Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

2,848 topics in this forum

Yesterday I had smartipo (a form of laser lipo) done to my inner/outer thighs and knees. I did extensive research on it before i had it done and read people's testimonials. people describe the pain as if you have had an intense work out. It is suppose to be so painless that it is done under local anesthesia. My plastic surgeon does it under general. Ladies and gentlemen, it HURT!! at least the first 2 days does. maybe it's because of the extent of the job i had done that make it hurt a lot. It is suppose to hurt less than regular liposuction, but i can't imagine something hurting more than that. I am not trying to scare any body, but i wish i was better prepared mentally…

Anyone have Lasik surgery in Mexico, Im seriously considering it and woud like to see if anyone has any experience with this, surgeon,prices ect..... Thanks, Don

Hi, I have been exercizing regularly, am feeling stronger and more confident. However, I have this huge belly that hangs down, I have to wear tunics in order to conceal it. I wear full briefs but it won't cover that area that comes out through the sides. Panty girdles don't help as the weight of the belly pulls it down so that it won't do much good. Does anyone have any suggestions about the best type of underwear for this? I was thinking maybe the boyshorts style, I haven't tried those. I still have a lot more weight to lose so I can't consider plastic surgery for now, probably not ever as I have limited funds. I would welcome any suggestions from people who have …

Has anyone had any experience with Smart Lipo? I still have about 30 pounds to go, but my arms are making me crazy. It seems that lipo may be easier then the other arm plastic surgery. I would appreciate any feedback anyone has. Thank you

On a daily basis I wear 3 major things under my regular clothes. First I put on a back smoother bra the one I love is Lane Bryant's they are buy 2 get 2 free right now...hop on that deal!!! http://www.lanebryan...36851/index.pro 2nd I wear Spanx Slimplicity Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit http://www.spanx.com...rentPage=family This is so worth the price but hand wash them and they will last you only draw back is having to take shirts off in order to poo but these have a gusset and you can tinkle in them and no you don't really pee on them but it is something you have to get use to it's kinda yuck at first but now I love the gusset. 3rd I wear Spanx On…

This is a recipe for my homemade whipped Shea butter. Shea butter is used to even skin tone and moisturize. The other oils have many apparent qualities. 8 oz unrefined Shea butter 2 tbspns coconut oil 1 tbspn jojoba oil 1 tbspn Vitamin E oil 1 tbspn bio oil (optional) Everything should be room temp. First whip the shea butter with blender till its soft no lumps. Then add in the oils and whip till light and fluffy. Now enjoy. I put this all over right when I get out the shower, best thing is it lasts alllllll day long. By nighttime my skin is still soft ! Enjoy

Before I had my TT, I also wanted a thigh lift. The upper inner parts of my thighs were saggy and just didn't look good in a swimsuit. I also wanted breast implants and my surgeon would only do 2 procedures at a time so I chose the TT and implants. Well now I don't really need the thigh lift. It turns out if most of your thigh sag is at the very top and your doc does a really good TT that skin will be stretched and pulled up when they pull up all the groin skin. I'm not saying my thighs are beautiful and perfect now but they definitely are not saggy enough for me to spend the money or time on a thigh lift. I am so happy with my figure now:)

How is your port protected during a TT? My PS said I did not need to be unfilled, which was my burning question, but now that I'm home and looking at the surgical info and trying to figure out how the port is protected given the fat around the port area is separated from the abdominal wall. I may just be confused!! if anyone knows I'd appreciate your feedback.

I'm new to the site and was wondering if anyone else has found that they have increased restriction after having an abdominoplasty. I am 8 weeks out and have realized that I'm really tight. I'm not sure if this is due to some ongoing swelling or the increased abdominal pressure from having my abdominal muscles restored. Thanks - Mary

Ok, im literally terrified of the pain, sigh. On a more practical note, what the hell do you wear after a TT? Having been below goal weight for four years now, i have a wardrobe full of nice clothes. Am i going to have to wear sweats to work in three weeks time? Can i take my nice nighties to hospital or should I take the grungy pj's? im completely waxed, nails are done, hair cut and coloured and tan topped up, lol. Gotta get your priorities right! Just doing all the housework i havent done in the last six months as its suddenly incredibly important that it be done right now, have to go and buy easter eggs for the kids, book for hospital, cook inner for the kids…

HI EVERYONE I AM NOW 6 MONTHS POST OP VSG AND DOWN 80 LBS, IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT THAT MY BAT WINGS THANKS TO THE WEIGHT LOSS AND BIG ARM GENETICS ARE NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON AND MIGHT IN FACT GET WORSE. =( BUT I AM STAYING POSITIVE AND AM LOOKING INTO COSMETIC SURGERY I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS HAD AN ARM LIFT, BREAST AUGMENTATION OR TUMMY TUCK IN THE LOS ANGELES, CA AREA. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS TO DOCTORS AND OFFICES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE LIKE US AND OUR ISSUES AND CONCERNS! THANK YOU

I'm having tt and breast reduction surgery on May 21st. My surgeon has told me what to expect, and my sister, who's the head nurse at a large surgical practice, has told me her version, but I'd like more info. If anyone has experience could you please tell me how long YOU were out of commission. I am a teacher so I will be off of work for the remainder of the summer, but I do not do REST very well. I can't stand laying around or sitting around. I'd like to know how long it was before you were able to get up, get dressed, and go on short outings to the store etc.. I sill have drains. My surgeon does nit use them, except with weight loss patients. He's very firm about …

I'm considering having a tummy tuck done, I live in Texas. Does any one know of a good surgeon.

May 3rd I will be getting my arms done! It is my bandivrrsary gift to myself. My 1 yr is April 6th & I'm down 105 pounds! !!!! I'm also having my chest wall area done to get rid of my 4th boob. Lol

I have a question Dos anyone knows if insurance pays for any plastic surgery after losing weight? I have Medicaid and live in New Jersey. I will really appreciate if anyone can help me with this. Thanks

Hello everyone!! i have a question and hoped some of you would share the info with me. for those who did use a medical loan to pay for their plastic what one did you use? what was term and details with it? thanks so much.....momma wants a TT and momma NEEDS one : ) Renee

Waiting on reconstruction of mons/ pani approval. So my information was sent to insurance company a month ago and they keep asking for more information and we send it in. Last of it sent off today. Called they have recived it and sending it for another dr to decide if its medically needed. Finally made it to the next step. My insurance was different then most. They tell you nothing about how to qualify. You just have to send in pictures and drs recomendation and they decide with that. I did send in a list of meds that I had used over the counter. I had been to one dr dermotoligst but betime he seen me rash was almost gone. He called me in something. Then my plastics wrot…

Hi everyone, I'm relatively new to the boards but have been snooping around for a while. I'm getting sleeved on Feb 24th and am uber excited about it =) Anyway, my boss (who is actually very supportive of what I'm doing) is a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema treatments. She told me to wear compression garments head-to-toe at all times as quickly as I can post-op to prevent the saggy skin syndrome. She said her sister had bypass and lost close to 300 lbs and because of wearing the garments, only had about an inch of pinchable skin at her belly after all was said and done. I thought that was quite amazing. Has anyone had experience with this? Because o…

What Is the wait time to have a tummy tuck after lapband? I'm 36 pds away from goal weight

So, it's been really hard for me to find information about this and I think everyone has their own opinion about what a MINI thigh lift is. From what I've heard the standard inner thigh lift is either around the groin area and sometimes down to the knee...and in some cases it is just a 10" to 12" scar running along the pubis crevis towards and around the butt. One place described a mini thigh lift as I would understand it. She described hers as an incision around 4 inches. This would be ideal for those that don't have sagging all the way down to their knees, etc. Most of my problems are in the front and inner thigh, definite improvement would be seen but I don't think …

I am 2 weeks out from a hysterectomy, they were sopposed to do my hysterectomy and abdominiplasty back to back but the hysterectomy had complications and I was anhestesia too long so they canceled the abdominiplasty, I am doing well, not in any pain my plastic surgeon said it would be ok to do the abdominiplasty at 2 weeks out, any advice should I go forward with the abdominiplasty or wait until 6 weeks after my hysterectomy? thanks

I have some serious skin issues, however I can't afford to have it fixed by surgery. I recently came across a product that helps with tightning skin, and tones it as well. I want to share information about this product with others. If you want some information email me at brandi31477@gmail.com and i will send you some information....

I'm 30 years old and have been overweight for about 15 years. My weight got really bad around my early 20's. I started this journey at 326 (my highest) and currently weight 255. I have not noticed any excess skin yet, but I have about 100 more pounds to reach goal. Are my chances of having a lot of excess skin likely? I do exercise and am loosing slowly (1.25 pounds/week), but I'm sure, since I was overweight for so long, that I will have excess skin in my stomach, butt, and thigh area. For those of you who have had surgery to remove excess skin, how much weight did you lose and how long had you been overweight. I will definitely have the surgery one way or anot…

I had my band done 3 years ago and I am look for a plastic surgeon. Looking to have a TT and a thigh lift. Any suggestion?!?! Thanks.

What are the odds that I'll be able to get to a point where I'm comfortable with my shirt off WITHOUT surgery? For the record, I'm 39 y.o. male with a BMI of 42. I have a big tummy, but it doesn't droop down over my waistband. I have some stretch marks from a rapid weight loss/regain in my teens. What I'm HOPING is that with sufficient exercise (and eventually weight lifting) I can avoid most of the super-invasive plastic surgeries. However, I'm trying to figure out how realistic my hope is, or if I should set my sights a little lower... The odds of me having tens of thousands of dollars for plastic surgery any time soon are... slim to none.

Hi All, I am wondering if you have any advice on when and how you know that the majority of your excess weight is leftover loose skin vs. pounds you can still lose. I am currently at a weight I've been at before (a long time ago...) but with more muscle than last time and so I'm not sure how many more pounds I can lose, especially given that I'm sort of at a stand still despite working out a lot and eating properly. It also seems like I have a lot of loose skin from all the yo yo years and my pregnancy so it's confusing. Any ideas on how I can get a better sense? Is it time to see a PS surgeon yet? Also, anyone have any information or had non-invasive or minimall…

Hello, I had LAP-BAND® on May 2008. I have had success with my band, I am only 6 pounds away from my goal. This summer I went to my country of origin and I had PS. I stayed there for 2 whole months with family. I had a great experience and that is why I wanted to share my final results after 5 months of PS. FYI, I had the following procedures done at the same time. My surgery lasted 9 hrs. I had Full Tummy tuck with 6 packs defined and waist defined. I had Whole over the body high Definition LAser (VASER) Liposuction I had Brazilian Butt lift I had Breast Augmentation with high profile cohesive silicone gel. Just wanted to share since i am a different women, mo…

Just wanted to know, whether approved or denied, how long did it take your insurance to make a decision? (Specifically if you have/had Aetna, I'd like to hear from you.)

I had a circumferential tummy tuck in September of 2011. At the time the doctor had suggested a fluer de lis tummy tuck but I was opposed to it give the potential scarring. Five months latter I am considering have the circumferential revised to a fluer de lis to deal with the sagging middle stomach, as I am still unhappy with the results. Anyone have one? What are your scars like? Are you happy with the results? Thanks

I've been reading through a lot of the posts in this forum and have gotten some useful info, but wanted to go ahead and post for myself. I'm about 10 lbs from reaching my goal after getting the lap band last May. I have quite a bit of extra skin in my stomach and breasts and would like to start looking in to reconstructive surgery. I'm wondering at what point I should start going for consults and looking to have this done. I read somewhere I should wait until my weight has been stable a year. I'm of course not that patient and would like to look at getting it done sooner. Also, I'm wondering if anyone has any good recommendations in NYC, preferably that sets up financ…

I realize there are many different procedures for this, however wondering if someone can share what recovery is like? How much time off of work, drains, compression wer etc..... Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

No longer just pencilled in, for 27 March! I cant believe I'm doing this. I have never been overly enthusiastic about cosmetic surgery, and I never thought I'd have the money to do it either. I had to go and see my lapband surgeon to enquire about whether he was happy for the PS to move and/or change the port. He didnt mind that, but he was less than enthusiastic about me having a tummy tuck at all, which was odd as generally he's a lovely guy. He thinks I have nothing to tuck - I didnt bother pointing out that he's only ever really looked at my tummy with me lying flat on my back. I think he thinks I'm being swindled - because I have bilateral inguinal hernias an…

Ok so I'm going to see a second plastic surgeon (this one doesn't charge a $50 consult fee ) Anyway, first time my insurance denied me. However I don't think my surgeon then explained much of anything in the letter or whatever to the insurance. Here's the thing...they covered my lapband completely. I went from 270 to 135. I do have a lot of hanging skin, it doesn't look like it because it's being held up pretty well so it just looks like I have a fat belly still basically except that it folds hot dog style on itself as well as rolls? If that makes any sense but yeah it's really loose. And here's the reason for that and the reason I hope my insurance will cover: About 1 t…

Does Aetna cover panniculectomy? and does anyone know a good plastic surgeon in AZ (tummy tucks)?

A clinic near me has an offer on at the moment, and i am very tempted to try this, but I'm not sure if it really works, or if I'll just be swapping a perfectly good cow fr some magic beans! Any experiences would be very much appreciated. Thanks folks

I'd really like to have a tummy tuck- however, i am not rich and I don't know if I could afford the procedure. yesterday I had a consult- my insurance will cover if I can constitute a medical reason. I have been told that if I have rashes I can provide that to my insurance company.Can anyone give me some examples of medical reasons they have been able to document?

Hello everyone, So tomorrow is my big day... i'm getting my tummy tuck and boy am i nervous... but excited too. I'm looking for pointer, and tips to help me get through this. I do have a high tolerance for pain.... but you never know. So to all my fellow Tummy Tuckers..... What helped you the most with your surgery? Thanks..

I am having breast reduction surgery on tuesday will having this surgery affect my band in any way? I know my appetite won't be the best for the first few days after surgery so I was wondering if I should just do like protein shakes. Hoping someone can give me a little advice on this subject. Wish me luck.

Ok this is strange or is it normal i dont know? ok i've still have about 80 lbs to lose and ive already lost almost 200lbs i have alot of excess skin i was told i needed to wait to have reconstruction surgery till i had lost what i needed to but last week i started a new thing one is im lop sided on one side of my body which i have more skin this is the deal the other night i go to lay down and i thought maybe pj pants pinched it cause when i layed on it it felt like someone was pinching my skin sending fire up myside ! well every night or like if i shake it to hard like if im doing zumba it does it ! so am i crazy or does it need to come off soon? or do you just want to …

My insurance has approved my panni. I wanted to have the tummy tuck in conjunction but just don't have the extra $6000. Please reply if you have only had the panni. Are you glad you did it? Does it look weird still having the "top part". What have been the pros and cons?

These aren't the best. I'm going to take more after my shower today and make sure my camera flash is off first. Despite all the bruising I'm post op day 4 today and I still haven't needed any Vicodin at all. I'm very happy with my results. I had the no drain method Tummy tuck.

My goal is to have PS this summer. Tummy tuck and breast lift with implants. I have gone to one consultation, and liked the doctor a lot, but really want to visit a few more before I make my final decision. How do you find the right plastic surgeon? Are there questions I should ask when looking at websites and talking to the receptionist on the phone to make the appointments? I am feeling so overwhelmed right now. I want to find the best plast surgeon I can. I figure that I have worked so hard on losing the weight. This will be icing on my cake (so to speak). Btw, I live in Jacksonville, FL if anyone has any recommendations or knows of doctors I should avoid

I had a face and neck lift with chin augmentation 16 days ago in Costa Rica. I love my chin! I always had a slightly receding chin and a rather large nose, so now my profile is better balanced. I have scabs behind my ears and in my hair that I keep wanting to scratch off but resist because that will just delay healing. There are some red bruises on either side of my chin and yellow in front of my ears. My neck feels like I am wearing a tightly tied bonnet and my ears are swollen and pretty large. Right now I think my face is too tight but I can't tell if it is still swollen or if this is it--some must be swelling because I can't open my mouth very widely. There was…

I the band Sept 7 of 2010, I lost around 80 pounds and I want to have a tummy tuck and brazilian butt lift along with lipo around the hips and inner thighs. But I am 24 and never had any kids. Should I have the tummy tuck performed? I really want a flat stomach....I'm so confused

So i just made my appointment for my TT for this coming Wednesday the 15th...... and boy has the anxiety hit. I have been wanting and anticipating this surgery for the past two year and now that i'm a week away... i feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I need advice and reassuring..... Please.... from people who has had the TT and felt like this right before.... thanks.

Hi, this is my first post on this forum. I had a tummy tuck a little over a year ago. Since then, I have regained thirty pounds. I plan to loose at least 15 of that (several people have told me I got too thin). I'm not sure it will be enough, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. My question is, did I effect the results of the TT. Will my skin bounce back? Has anyone experienced weight gain and loss after a tt?

I have been looking into that body shape wear advertised on this website. Leonisa or something. Has anyone tried these products? How were the results?

Hello, does anyone know of any good cosmetic dentists in Tijuana? I am going to Mexico for my sleeve on 2/19, and I'd like to also have a dental consultation while I'm there. I want to get an estimate on some veneers.

Have any of you or people you know, firmed their body w/out surgery? If so, what are suggestions?

How do you know when its time for surgery? I started this journey at 285 pounds and a size 26...now I'm about 180 and a size 14..but I am all belly..if I didnt have my belly I would be in about an 8..i have to be 144 pounds for a normal bmi but already boney in most places..should I lose that last 35 pounds before I contact my PS?