Single stage Total Body Lift vs. Two Stage

So, I have a dilemna and I'm looking for feedback from any of you that may have faced a similar cir****tance.  I had my RNY in 2001 and Tummy Tuck in 2006, then in 2008 Mons and inner thigh lift....this is where the story takes a turn for the worse.  The Mons lift actually cut back into my TT scar and left a horrible result then the thigh lift was done so badly that one leg was left with not enough skin and the inner thigh had to be fused to "other parts" and the other leg was left with too much skin so it's as if no lift was done at all. (Very hard lesson learned about teaching hospitals)  Added to this is the fact that I still need my arms and chest done.

So, now the diemna, I have the option of having this corrected at Cleveland Clinic Florida but they too are a teaching hospital and since the last result was very unusual they can not give me much assurance about the outcome and they do not provide pics of past patients.  This option would save me about $5000 and is close to home however.  This would do nothing to address my arms and chest and I would have to wait at least 6 months to undergo that surgery and of course the seperate recovery as well.

Option two is to go to another local hospital and have the urologic surgeon do his part and then pay to bring in my own non participating plastic surgeon to do the cosmetic work, this surgeon has done extensive work with bariatric patients and has a background of satisfactory results.  This would hopefully resolve the thigh issue but would leave me with the same issue as above regarding the chest and arms.

Option three is to pay signifcantly more out of pocket and travel to Pittsburgh to see a well known Dr, who is known for completing multiple procedures in one surgery.  I'm sure you can all relate to me wanting to have this done and behind me after having gone through four surgeries already.  So, my questions are, has anyone hear had upper and lower body done in the same surgery?  Can you tell me about the pain level, complications, and overall experience?  What if he determines after I'm under that they have to stop early and can't complete all the procedures?  Any feed back is welcome.

Hi Flucca, I've sent you a PM. I'm so sorry and actually saddened to read the nightmare you've gone through. It sounds though as you are not really having a full lower lift but rather extensive repair of previous surgery which may or may not be different in terms of time in the OR and planning as well as your recovery. I think this is something you have to discuss with the surgeon. I would definitely use an experienced surgeon for the lower work. And perhaps an experiencde surgeon would be able to perform all the surgery in one go safely and appropriately.

While people here has posted great results from teaching hospitals/residency surgical programs, I would only go to them for something simple. They might be okay for your upper body but I'd be nervous about fixing a previously botched surgery.

Another thing to consider is how well do you heal - if you had problems in that area you might want to limit the surgery. If you heal quickly, then you don't have to worry.

I'm curious to see what others suggest.

 I am very sorry to hear what you have been through!  How traumatic for you.  :(  I can't give you an experienced viewpoint b/c I have only had a panniculectomy and am going back in 3 weeks for my LBL and TT procedures.  However, I do know the surgeon you are referring to in Pittsburgh and he is very highly rated for bariatric post-op patients.  I can only imagine how great it would be to get it all done at once if possible!  I wish you the best of luck, and please keep us posted on your progress and decisions.

So sorry for what you've been through!  Can't even imagine.

I would think you would want the use of your arms while recovering the lower body.  I had an abdominoplasty yesterday and I've been very dependent on my upper body today to sit and then to get back up.  I just commented to my husband that I'm very glad he didn't do my arms at the same time.

Just a thought.  Hope you find a happy solution.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at the teaching hospital. I used one for both stages of my PS and couldn't have been happier. My first round was the LBL w/anchor cut, butt auto augmentation, breast lift and back lipo. My second round included the arm lift, side of chest removal and thigh lift plus retightening my anchor cut since it had loosened up some.

I must admit that doing my arms and thighs together was tough. I needed a lot more assistance doing those together than my LBL. It was very frustrating to say the least. I just couldn't afford to take more time off so I was all about getting it over with. I was very fortunate not to have any issues so that helped.

Now had I felt that my original surgeons didn't do a good job I probably wouldn't go back. A lot of this falls back on the attendng physician. Both schools that I met with had attending physicians that were board certified and had their own practice and they did have before and afters. Plus they both had lots of experience with weight loss patients. Now the Residents probably wouldn't have them but I trusted the attending physicians to be there the entire time and assist the Resident. I remember when I spoke to the physician at UTMB and expressed my reluctance in having the Resident do the surgery he assured me that he was there the entire time and not in another room drinking coffee. Plus this particular Dr had taught some of the best plastic surgeons in Texas.

I guess the bottom line is that I would do what feels right in your gut. I know you'd save money going to a teaching hospital but if you are dealing with the same Drs then, you may want to think twice.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Melissa