Question for those who had multiple surgeries

How did you decide which to do first? Upper body or lower?

Was it a matter of which area bothered you most? Or which was most immediately affordable? Or which worked for recovery time off work at a certain time?

I was planning to do the breast reduction/lift and brachioplasty before the lower body lift (although if I could talk my surgeon into both at once, I'd much rather take 8 solid weeks off work and get it all over with at once than need 2-3 weeks one year and 8 weeks the next).

I have ALWAYS wanted a breast reduction, and my arms are quite distressing to me. I hate seeing myself in the mirror during my weight lifting workouts--my tshirt sleeves always ride up when I lift above my head and then stay up a little when I put my arms down and the extra roll of loose skin is always visible. It makes me cringe. I am not comfortable going sleeveless. So I thought I'd do boobs/arms first. And then someone said if you do that and your stomach protrudes (mine does--I've got another 20 lbs to lose and most likely a ventral hernia but the surgeon wasn't 100% certain because I'd had gall bladder surgery not long before I saw him and he didn't want to push around too much on my abdomen while it was still healing...I see my bariatric surgeon next week and plan to ask if he can tell) you could end up looking pregnant if you end up with enough of a reduction. Don't want to look pregnant either--I'm done having children, lol.

Trying to plan my 2014 medical expenses (the ones that CAN be planned, anyway) and am trying to figure out what to aim for first. I'd love to hear how others have handled this.

Thanks!

 

There are several surgeons who will do the bodylift, arm lift and breast lift together. So that may be an option for you.

Otherwise I suggest doing what bothers you the most first because if something happens to delay your next surgery then you might regret your decision. As for me, there was a body part in each one of my surgeries that I hated. Thankfully I have gotten both surgeries done. Now I hate my face and that is next on my list. 

Do the one that bothers you the most.  Sounds like your arms!

You shouldn't be out for 2 months after a LBL.  I was teleworking at week 3 or 4, and back to work full time (desk job) at week 4 or 5 (how quickly we forget!). 

My surgeon won't combine upper and lower work.  It pulls in two different directions and he feels it creates too much tension for successful healing.  However, there are many docs who will combine if you want to go that route.

I did what bother me first, my lower body.  My next surgery will be breast and arms.  My last will be thighs and face if I get that far.

I could only take off 8 weeks, so I combined with my LBL, BL, arms, and sm inside groin thigh.  4 days later, I did a full neck & facelift.  I was off for 8 weeks.  I did go back 2 yrs later for an UBL.  After everything else was fixed, the upper back skin was annoying.  Dr Sauceda combines several procedures at one time.  I spent 2 weeks in Monterrey the first time and a week the 2nd time.  If you click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line, it'll take you over to our group here on OH.  I documented my trip and recovery.  My first surgery was 1/13/11, the face 1/17/11, UBL 1/21/13.

Since I needed hernia repair, it was the perfect time to have a tummy tuck. Since insurance covered the panni removal, I put that money saved towards a breast lift and arm lift, which my PS discounted for multiple procedures. My stay in the hospital (three nights instead of one) was coveredby insurance because of the hernia repair and that also allowed my short-term disability to kick in to partially cover unpaid time off work. My tummy is also what bothered me most. Thighs will be the second surgery.

I am jealous! I had to pay for everything. But I am happy for you and glad that it worked out so well! Who is your plastic surgeon?

I was very blessed! I know some folks have insurance that pays for the entire TT as a medical necessity, mine did not go that far. My awesome surgeon is Dr. Chris Jeffries in Traverse City, MI.

Oh, that is right. I think that I asked you about him before. I just got a bill in from HUMC for anesthesia. They don't even explain why they are charging me more and were rude in regard to payment terms. 

Oh that sucks...and certainly no reason to be rude to you or anyone else!

I'm still waiting for EOBs and insurance bills for surgery almost a month ago. I have no idea what I'll owe for the hernia repair portion. I'm also concerned that because my surgery was 7+ hours long instead of 5 that I'm going to owe even more than what I paid upfront for the PS.