Self pay plastics cost $$$$$

I went to Tijuana for a lower body lift, hernia repair and thigh lipo. Total cost was 8,100, including anesthesia & 1 night in the clinic. I had it done last November and I'm healing beautifully. The scars for the lbl are bikini line, so they aren't visible. The long scar on my stomach (hernia repair & anchor cut) is visible but fading very well, and it looks much better than my gastric bypass scar. I'm going back next month for brachioplasty, breast lift & possibly breast implants. Total cost for that is 7,600, and if I don't get the implants it's 1,000 less. 

Wow..how far out are you? I'm quite sure no one on the Indiana board even knew that you were a post-op (since your profile has no info). You really should pose your question there so you can actually get some local advise...as we have several who have had plastics on the Indiana Board..and most of the expenses are self pay. I, myself, just had a tummy tuck with full abdo and a thigh lift done last September. I had mine through Dr. Deborah Bergman in Carmel. For each procedure after the 1st, Dr. Bergman knocks off 10% of the charge. She and her partner, Dr. Grassee, are both highly recommended by those who hae gone to them. If you have insurance, they will attempt to get them to cover the charges for the panni portion of the tummy tuck & for the consultation. Every little bit helps. Other local surgeons (ie Dr. Turkle) won't. I was told by everyone how the thigh lift was sppose to be SOOOO painful. It wasn't. However, if the majority of the loose skin isn't all in the upper half & on the inseam, you probably won't get the results you want. I was cut down the inseam from crotch to knee and again along the leg panty line from half-way in front to half-way in back. I had a drainage tube at the end of the inseam incision line at the knee for each leg. The tummy tuck portion wasn't bad pain-wise either. It's incision line is along the panty line going hip to hip (actually, it's way in the back more than on my side). The abdo part though? That can hurt like heck! I had a drainage tube at the pubic area. I was 175 the morning of my plastics. They removed 10 lb of skin total plus  lypo'ed quite abit. I  was expecting ~15 lb total loss...so ~160. But....I wound up with unexpected problems that I am told was NOT due to my plastics. My intestines lost their blood supply and I ended up put into a coma for 9 days. My lowest weight was 145 lbs. I ended up with a huge hernia from them cutting into the abdominal wall in order to save my intestines. On March 3rd, I had surgery to repair the hernia...and instantly gained 15 lbs and swelled up. So..pain & recovery? Provided nothing crazy happens to you like what happened to me, the pain is very tolerable...and recovery should have been about 7 weeks. For me though, it will be 7 months by the time I get back to work and the pain has been something else. Also, I was told 'no tanning' for 12 months so that the scars don't darken up...so I would plan to not swim alot the first summer you have the work done. Again, I'd say something to those on the Indiana board so you can get some input from other locals besides just myself. And please...put something in your profile so we'll have an idea of how far you are out so we'd know how we could better be  a support to you...ok? We try to be supportive of all our Hoosier family as much as we can be.... Sherri

Hi Sherri,  I have not had my surgery yet. It is this thurs. with Dr. Huse at St. Vincent's. I'm just was intrested in knowing my "plastics" options in the future, if I would need them. I  read the O.H. board a couple times per day and really get alot of information from all of you !! I have posted a couple things on the Indiana board the last few weeks with good responses. I thought  I would tap the general board on some of these questions. I am not to computer savy so I have had trouble getting my picture and info onto my profile. ( I,m going to ask my son to help me do this ). I will be posting more in the future, as I know I will have many questions after surgery. Well I'm so looking forward to surgery in a few days, and been praying that God will help me with the adjustments and lifestyle changes ahead to help make my  weightloss successful       Thanks for caring,                    Dave

I am also self pay so have only been for a consult to get an idea... my friend had surgery with the same PS I had a consult with and her scars all look great - she did say the circumfrencial TT was the worst pain ever, and the thigh lift was gross looking (her incisions opened some, which is common from what I hear - all healhed now) anyways prices surgery 1 - circumfrencial tt - 10000 arms - 3000 hospital - 5000 total - $18000 surgery 2 -  thigh lift 5000 breasts - ill leave off since it doesnt matter to yah :-) hospital - 5000 total - 10000 grand total - 28000

Jennifer,  I'm curious what plastic surgeon did your friend and you use? I'm thinking of going for a consult with Dr Broc Pratt and am wondering what he charges for a lbl. I'm debating getting a LBL done here in US or having a TT with TL in Central America where it would only cost me out the door $12500 with 5days hospital included.

I hope your consult went well.

DrFelmont Eaves at Charlotte Plastic Surgery. I have yet to have surgery, hopefully the early part of next year. Another of DrMelkonian's patients just had a panni done with him and is thrilled with the results as well as the whole process with the surgeon and office.