Extended Tummy Tuck, BL/BA, & Arm Lift- All at once..am I crazy? or is this doable?

Hi all, I have mainly been lurking, and post every now and then here.  I've been looking into getting plastics for some months now and have been to about 6 consults so far.

I met with a surgeon today that I really like.  Very good reputation and reasonably priced.  The surgery would be done about an hour drive from my home.

I am healthy 39 year-old, had the DS about 20 months ago and have lost all my weight.  I am litterally just skin sag.  So he says he could do my surgeries in much less time than most as my proceedures will mainly be skin surgeries and not much lipo etc.  He said I could have the extended tummy tuck with BL/BA (6 hour surgery in the surgery center) or I could do everything which is extended tummy tuck, BL/BA and arm lift in about 7-8 hours at the hospital.  He said I could do it, but I would hate him for about 2-3 weeks.

Has anyone done the abs with the arms at once or anyone have any experience with the recovery of either one and how you think the recovery would be combining all of these at once.

I know for sure I would be renting a lift chair if I go with doing the arms along with the other stuff.  Otherwise I don't think I would be able to get up

Any insights?

If you have had this done, how long before you could drive and go back to desk job.  He said 3 weeks...sound reasonable?

Love this board, and look forward to sharing my experiences with you all as you have with me.

Hugs
Christina

Christina, I have not done this, but is there a big $ savings by having it done all at once.  And is that enough motivation for you to put up with the extra pain????  Just wondering....

-Jenny

Hi Jenny,

By doing the procedures together I might save about $2400 to 3,000 .  In the grand scheme of things after spending 20,000 the difference of $2,500 is certainly not that much of a factor for me.

The more important things to me are having one recovery time and time to take off work.  But most important to me is being able to pick-up my 3 year-old as soon as possible and getting on with caring for her as normal.  Having 2 surgeries means not being able to do things and lift her for 6 weeks or so.  Almost as soon as I'm able to lift her I'll be having a second operation and have to explain to her why mommy can't pick her up again.

My surgeon also uses a pain pump to solely help with the muscle tightening pain.  I have a high tolerance for pain, and don't much care about that part.  The drains (4) will be something that I  know will **** me off...but it comes with the deal  :-)

I am scheduled for a circumferential lift and my arm on November 8th at a cost of 10.000.21, I'm not expecting a pretty recovery but this was my surgeons reccomendation and financially ot works for me. Anestesia time at under 6 hours because there are 8 people in the room all doing something. (Creepy HUH)

Phase 2 is thighs and breast implants at 12.000.50

This hospitsl isa bout 5 minuted from my house.

Wow that's alot of people in one room  LOL.  Thanks for sharing this with me.  Good to know I'm not the only one jumping all in.

My surgery is scheduled for November 18th...so I'll be right behind you and looking for your motivation

Thank you
Christina

I'm having a lot done at the same time by Dr. Sauceda in Mexico.  1st surgery is LBL, Thighs, Breasts and Arms.  A few days later Facelift.  I hope I'm not crazy, but I want 1 recovery, not the 4 that Kaiser wants to do.  Savings is over $30K by doing it in Mexico.  Dr. S uses an epidural rather than putting you out so that he can operate longer and monitor closely.   I still have time to chicken out but I'm really set on having most or all of it done in December.

Wow good for you.  I have read of many who have done that with Dr. S and do well.  You will be so happy to just get it done.  Thanks for sharing that with me, and best of luck and fast healing to you

Thank you.  You too!!  I do wonder if I'm crazy or not.

Mine are being done in 2 stages.
TT/Fleur de Lis with muscle tightening almost 4 weeks ago.
Arms and breasts in Dec.

Dr wanted it this way. My belly took 5 hours alone. To do it all at once would have been long and arduous...and a very difficult recovery.

We all have different experiences and reasons for splitting up procedures or not but I can tell you that I needed no help getting in/out of bed, on/off the pot...ever.

My arms are strong. Without the use of my arms, I would have been sunk. I would have needed total care. I just did not want that.

So, I am more than happy to split mine up.
Insurance covering all for me, so that helps in terms of cost savings for me.
Not an issue for me but I know it is for those who self pay.

My two cents!

I am so interested in how and what you needed for your  insurance !  I am just nowbegining togather info
could you pm me and let me know what all you needed ??
Deb