2 years, 223 pounds, starting to think more about plastics

So, I am just rambling and talking some things out. I'm not really looking for advice, I guess. I dunno, just need to get this out somewhere...

My VSG was June 2011. I had an emergency neck fusion in April 2012, uterine ablation in June 2012. I am scheduled for a double lumbar fusion July 2013. Originally, I thought I'd do plastics Summer 2014 (was going to do them this Summer, but the back issue needs to come first).

Hubby is a teacher so that's why I tend to do those things I can control a little in the Summer. We have really good insurance, although they didn't cover the VSG, I self-paid. BUT, with the lumbar fusion, I will have met my max out of pocket (like I did last year, I didn't pay a red cent for my ablation).

I'm starting to consider having a trunkplasty (the one consult I did, he said that my back really is good, but I have SO MUCH upper tummy skin that a trunkplasty is where I should consider). I did some research and I think I agree with him. I do want to do another consult or two.

He seemed pretty sure that insurance would only cover the panni part of it. I think I'd like to go through the appeals process and write a letter, etc. There is seriously just as much upper tummy skin than lower. It's in REALLY bad shape, all of my weight was in my stomach and it shows. My legs, while a little saggy are nothing compared to my stomach.

BUT... I was thinking of having it done in mid-December. Hubby will be out for Christmas and that gives me two weeks. I can also fly my sister (who works for me) out here to be with me after if I need additional help (I have kids that need to be driven all over the place is the biggest issue).

The problem with insurance approval is that I'm VERY careful with my skin there. I use powders, creams and go through a lengthy hygiene process so that I do NOT get breakdown of the skin. I could leave it and let it fester (and frankly smell) but I don't want to do that. I have no idea if a well-worded letter will help my cause, but I'm willing to try. I suppose if not, I could hit my 401k or finance it, but I'm hopeful...

(I'm sure you all are shaking your head LOL)

Mexico is not an option for me. I cannot leave my business and family for two whole weeks to go there and I'm not 100% comfortable with it. I've already decided that that option is totally out for me.

The biggest problem is that I really hate feeling like a burden and being so reliant on my poor husband. We've been married for twenty glorious years and he's amazing, but it just seems like SO much to ask. As it is, I've been unable to drive much because of the pain meds for the past two months. He has to help with things when the pain is too high, etc. I'm just not sure that it's fair. He is, of course, 100% for me to get it done and he will handle things, but... yeah. I feel guilty to choose to do this after the major back surgery.

And then there's the "how to pay for it" issue.

After the stomach, I NEED to get boobs. There's really nothing else to say there. It's bad. My arms as well. I think I maybe could live with my thighs (although the plastics guy said that a simple lift with no vertical cut would do fine). Hmmmm. I dunno, I feel selfish for considering this. I guess I need to check to see how long all the appeals and crap take, assuming I have a snowball's chance.

So much to think about!

Good luck with your journey, what ever you decide.  In case you are wondering costs, I just had a Lower Body Lift with inner thigh lipo in the Providence RI area.  Not covered by insurance at all.  That cost me just a little under $19k.  I have a quote for a breast and arm lift, that will be about $9k.  Due to scheduling (I am training to run 3 more 1/2 marathons so I can't be not training for another 6 weeks after the breast lift + the 6 weeks for the LBL) I am likely going to get that done next March.   

It is expensive.  No doubt about it.  But even only being 2 1/2 weeks out from my LBL, despite the swelling and surgical drains, I am THRILLED.  For the first time in my life, I am actually happy when I look at my body.  I am no longer embarrassed to have my hubby see me naked and the idea of even wearing a bathing suit in the future makes me excited in a good way.  The emotional change in me is even bigger than the physical one and for that, it was worth every penny. 

Best wishes to you!

 

 

Yeah, I have quotes from the surgeon which are right in line with that:
Trunkplasty - $11k
Arms - $6k
Boobs/Thighs - $13k

I dunno. $30k just seems like a lot to sink into it, but it is what it is. Ah, fun times.

I relate my WLS and Reconstructive surgical costs to being the price of a new car.

I self paid for my WLS and then arms/breasts and later a full abdominoplasty for a total out of pocket of about 27,000.

I decided I would rather have a new body than a new car .... So, the car is now 9 years old, and the body is newer!! 

LIKE have never regretted the time or money I spent to change my life.

Yup, that's ultimately why we self-paid for my VSG. Cheaper than my car and frankly, I'm worth it. I cannot put a price on the gift I gave myself.

I'm sure plastics will be the same way. Like I said, I WILL find a way to pay for it if I need to... just hopeful LOL A long shot, I know.

Congrats on all of your accomplishments!

I noticed you said you have work done in RI... I live in Ma and I'm looking for a doctor right now. I already had a lower body lift and I'm looking to get my arms and thighs next (having a hard time finding someone who will do them together!)

I was wondering if you could share you doctors info? I'd be interested in visiting him to see if he can help me.

Also $9000 is good for arms and breast... will it just be a breast lift or implants as well?

Thank you for you help!

Hi! Thank you!  

My doc is Dr. Rachel Sullivan.  http://rachelsullivanmd.com/  She is amazing, and I'm not just saying that because she made me weigh 13lbs less in an afternoon!  LOL

She is really easy to talk to, will take time to talk to you, let you know what will work best for you, answer questions and has a great bedside manner.  I never felt rushed or just like a number.  

My quote was for breast lift only, I had a lot of issues with stuff "implanted" in me (bad experience with Norplant, IUD, Realize Band and even a dental implant) so I am going to listen to my body and go with just a lift.  My boobies are pretty saggy, they actually have always been but now they are saggier because there is less volume.  I used to be a 44DD, now I am in a 36D but that is mostly due to the excess skin and bra fat area.  Once that is removed, I would likely be a full B (maybe a C if we did a fat transplant).   She would do it out of the surgicenter rather than the hospital.  

I'm not sure if Dr Sullivan would do thighs and arms together.  She didn't want to consider doing my arms/breasts at the same time as my LBL because she said I would need my arms to help compensate for my lower half being impacted. Inner thighs and arms might fall into the same boat, but it can't hurt to ask.  If you do a consult with her, it is $125 but she spends like 30-40 minutes with you.  And if you decide to move forward, the $125 comes off the total fee.  

As far as docs (in general) go, she is definitely one of the best I have ever worked with.  And if the magic she did on my LBL is anything to go by, the woman in an artist!  

Good luck!!!

 

 

 

We are worth it! I wonder if it would also help your back trouble if you didn't have the extra weight pulling down in the front. So getting the excess skin and fat removed from your tummy may even help your back. Best wishes. I hope you can make it happen so you can enjoy your new body!

Yeah, I am definitely going to get a 2nd consult. They said that the insurance would only do the panni and aren't willing to even try, which I get. BUT they said that the insurance would only cover around $1k of the whole thing (the panni). Hmmm... that just seems off, but I could be wrong too.

Whatever I do, it's worth it, even if I have to pay for it out of pocket. My husband is amazing and we always figure it out. We will again.

I had a lower body lift and the insurance covered the front portion... to make it a real lower body lift I had to pay $4500 out of pocket. I would def try to get insurance to cover some of it even if it means talking to a dfferent doctor who will fight with/for you