Stressin'

Hey all, Did ok with the water but still need to get in another 20g protein or so. Probably have a shake. Anyway- got a call back from hosp. quoting me 9 thousand for my part of the panniculectomy with a day of hospitalization. Same day surgery had quoted me 2600 which i could swing. Both say they do not take payments on cosmetic surgery. I don't know whether to take out a loan or what if it ends up I go to the hosp. People at work tell me they are full of it when they say they won't take payments. what do you all think? My hernia repair is covered by insurance but not TT. I also missed a call from the surgeons nurse so am not sure what that was abbut. I got the message after work and she called at 8 this morning. I hate this!! but remember it well from deciding to have the bypass. This too shall pass. Thanks for listening. Lucy

If you show up without full payment, plan on them doing the hernia repair only...most PS do NOT accept payment plans. ~~Sherry

Actually the surgeon I am using is the same one that did my bypass and is not a plastic surgeon. Don't know if that changes anything.

Lucy--That is a ton of money for a panniculectomy even if insurance wasn't paying for anything-and in your case they should be paying for a goo portion. I paid substantially less than that for a full tt with muscle repair. Why are you wanting to do it in a hospital with an overnight? Most people do it as a day surgery. I think the hospital pricing has gone crazy lately--at least my hospital quote was. I'm nosy so I'm gonna ask--why did you choose your wls to perform your plastics? Have you seen pictures?

My WLS Surgeon did my TT. If I had to do it over again, I would opt for a plastics....that's my opinion and mine alone. I am not happy camper. Darlene

Darlene, I am curious why you are so unhappy with your TT. Maybe I am being naive in thinking my wl surgeon can do just as good as any PS. Maybe I should re-think this. Lucy

1. I was the first one he done 2. I asked for NO dog ears and have two hideous ones 3. I lost my belly button, there was a chance for that to happen so it isn't that big of deal. 4. There was a lot more loose sking that he could have taken. When I voiced my concerns to him about the dog ears, his comment was, "well, your not in Hollywood are you?" He is a great surgeon and I won't speak to unkindly of him, but when asked about the TT I tell my people in support group if they can get it covered thru a Plastics to go for it. Darlene

Darlene, I guess you learned a valuable lesson too late. I talked to a Plastic Surgeon and if you "lose" your belly button, the surgeon should make you a new one. There's NO reason not to have a belly button! You were one brave person to go to a surgeon and be the very FIRST guinea pig, errrr, ummmm, patient!!! Wow!! And the attitude he showed you wasn't real great, either, was it!! I'm sorry you had such a bad time! Jan

Wow, that's a pretty dismissive comment from the surgeon, I think I'd remember that one for a long time, too. Sorry you had that experience!! When I did my PS consults, I told all the PS's that I didn't care if I kept my belly button or not. To a man (I saw four of them), they all looked kinda shocked and offended, and I finally "got" the fact that it's a matter of basic professionalism for a PS to save (or at worst, make) a belly button -- it's sign of shoddy workmanship not to do so, apparently. The term "dog ears" also made them sniff (though they certainly acknowledged the risk). So, it's hardly a "Hollywood" expectation to avoid those things.

I don't mind questions at all Linda. My wl surgeon offered to waive his fee for my TT because I had to pay for my wls because of my employer and he was indignant for me.... I hope he remembers making that offer. And I am quite sure he will live up to it. ( I also just always assumed he would be the one to repair my hernia which was a result of wls.) He is an excellent surgeon (does a variety of procedures- not specifically wls) and a truly nice man. I don't necessarily want to do hospital-- was just checking prices. I believe my surgeon did mention day surgery during one of our talks and that quote was much cheaper. My insurance won't cover the panniculectomy because I have not had skin breakdown. So anyway I trust my surgeon and will probably go the day surgery route. He may not do as "pretty" a job as a PS but I am confident in his abilities. Thanks for the input. Lucy