Question:
Questions on Belt lipectomy (abdominoplasty) (LBL)

How much did your surgery cost? Was it done local or general anesthetic? Are you happy with your results? Had consult last week and want to go ahead but a bit fearful as I am to have it done 2 weeks after a total hysterectomy,they wont do both at the same time. Wendy    — Wendy H. (posted on September 20, 2004)

September 20, 2004
My LBL was completely paid for my insurance (Tricare Prime). My copay was $25. It was done by my bariatric surgeon under general anesthesia. The results are phenomenal. Couldn't be happier. Tough call for sure deciding to do it within two weeks of a total hysterectomy. Best of luck with your decision.
   — Vicki S.

September 20, 2004
I love my belt lipectomy, even swollen, bruised, rash from the tape, and drains coming out both sides of me I look better than I ever have. As far as having it 2 weeks after a hyst, don't even think about it. This is a tough recovery, and you will not be healed from the hyst yet. give yourself and your body a break.
   — **willow**

September 21, 2004
My belt lipectomy was about $30,000 (yay for insurance). I had it done in January this year. I was in the hospital for 5 days, the procedure took over 5 hours, and it was under general anesthetic. Because of the body moving/turning during the surgery, and amount of work being done, I cannot imagine it under a local. I went home with 4 JP drains, and the last of them came out after a month.<br> The recovery from a belt is nothing like from RNY, if your trying to compare apples to oranges. Frankly, it was brutal. Sleep was difficult, walking was difficult, and even my diet was messed up for months... And I am a pretty tough cookie (this was my 16th abdominal surgery in 4 years).<br> I took off two full weeks, and then did partial days. Thankfully I have a desk job, and could work off my laptop at home. I tried to do a full day one week post-op, and it was very hard on my body for the following 2 weeks.<br> I can't imagine doing this 2 weeks (!!) after a total hysterectomy. My plastic surgeon won't do my second procedure until 1 year after the first... this is a tough procedure and healing takes a long time. I had some swelling even 6 months post-op. <br> I hope you re-consider doing these so close together.
   — kultgirl

September 21, 2004
Wendy, I had a lower body lift done in 2 stages because I was getting alot of other stuff done as well. My first surgery was my upper arms, breast lift with aug and a tummy tuck. My second surgery 6 weeks later was a thigh lift with excision of skin to 3" below my knees, back portion of the lower body lift and back roll removal. I am HIGHLY pleased with the result of my lower body lift. I am so tight that it is still tough to bend over 4 weeks later. I had both of my surgeries 6 weeks apart and was totally ready for the second one and had healed with no complications from the first surgery. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have questions. Good luck to you!
   — SMG I.

September 21, 2004
Will your hysterectomy be abdominal or vaginal? That would make a difference from my view. I had a LBL 7-12-04. Great results. I had 4 drains. Two came out 1 week post op and the other 2 at 2 weeks post op.Removal of drains depends on the amount of drainage you are having. My surgeon said he has had people who needed the drains for up to 8-10 weeks. Some people just form more serous fluid than others. You want to get that fluid out. I work at a computer but took 3 weeks off work. I did lose a lot of blood and needed transfusions. I would wait longer than 2 weeks between these surgeries. Your body needs time to recover.
   — dianne E.

September 24, 2004
Hi. Get a second opinion. My personal approach would be to do the "front" at the same time as the hysterectomy. Not a huge amount of plastic surgery, but a TT and some liposuction. This would get rid of a lot of skin and fix a lot of issues for you. I would do this only if my OB-Gyn collegaue gave the green light, and if you were doing well after the hysterectomy. I see no benefit and some risk in having a second anesthetic, a second recovery, and a second set of incisions to heal, period...not to mention 2 weeks later !
   — DrL