Exploring Plastics- Long

Hello everyone. It's been awhile but I am in the process of exploring plastics and would appreciate any help or insight you can offer. This is a long post so feel free to pick in choose which of my many questions you respond to. And thanks so much for reading!

Background:

I am ~1.5 years out from a lap-band to DS revision. I have lost nearly 200 pounds from my high. I am 15 pounds from high end of goal and 25 pounds from low end. (goal between 170-160).

Procedures

I am looking at a total body lift (upper and lower body lift), Brazilian butt lift with auto-augmentation, breast lift with auto augmentation, thigh lift ( I think I need an inner, outer, and the spiral thigh lift- I have a loft of skin on my upper thighs), also my lower legs appear at least to me to be a little bit saggy- is this relieved by a thigh lift?

Procedure Questions

1. It looks like these procedures are often split into different sessions- what was your experience?
2. I am interested in the auto-augmentation for the breasts and butt. Has anyone had this procedure done? Where you pleased with your results? How much of a cup size did you go up?
3. Thigh lift- has anyone had the spiral thigh lift? Is Dr. Agha the only surgeon that performs it? Did any of the thigh lift procedures help with your lower legs?
4. Breast Lift- I am currently a 36DD. I still have *some* but not much breast tissue. What cup size did you end up with?
5. How much weight, if any, did you lose from the procedure? I have significant redundant skin.
6. How many sizes did you go down?
7. What was your recovery time (feel free to separate by procedure).
8. For those of you that traveled (I'm in Atlanta) how long before you could return back home?
9. Scars- okay, the good the bad and the ugly. What am I looking at here?

Doctors

Because I am interested in the spiral thigh lift and the auto-augmenation Dr. Agha has come up in my search. Are there any other surgeons you would suggest? Does Sauceda or LoMonaco do these procedures?

I really appreciate you reading this far and your input into the final portion of my journey. Happy New Year!

I would go on RealSelf.Com and read some of the reviews before I would consider a spiral leg lift.  Everything else is very doable.  My surgeon split up my surgeries but I believe that Dr. Sauceda would do most of them at the same time.  Dr. LoMonaco does the LBL and Breasts at the same time too that I am aware of.

Thanks Tess. I did see on result on real self that was concerning. Do you know if Dr. sauceda does fat transfer to the breasts?

No, Dr Sauceda does not do fat transfer to the breast.

Hmm I wonder if I can have the lift done with Dr. S and the fat transfer back home? For that matter, I wonder if I could have the bulk of procedures done with Dr. S and maybe the thighs and breasts done here?

Will Dr. S do the total body lift, Brazilian butt lift, breast lift, and arm lift all in one procedure?

He does the LBL and your butt is lifted that way!  He doesn't do the Brazillian.  He will do all of those procedures at once.

Send your pics to Dr S and he can tell you what he can do, how much he will charge and how long he will require you to stay in Monterrey. Usually you have to stay 12 days. 

Congratulations on all you accomplished!

Have you had any consults yet?  You will probably find it helpful to have some consults and hear what the surgeons recommend for you, rather than having your mind set on certain procedures.  It will give you a good comparison to hear what they recommend, and why.  You may be surprised.  You've named some of the top experienced guys, so I dont think you can go wrong there.

Procedure Questions

It looks like these procedures are often split into different sessions- what was your experience?I had three rounds of plastics.  First round was a LBL, BA (with small BL on one side), and Arm Lift.  Round 2 was Inner thigh lift.  Round 3 was some minor revision to my LBL.

I am interested in the auto-augmentation for the breasts and butt. Has anyone had this procedure done? Where you pleased with your results? How much of a cup size did you go up?

No, I have silicone implants, under muscle.  I dont know many who have auto augmentation.

Thigh lift- has anyone had the spiral thigh lift? Is Dr. Agha the only surgeon that performs it? Did any of the thigh lift procedures help with your lower legs?

I have an inner thigh lift (long scar, down a bit past my knee.  No complaints.  By lower legs, do you mean calves?  I didnt really have an issue there.  My thigh lift corrected any issue I had.

Breast Lift- I am currently a 36DD. I still have *some* but not much breast tissue. What cup size did you end up with?

I was a 44B before my WLS, and a 36B after losing weight, but before plastics.  After plastics I am a 34DD.

How much weight, if any, did you lose from the procedure? I have significant redundant skin.

The amount of weight you lose after plastics depends on how much excess skin you have, and how close to goal you are.  If you still have more fat on your body, and more weight to lose, your skin will weigh more.  For comparison, I started at 290lbs.  Lost down to 150.  I am 140lbs after plastics.  I am 5'7".

How many sizes did you go down?

I was in a 10 before plastics, now I am in a 6.

What was your recovery time (feel free to separate by procedure).

Not as bad as I thought, at all.  Even after my first round, which was extensive, I was up and about in a few days, and could have gone back to work at a week.  The thighs werent as painful, but required more care because you just cant easily get into a sitting or squatting position for about 10 days.

For those of you that traveled (I'm in Atlanta) how long before you could return back home?

I drove 3 hours...well, rode in the car 3 hours..2 days after my Round 1, and same day as my thigh lift and revision.

Scars- okay, the good the bad and the ugly. What am I looking at here?

I think this depends on how you heal, the condition of your skin, as well as the technique and expertise of your surgeon.  Ask to see plenty of pictures.  Mine have mostly faded and do not bother me one bit.  It 's a small price to pay for the results I have.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply.

I saw my bariatric surgeon and he has asked that I explore surgeons closer to home.

In my first consult they told me there was no issue with my lower legs (calves). They also did not think I needed the inner thigh lift. I think your advice about getting  more consults is wise.