OT: Plastics

Not pregnancy related, but I know some of you have had plastic surgery so I'm asking here first. 

Unless the sea parts and I gain the ability to walk on water (although I wouldn't need the sea to part if I could do that) I doubt I am getting pregnant again.  : (      So I started talking to my husband about plastic surgery.  Clearly I am not ready for it just yet, but I am thinking in the next year or two (probably closer to two) I want it.  

Has anyone had the skin removal on not only the abdominal area, but on the thighs and arms all at the same time?  What's the recovery like?  How long would I need someone to help me with the kids?  Most importantly, what's the monetary damage?  Here's what I want done:

Boob lift (no implants, just a lift)
TT
Lipo/Skin removal on upper thighs
Bat wing removal on the upper arms

I don't know if we can even afford it because that's a lot of surgery, but I do know that I would want it all at once.  

I don't know how heavy you were or how much excess skin you have....

But I consulted with 3 surgeons (2 in the Chicago area, and then Dr. Aly / Dr. Cram in Iowa City who are experts at what they do!).

All agreed that combining procedures is fine IF you're not under anethesia too long.  I know some surgeons in Brazil will do a "total body lift" and put you under from 8-12 hours to do so...  I mentioned this to Dr. Aly who said that is very very dangerous.

As it was with JUST my lower body lift (no thighs done - just back/hips/stomach) I was under for almost 7 hours.  (I was over 400lbs at my highest and had a lot of skin!)  I had my lower body lift in Chicago. 

My arms I had done in Iowa because Dr. Aly is the best and I knew insurance wouldn't cover it... plus he was pretty reasonably priced compared to Chicago docs.  My arms / breast lift (no implants) took over 5 hours. 

I had hoped to get my thighs and arms done at the same time - but Dr. Aly said that recovery from that would be very difficult given you have to wear compression garments / empty drains and having two major "muscle groups" affected at once would be too stressful.

That being said....  I had a lot of skin and in bad areas.  Maybe you are a better canidate for a total body lift....  I know you'll do your due diligence and talk to actual patients of the surgeon ask for before/after pics, etc. 

I would LOVE my thighs done.... but I can justify now.

Money -- my lower body lift was partially covered by insurance (skin rashes).  So I paid about $4000 to have my "butt" and lower back done. 

My upper-body-lift I fiinanced myself with an 18 month no interest loan I paid off.... for both arms /  upper back / and a fabulous lift as well as staying in Iowa for 2 weeks for post surgery care the cost was about $18,000. 

Feel free to ask other questions and I do have before and after pics, but my computer is in the shop so I'd have to dig them out of my husband's computer.  

Good Luck!  It was one of the best things I've done for myself.

Cindy

Julie - I've seen some of Cindy's pictures - she looks fantastic!  Someday...I'll fly my bat wings somewhere and get them done.

The only plastics I have had, so far, are my arms/brachioplasty.  So, I can at least speak for that.  That was the one thing I had to have done as soon as I had the money because it is freaking hot here and it is hard to find summer clothes that covered the arms.  I refused to wear sleeveless or anything without longer sleeves (guys t-shirts, 3/4 length shirts) because my arms sucked.  I honestly have no idea how long my surgery took, but it was scheduled for 4:30 pm and I was home about 8 pm and that was with a 30 min drive.  I took a week off of work, had drains for that entire time and one a few days longer, was supposed to keep them wrapped up for I think a month or so.  The total damages were $4950, I got a 3% discount for paying cash.  Thankfully, I was going through my divorce at the time and we had just sold our house so that is what I used to pay for it.  It was my little present to myself for my freedom :)

One word of advice...  follow the docs directions with keeping the scars bandaged.  My scars are horrible looking and I think I am to blame for that.

They usually don't do arms and TT at the same time.  You need the arms to combat the immobility of the TT. 

I went to the PS before I got pregnant just to feel things out money wise.  I went from 363lbs to 190 and oddly enough my boobs bothered me the most.  I wanted just a lift and he said there was no way for me just to get them lifted, because they would end up looking cone shaped so I would have needed a small implant too.  The estimate was 18,000 for boobs!!!  No thanks I will suffer with my Vicky's secrete push up bra thank you.

I wish maybe 10 years from now I could get them fixed and a LBL.  Good luck!

Holy cow!!  I got an estimate from my PS on my lift and implants and it was only $8,700.  My eyes popped out of my head at that price, let alone the price you were given!!  I know the east coast can be a bit more expensive than other places but that is a HUGE difference!

I also researched plastics....granted this was a few years back so prices have changed but I can tell you that I was also told thta they would typically do either bottom half or top half, but not all at the same time unless one of the halfs was something "minor" like lip versus a lift or reduction type procedure. I initially did go in for a consult for a breast reduction, also was told I would need a small implant, but it was denied by insurance, I did not pu**** and as luck would have it they shrunk/deflated on their own....I would defintely have to have implants now....no point in lifting empty skin...lol
My stomach *looks* flat but I also have skin but my thighs are a nightmare, Sharpei's would be jealous. I would also probably go for the full lower body lift....I think price wise it may average out and if it can all be done in one shot versus separate billing for multiple lower body procedures that would be better I would think. Who knows. I am curious to see what all the replies are and what info you get.

Thanks for the responses ladies.  : ) 

Bottom half first it would be then.  I live in an area where it's generally cold so I can hide my arms.  I am more self conscious about my stomach and thighs.   I can lift the boobs with great bras in the interim.  

I just want to be able to have my bottom half match the top in size.  I have a small waist and these thunder gimungo thighs.  So my pants never fit right.  

I wish my stupid back would fix itself over night so that I could get back into the gym.  I hate feeling like a slug.  

I had to laugh at some of the responses...I'm sure we can all relate to them. 

The one thing I always think of when I see my granny boobs in the  mirror is a song my younger sister came home from kindergarten singing...I obviously change it to fit my cir****tances.  She came home singing:

Do your ears hang low?  Can you tie them in a bow?  Can you throw them over your shoulder? Do they wobble to and fro?  Do your ears hang low?!

Make your own substitutions and sing along w/me!  Here's my version

Do your boobs hang low? Can you tie them in a bow?  Can you throw them over your shoulder? Do they wobble to and fro?...



I know it's probably not an option for you because it'd be just a tad difficult...but I plan on checking out Bangkok when I get to do my plastics...they have very good hospitals and it's about $20K for everything - boobs, butt, tummy, arms, etc.  I may not be able to have it in one shot...but I didn't think that was a bad price over all. India also has some good hospitals, but I'd trust them less than Bangkok.