Plastics approved

Insurance pre approval is secured for everything I want to do so I am starting my plastics journey at the end of March 2014 with a tummy tuck and breast lift. Then in November thighs and maybe arms. I think my arms are just a tiny bit saggy, nothing drastic so I am going to think about that. So I have three months to learn everything there is to learn about tummy tucks and breast lifts. Any advice, suggestions from you all who have been there, done that would be great! I am having a normal tummy tuck, not the anchor cut one, just hip to hip cut and he is fixing an umbilical hernia and tightening the abdominal wall muscles and breast lift with hopefully no need for implants. Thighs just on the inside, the scars will be along the bikini line not down to the knee. Anyone had this kind of thigh lift? And did anyone have a mini arm lift with the cuts just in the armpits area? Does it give good results? My surgeon seems to think it isn't worth it and the full arm lift he said is not necessary in my case. I am still kind of undecided about that.

Tell me about the aftermath and scar care, swelling, what to expect...anything that would be useful. Thanks!!!

See how you feel after your first round. It's kinda like painting a house. When you paint one room, the rest looks worse in comparison.

As far as the mini-arm lift, I have not heard of anyone getting the results they wanted from that.

I only had the breast lift. For most of us after massive weight loss, with the breast lift alone there is not enough fullness on top. I look great in a bra, but want to look better braless so I will be getting implants as soon as I can afford them. Nothing huge, just enough to give me fullness on top.

I was thinking the same about the breasts but the surgeon said that he didn't think I needed the implant. I don't want to have to go in there twice.. so I think I will tell him that I want some upper pole fullness so he has to do what he needs to do to guarantee that!

I am also thinking of a lower body lift instead of tummy tuck and thigh lift separately. I guess I am going to abandon the arm lift idea mini or otherwise... I don't want to have the pit to elbow scar and they are not that bad. But I love your painting the house analogy... indeed this is true and likely to happen.

Thanks for your reply!

Good luck with your up coming surgeries. I am in need of a lot of skin removal. I was wondering what insurance you have and what hoops did you have to jump thru if any. Then also what ps surgeon are you using and where. Thank you far any information you can share.

I didn't have to jump through any hoops. I have private United Nations insurance in the UN office in Geneva so it is not a USA based insurance at all. But it provides worldwide coverage. I went to a local plastic surgeon and he wrote a letter to the insurance stating what needed to be done and they have approved. I can use this doctor or I can go to any other one of my choice. I think I will be going to Dr Joseph Capella in New Jersey. He seems to be very experienced in post weight loss plastics/body contouring and all that. I had a good consult with him on skype and he answered all of my questions 10/10 so I am pretty sure I am going with him. I will have an LBL and  breast lift (no implants). That's all that I need according to him.

Well I hope it all goes well for you and I will pray for you to have a speedy recovery and that he does a fantastic job for you. Someday I hope and pray I can get done what I need. I hate all this excess skin it makes me feel and still look fat. I am 5 years out and have maintained all most every pound I lost, I have only gained back about 50 pounds but that was because I became very anemic and the dr gave me IV transfusions with steroids and ever since then I have not been able to lose what I gained. But it has been over a year and I am stable here. Thank you for responding to my questions.

Best of luck to you as well. I hope you get the plastics you need! I feel very fortunate and excited about the prospects of looking and feeling normal again.

Good luck with your surgery!  I'm also scheduled for plastics, lower body, on December 27th!

Happy New Years present!!!