Fleur de Lis or Regular TT? Surgery tomorrow - please help!

Hey Guys!

I had my surgery on 1/15/2007, and am just now getting my plastics.  I am getting a brachioplasty and TT.  When I saw my surgeon a month ago, he said fleur de lis. Now he saw me and said, "you look better, I may get away with a regular TT, and if neccessary you can come back in a year and for half price, revise it" or something like that.  He said he doesn't really like the fleur de lis because of "wound care"....Please tell me how to emphasize to this man I only have one shot at this tt!  I am wiping out half of my savings account to have these procedures and I cannot afford a second.

Ladies, I am around 175 lbs, at 5'7 1/2, the lowest weight I ever got to was 158 and I was TOO THIN by many standards. My waist is 36 inches and my hips are 41.  Please let me know the pros/cons of the fleur de lis v. the regular TT!

I go in at 6 in the morning!

I can see his point about wound care as the Fleur de lis is  bigger incision.  However, did he give you any more reason as to why he thinks he can get away with a regular TT?  Ask for specifics and if he can, demonstrate by pulling your skin and showing you.  During my consult, my ps was able to pull and lift my skin that gave me a very good idea on what each procedure would look like when complete.  He's demonstrations were very close to accurate.

Truthfully, your ps is the only one who can really answer your question as he has examined you in person.  

Another thing to consider is that if you push for something you may not need, your results could be less than desirable and you could be miserable and end up trying to fix his work with someone else. 

I certainly understand the cost issue.  Trust me, I do.  But I believe when it comes to plastics, being more conservative is the best approach.  There's a carpenters saying my dad use to say when we (the kids) were making a decision... "measure twice, cut once."

Bottom line it is your body and your $$. So to me that means it is your decision about what procedure you have. I think people become intimidated by doctors and go along with what they want to do for you. I don't think that it is acceptable for him/her to say I will do this and if I need to revise I will at a later date... Is he/she paying for the revision & you pain and heal time ? I betcha he/she isn't!
I had the same surgery and wound care was a non issue as it was by far the easiest heal out of all the different things I have had done to date.
Get what YOU want!

Good luck!

Just to add clarificaton - yes, it is your money, however, make your decision based on the questions you ask your ps.

Your ps has a lot of experience and may have a very valid reason as not doing the full tt you want.  Make sure you understand clearly why he does not think it's necessary.  Forcing him to do something he does not think is necessary may not be the best decision.

You really need more answers from him as to "why."

If you're that uncomfortable with his answers, you can always cancel.

Yes Lisa you are absolutely correct!

I had a PS try to force a LBL on me when all I wanted was a TT, which is why he was not my PS.

Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow! I think Lisa is right that your ps is the right person to  help you decide. My surgeon was able to show me the reason he was recommending the fleur de lis for me. It has been 13 days and so far I'm having no problems. My doctor left it up to me, but he did demonstrate what the difference would be. I'm 5' 3 and 141 pounds, but he said my frame is very small.....that was the main reason for the type of tt I chose. Again, best of luck.....you will be fine, and I'm sure you will be thrilled with the results of whatever you choose!

Thank you all for your responses! I talked to his assistant today and she was in the room with me when we were discussing the TT. She thinks that I should just be very clear that I cannot come back for another neither because of pay nor because of missing work and of course the recovery!

SSG, I am so happy to hear that you are doing well after 13 days! I am scared for tomorrow but honestly I have walked around with this skin for years now and it will be so liberating. I am just going to emphasize to the surgeon tomorrow that I cannot have the option of coming back for the revision and to please do the fleur de lis if it means the best outcome. I am wiping out half of my savings account because I am so ready to feel better. I am unfortunately one of those young uninsured Americans I hope my tummy is smaller no matter the procedure and I will definitely keep you guys updated.

I must say I HEART my surgeon so much; he was recommended by my fiancee's friend who is a general surgeon as a young and up and coming surgeon who does beautiful work. I saw him and told him I would be his masterpiece and he did the sign of the cross as a little joke so he has a great bedside manner! He saw my large forehead wrinkles and is throwing in free Botox on my forehead when I am asleep so he is a sweetie pie for sure! He told my mother and I that my wrinkles are from the weight loss. I just thought it was from being 28 and a former smoker and sun worshipper

Best wishes with your surgery tomorrow.  Let us know how it goes. . 

Hi-

I had the same deal.  I wanted fleur de lis because the top of my abs were really flabby but the PS kept saying let my get in there and see what I can do I think I can pull it down tight enough.  Meanwhile, I did a ton of core work for three months before the surgery.  It felt like I spent half my summer doing the yoga pose (superman) to try to tighten my upper abs.  I told him I'm all for less cutting but this is one and done. I'm never doing this again.  I must admit it was weird going in the OR and not knowing precisely what I would come out with.  So, I awakened to no anchor cut and it looks good.  I am only 21 days post op but so far so good.  I really think the PS should make the decision once he opens you up and sees the quality of the muscles and what the options are.  I trusted my guy implicilty.

Good luck,

Beth

Beth, your story sounds JUST like mine. I worked out very hard the 6 weeks before surgery. Before the 6 week workout plan, the surgeon said fleur de lis. After the workout period, he said I looked much better and he thought I only needed a regular. I had surgery Tuesday Sept. 14th, so I am not even a week out. When I first took the bandages off, I thought OMG I have a muffin top still, he made a mistake! But I went to see him and he held the muffin top and told me that he has to think about the day of surgery and what I looked like. He said I was flat and tight so he opted for regular TT. Please tell me when the swelling will go down so I can get a good indication of whether this upper ab fat is my destiny. It looked smaller yesterday and my surgeon did say "it is just swelling"...thank you!