the skin issues I am having from areas of hang, of course.  I was ok with that.  I'm a 40 year old mom, happily married to a guy who didn't even care when I was fat - let alone about the skin stuff now.  Anything I do here is for me, and pretty much me only.  And really, I want my clothes to fit better, and lose some of the areas that I find kind of "freaky".

He did tell me that he didn't think I'd be happy with just a breast lift, and he recommended implants.  But he'd do a lift - I'd just be small.  And he left it at that.  So - I decided to go for a second opinion on that one.

Anyway - my husband calls this guy the "honda" surgeon.  Good, reliable.  Good references.  Does the work in an acceptable fashion.  Nothing flashy.

So - today I go to the second consult.  Right away, MUCH flashier place.  Kinda like the office in the show Nip Tuck.  I was kind of surprised actually when the dr. didn't ask "Tell me what you don't like about yourself" lol.

He is the porsche guy.  Has a great reputation for being PHENOMENAL about boobs.  My PCP told me that all the dr's send their wives to him for boobs cause he is an artist.  He talked a lot about overall appearance, scar minimization, natural look/feel etc.  He uses the "lolipop" scar for breasts (the other guy uses that anchor scar). 

He, too , recommended implants.  He told me he'd do a lift, but that I'd look like a man, basically.  Some pecs, ribs showing, and a nipple.  And that he wouldn't be able to get rid of all the sagging skin anyway without an implant - or at least not without LOTS of scars - which would kinda make the whole thing redundant.  Ok - that was enough to convince me that implants are probably in my future.

Here's the thing.  Honda guy's price - ballpark right now (final price quote to come once the insurance quote comes in) for a lift, implants and brachioplasty was about $8-10K with everything.  Porsche guy?  $16.5K.

So - advice?  I feel better about the porsche guy - that he will work hard to make it look GREAT.  But do I need to look great or is "good" just good enough?

I will say - I personally know people who have gone to both surgeons and have seen their results in person.  They both look good and healed well.  No horror stories.  The lady who went to the porsche guy felt that he didn't take enough off - so she went back and he did a revision for free.  Not sure the Honda guy would do that.

Thoughts?

Good for you Erica for taking this next step!!  I hope I will be able to do so when I reach my goal.  I know my boobs will need a lift, that's for sure...

I'd say you need to go with whichever surgeon you know in your gut is going to give you the best end result.  This is something you are doing for yourself after your wls which was an incredibly important step in your life and you deserve to have the end result you want and need from plastics.   Choose the one that "feels" right.  The little voice in our heads is always right.

Keep us posted!

MJ :)

Hi Erica- that's a hard call as you say you've seen results from both and both are good. I agree with above saying go with the one you feel will do the best job. I , due to expense,have chosen to go to Mexico and have Dr Sauceda- he is about 1/2 the cost of work here AND since researching him he does a great job and I am totally comfortable having him do the work-to me this is bottom line- trusting and being comfortable with the surgeon you choose. good luck with this next step of the journey.
Karen, Port Perry

Thanks for your replies ladies.  I do feel that the "porsche" doctor will do a better job as far as overall appearance goes.  I think (from what I have seen and heard about him and from him) that he is more meticulous with stitching and scar placement, and that he has a better "eye" for perfection (or as close to! ;0).  

If the money were the same, I'd go with the porsche guy hands down.

What I'm wondering is - do I NEED a porsche, or would the Honda do?  

Anybody here have a Honda job and wish they had gone for the "upgrade"?

Hey Erica,

I little over a year ago I was in the same position.  I had a choice between a doctor with 25 years experience or a doctor with 7years.

The first one, his front desk staff was wonderful, but he was very short and two the point.  he never mention that I might need implants.

Well the feeling wasn't right so a friend and co-worker referred me to her surgeon.  She is a cancer survivor and he did her breast.  When I walked right into his office he staff was open and I was treated like a VIP from the momement I walked in.  His office was defintely like something out of a magazine.  My mom was with and we had just sat down when he came and got me.  He was very detailed and went over every part of the surgery.  I knew going in that I would need a TT, BL/BA, Inner thigh lift, and modified LBL, and arm lift.  He told me that we would have to stage the procedures and while my current insurance company had approved me for the BL and TT he didn't think the rest would be covered.  He gave me a ton of information to read and asked that I give his office a call when I wanted to schedule my surgery.

So after much praying and talking with my family I went with the less expereienced doctor.  Not because of age but because of the details and time he took with me to answer a lot of my questions.  So we did the BL and TT in May of 2009.  We did not think implants would be necessary nor did I want them.  Well a 13 months later on July 13th  I had my modified LBL with inner thigh lift.  That is going okay.  I see him this Thursday for my 1 month follow-up and the last round of my plastic which is my arm lift and the saline breast implants I decided to get a year later.

I hope this helps.  I am sorry for the long post.

Jasmine

 I went to an experienced and recommended doctor for my eyes and thigh lift and did not get good results at all. I had a hard time even getting back in to see him after. It was a big mistake for me. This last time for my LBL I choose to use a resident program and at just over three weeks out I am very happy. I can already tell this was done much better than my first plastics and was a lot cheaper. Paying more doesn't always mean better.

To me, that's a "Go with YOUR Gut Decision."  Everyone is different and while you can look at results from many surgeons, the persons who came before you will not have the exact cir****tance as you. Personally, I wanted someone I completely trusted and felt immediately comfortable with.  My surgeon is the best, in my opinion.  He gave me exactly what I wanted (albeit with a BL revision), he has a great bedside manner, he is very highly recommended and experienced, and gets the biggest satisfaction out of knowing he has been such a large part of a life-changing event.  Sometimes the guys who've been in practice for 25 years have there own way of doing things to the point of not  knowing or utilizing the latest techniques.  There is nothing wrong with going with a doc who is 7 years out.  My husband's ex-wife went in for a breast reduction while they were still together, which was covered by insurance, and received a hack job.  So, I guess we were much more sensitive to end result and scarring than some people may be.  In the end, I still believe in listening to my own instincts.  Don't let money be your sole deciding factor.  I reminded myself: you are having alterations to your body, not buying a car.

Terri

The more expensive doctor in the fancy office is actually less experienced than the cheaper guy in the shabby office. 

But - like the poster said above, I REALLY felt like he went over all the details and specifics with me and explained everything VERY clearly.  I felt like I could have stayed there all afternoon chatting with him and he wouldn't have cared.  At the other surgeon, I felt like he was rushing.  He made a few notes himself, but basically told me we'd chat about it later and sent me on my way.

My vibe is that the more expensive guy is the better choice - even though he is more expensive, at least for my breasts/arms.  I really want a GREAT job for that area I think, since it will be "on display" pretty much every day.  My TT is not such a big deal - it will always be covered (I'm not a bikini girl!).

I would go to a third consult to gain a little perspective.  Loris

Go to another surgeon. If you cannot be 100% confident...don't do it. That is my opinion. I just went to 2 different surgeons, each close in price but went with who had a passion for me to look great, he was the cheaper. I would have went to many more until I found someone who I felt was out for me. Also, my lbl/bl was with a resident program, my breast aug was with a different surgeon. Each was fantastic...