Fort Myers or Nashville?

I have a hernia.   Maybe incisional - just above my 2" hand port scar- or maybe was there all the time and finally has room to show!  I am almost 18 months post DS.  Now that I'm working out it is getting to be more and more of a problem.  So I will be crazy not to try and work in some abdominal cosmetic work at the time of repair, although I would have preferred to spend my PS dollars on my arms.  Would it be too much to try and do all at the same time?  Anybody have a notion of where I will find the best docs for this, in Nashville or in Southwest Florida?  I spend time in both towns.  Funds are tight, so I would hope to throw in a little extra while (hopefully) the hernia repair and related hospital stuff will be covered by insurance.  Seeing my primary care (in Nashville) on this Wednesday and will open discussion there, just would appreciate all info I can soak up before I see him.  Suggestions for type of tummy tuck?  When standing in profile, I stick out farther above my belly button than I do below it.  There is a a real definite dividing line between my two tummies.  I do have a panni - but not as big an apron as I had expected for my amount of weight loss.  Other than the big ol' alien baby hernia and related (I think?) fluid accumulation in that area, it is my huge old arms that drive me crazy.  I am having to buy tops too big for the rest of my body in order to be able to get the sleeves over my arms.  They are mostly skin, but there is still a big resistant pocket of fat above the elbow an the back of arm.  My legs match the pattern including the fact that one side is significantly larger than the other.  That is right down the line on that whole side of my body including boobs of course and even my ear is bigger on that side!  I'll greatly appreciate suggestions of good surgeons who will work with me to include the extras (for a reasonable fee) with a good repair of the hernia, and be competent in both areas.
Regards,

It's nice to see you here! I don't have any personal recommendations of surgeons in those areas but I wanted to suggest that you ask your PCP or even your bariatric surgeon if they can recommend a surgeon that has a lot of experience with patients who have lost a lot of weight.

Procedures can definitely be combined and you can save some money by doing it that way. It cuts down on fees like for anesthesia and hospital or facility fees. The plastic surgeon should be able to let you know which procedures he feels are safe to combine. If you have a lot of loose skin above your belly button, the anchor cut (Fleur-de-lis) tummy tuck might be recommended. It really helps to address that upper skin and the excess skin on your sides that create the muffin top.

I was also going to suggest that you take a look at http://www.realself.com/
 You can search for plastic surgeons by area. You can also post pictures of yourself and ask questions and real live plastic surgeons will answer your questions and make suggestions. I found the site very helpful. You can read reviews by many patients, good and bad. You can also view a lot of before & after pictures.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!


Edited to correct the link.

Thanks Renee.  You are my PS idol.  You so generously put it all out there, all your pics and info, and have made such a glorious transformation.  Going to the suggessted site now!
Regards,

Thank you!
I gave you the site address incorrectly. It is...   http://www.realself.com/