How much at once?

I was, and remain, dedicated to my tummy tuck.  I am completely flat chested (always have been, in fact) and so I started contemplating doing a BA at the same time.  This has never really been a pressing surgery, but the more I thought about it the more I began to think that if I ever wanted it, now would be the time in terms of money, recovery, and having my idealized image of my body.  Sure enough, all the surgeons have agreed that makes good sense to have the BA and TT at the same time.  

I had not considered anything else because I either thought it was too expensive, couldn't be done, or would just be too much.  Until I went to a consult where the surgeon does several WL patients and told me everything she would do from a "body sculpting" perspective.  She said she would do the TT, but include lipo on the stomach and the flanks though probably not tighten the muscles since I haven't had kids, do lipo on the thighs, and BA.  She said that the lipo would make my stomach look much better and that they cannot do thigh lifts (and as bad as my thighs are, I'm not interested in that anyway) with a TT but they could do the lipo.  She said it was a close call, but if the thigh skin after lipo did not go back well enough then I could have a thigh lift at some future date.  

Another surgeon I went to said that he does not do lipo on the stomach during the TT because it complicates the healing process too much.  He would, however, do lipo on my *****something that's been bugging me for a loooong time).  But I'm scared about the chin because I'd rather have a youthfully round face than a turkey neck.

The last surgeon I went to said it wasn't a problem to do lipo with the TT but that it wasn't necessary when the skin was being removed (?).  I could also add lipo in other places.  

I had finally begun to conclude that there might be several things I could do but I really only needed the TT/BA.  And then my older sister just had BA/BL and a c-section scar revision along with lipo and tightening the muscles (she's a tiny thing thought).  My mom had been against the idea of me spending too much or doing too much.  But after staying with my sister concluded that I should do whatever I want and as much as they would do at once.

What are your thoughts?  Why all the conflicting opinions?  

A lot of it has to do with your health, age, medical history how well you are in "shape" to recover from the surgery and what the surgeon feels comfortable doing.  Make a list of what you want done, research and speak with a couple of surgeons to see what they say is right for you.  The better you are in shape, the faster you will heal. I had 3 major surgeries in one year.  Worked out like a body builder for 6 months before surgery. Upped my protein and had 8 procedures done for the first surgery.  Healed in record time and not much pain.  Second surgery there were less procedures and it took a little longer to heal. The last one was the longest to heal.

So do your research and good luck!  Keep us posted!

Lipo has always sounded like an iffy and painful thing to me.  And I think the doc that said it wouldn't be necessary with the tuck is correct.  All lipo does is suck fat out.  But the defatted skin is still there.  The tuck removes the skin and any fat that's hanging onto it, so lipo is unnecessary.  And I definitely wouldn't do lipo on my face/neck.  If something goes wrong - fat deposits aren't even or there's rippling - it's next to impossible to fix.

If you're not getting muscle repair with your tuck, it should be easy (relatively speaking!) to combine with a boob job.  Lipo the flanks.  Lipo'ing the thighs at the same time may tip you over the edge, but if you're willing to go for it and have the aftercare for recovery, then do it.

I had a prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction from my abdomen a couple of years ago.  By doing the reconstruction from my abdomen, I got most of a tummy tuck including the incision.  I also had my breast tissue removed and my breasts reconstructed using the abdominal tissue along with a breast lift - so I have the scars on my breasts as well.  I came home from the hospital with 4 drains that lasted up to 2 weeks.  That surgery was all that I wanted at the time.  I believe that if I wanted lipo of some other area at the same time, that he probably would have done it.  I believe their primary concern is where the incisions are going to be.  They don't generally like to cut in two major areas.  You don't want to have to worry about incisions in too many areas.  Lipo is only an issue because of the bruising and pain that it causes.  But you really can put weight on an area that has been lipod, it will just be painful.  Incisions are another story, you really want to treat them delicately, not put much strain on them and risk separation. 

A lot also has to do with your ability to tolerate pain.  Pain medications will help but you really don't want to stay on them too long because of constipation.  The incisions that I had really didn't hurt that much at all.  It was really the lipo area that hurt more. 

If the issue is cost, generally speaking subsequent procedures with the same surgeon will usually get you a discount on his fee but that really depends on the doctor.  Facility fees usually are not discounted for subsequent procedures.

Dr Peter Fisher here. I assume you had significant weight loss. I did not here you mention a Lower body lift from any of your consultations. If you did have significant weight loss then a LBL certainly needs to be discussed. I just about always include lipo. when doing tummy tucks and LBL's. Would definitely persue a BA at the same time if you are interested. Completely agree with suctioning of the thighs to start with.
If still uncomfortable with a surgeon, keep looking until you are satisfied.
Good luck.
www.mybariatricplasticsurgery.com

First and foremost please be sure that you go to a plastic surgeon who has significant experience with massive weight loss patients. 

Definitely look at the big picture and understand that if you fix only one or two areas that there may be a mismatch with the rest of your body. This of course depends on your age and the amount of excess skin you have. It saves a lot of money if you combine procedures versus doing them individually.

My surgeon undermines and excises the redundant fat when he does the TT. He does not do lipo. I agree with the surgeon who told you this complicates the healing process. It doesn't make sense to me to lipo the stomach since they will be undermining and have full access to excise the fat.

You need to do the surgeries that will make you happy. My mom had told me I was beautiful and did not need the surgery. Well, I did it for me, not her. But it is nice to know she thinks I am perfect that way that I am. 

 

 

You can take pics from the front, side, back, side and closer up (neck/face) and send to [email protected] and he'll get back to you with a quote. 

We have a group here on OH.  I had an LBL, BL, arms & sm thigh lift, and 4 days later a full neck & face lift in 2011.  I went back last Jan for an upper body lift.  We have a few ladies down in Monterrey now.  You can check out our FB group Body By Sauceda.  Click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line and it'll take you to our group here.