Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

2,848 topics in this forum

I was banded on April 29, and had a great experience. Very Happy. 2 days ago I got a breast reduction/ lift. Paid for by insurrance. I was supposed to be a c cup, but I am a B cup. Too small It is very painful. He did some lipo on the side and that is really bruised and hurts like heck. I have a flat chest and a very big stomach. I guess the swelling is making me look very diformed (sp?) Is any of this normal? Does it get better? I was so happy up until 2 days ago. I was 25 pounds down but now I am up 6 pounds and I am only on liquids. I can not figure out why I am gaining wieght. Thank you so much for any help or advice. Teri:confused:

Hi, I am looking for recomendations for a PS in Washington state? I need to get a tummy tuck. Thanks in advanced!

I had a full tummy tuck on the 15th (yeah!!) and I was told a few days after the surgery to "take of the dressing and clean the wound". So here we are and it seems much more complicated than that. We (hubby and I) opened up the elastic compression bandage and found a large white dressing that wraps all the way around me. Does this just come off? What's under there? What is the best way to do this - recliner or standing up? Do I have to replace the dressing? Or just clean it up and then put the compression on again? Spongebath - what exactly can't I get wet? If I'm cleaning the whole area with soap and water, why not just take a shower? Questions that should have been ask…

Hello all, I haven't posted for awhile but hae been banded since 9/05, I went from 226 lbs to 145 lbs and am in need of a TT. One dr, quoted me $13,500. I can't afford that! Does anyone know of a trusted surgeon who can do it for less? Thanks in advanvce. Darla

Hello all, I am very excited with a new chapter of my journey of losing over 143 pounds after being banded..... 2 weeks after the birth of my 4th son Jamie I was phoned to meet with a plastic surgeon I was on the waiting list via the public hospital system here for 2 years.... I met with my surgeon and found out my Tummy tuck would be covered by medicare so it would not cost me any thing... I would just need to buy a Marena compression garment which is $179 aus dollers. Well last Friday I was called to say my surgery was set for June the 9th.... I meet with the anetheist on the 27th of May and on the 8th of June I have the liquid removed from my band. I am sched…

Hey all! I was wondering if anyone had any information or experiences to share regarding plastic surgery procedures done through a residency program or teaching hospital. How to go about applying for surgery, any requirements you had to meet, cost, overall experience, etc. Any info would be much appreciated!

Hello all, I am schedueled for a tummy tuck july 19th and recently picked up smoking 2 months ago due to stressful family health issues. The past week Ive cut down to a few a day and trying to quit permanently. Just wondering if anyone had any plastic surgery complications due to smoking before surgery. Beleive me Im trying to quit but its hard at times. I just wonder if one week of no smoking is sufficient prior to surgery???? thanks

I am about 60 lbs away from my goal and I am thinking about plastic surgeries. After losing 115 lbs and carrying a full-term triplet pregnancy at my highest weight, I need some serious work done. I need to get my arms, legs, torso and breasts done. I am just wondering how many separate surgeries it will take and what the cost will be. Thanks for any info. Danielle

I will have been banded a year in August. I still have about 25 pounds I want to lose, but I know I want to have a body life over Christmas Break. I'm a teacher so I only have two possible time periods to be off work. Does anyone have suggestions for plastic surgeons in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area? I actually live in Roanoke near the motor speedway.

Well, I am just about 4 weeks out. Dr says I can start bumping up activity level. I went for a fast walk for about an hour today even broke a sweat. Now i am paying for it. My tummy is sore and really swollen! Can I ask what everyone else did for exercise?:thumbup:

Well the title pretty much asks it. I'm just looking into getting a tummy tuck myself and I'm worried about getting an unfill/gaining etc.

How soon after your TT do you fill like dressing in a non elastic pant/skirt/short? Also, when I go back to work after two weeks will my pants fit bigger in the stomach waist? Will I still be swollen still and look the same (or bigger) then I did before?

So I have this very young tactless friend who we all adore, but who without realizing it says the MOST horrible things. He hadn't seen me in about a week and I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and he hugged me then grabbed my arm smiling and said, "Anna your arms are so much different, I mean seriously look your skin is like elephant skin now!" Holy S*** I am only a month post op. I already had old lady flabby stretch mark arms, but as I lose more I fear my vanity may make me crazy!!!!

I had a penniculutomy (TT) 3 weeks ago and today they took out one of my drains because it had slowed down enough; however, they left the other one in since it was still draining more then the 30 ml in 24hrs. Now, ever since leaving the doctors office the drain they left in has quit draining. Should I be concerned about this?

I posted this in other forums hoping to be able to get as many people as possible to read and hopefully help.... So, about 2 months ago, I had a tummy tuck and hernia removal (which still seems to be causing problems, but that's a whole other issue). Since then, over the past month, I've noticed that my band/port sticks out more than ever AND IT HURTS! I mean hurts all the time! My insurance referral time has run out and my PCM is getting another referral for further visits, but that could probably take at least a week. This pain is making me crazy. I've been told I may need to have the band replaced with a smaller one OR that the pain could be caused by it havin…

Hello everyone, It has been a while since I posted. I started at 370LBS and now I rest between 176-181. I have met goal weight. Here is my question. Can the loose skin around your midsection, belly and love handles get worse with time? I am not gaining weight but I noticed in the past few months my pants are fitting tighter. I am afraid I am gaining weight but the scale just bounces from 176-181. I got as low as 161 at one point but the doctor made my gain some weight because it was a health risk. I am frustrated. My "newer" pants feel tight, I have even had to go up a notch on my belt to be more comfortable. However, strange enough, my shirts fit the same! I still wear …

I had breast lift/reduction a wk ago. I went for post op appt. yesterday. My dr. was sick so he was not there. The nurse gave me a pamphlet for surgical bras. She said she forgot to give it to me sooner. She had no info as to what my Doctor wanted me to get. Do I need one? if so what kind? or can I just wear a Sports Bra? Any tips would be appreciated.

I would like to know a little more about breast surgery....how many different types.. breast lift... reduction... ???? my breasts are pointing south!.....and sice i have been over weight all my life and have big breasts...... I wonder what surgery would be best for me.... all I want is a lift..no implants.... which surgery is more painful? ......and how painful is a breast lift? how long does the pain last???? thanks

from ayear it happen to me a car incident , i need surgery to be acceptable in our community so do any one know who is the best doctor in plastic surgery at BRIGHAM and WOMEN'S HOSPITAL i appreciate any suggestion

Has anyone worked with Drs. Goldberg and Krieger in Fairfax? I'm down from 265 to 150 and think I'm just about ready to pursue reconstructive surgery. I've been looking into surgeons who specialize in post-bariatric work and their practice keeps coming up. If you know anything about them, including preferring one over the other - please share!

I have given birth to 5 children and have weighed as much as 250#. I have very long breast and they are a full DD. I get the worst rash under my breast. My insurance will cover a reduction. My dr. said he will do a lift and a little lippo on the side of breast, because of extra skin. I am very fortunate to have this all at no cost to me. But after pre-op appt. I am scarred to death! I had gall blatter removed 2/28 lap band 4/29 and all the test leading up to the Lap Band. I am kinda sick of surgery. I had a hard time after gall blatter, but Lap Band has been great. I can not delay breast surgery because my insurrance will only cover as long as 1000 cc are removed. If …

It would be so nice to get rid of my turkey gobbler.

Well I had my TT this morning and am doing fine. My muscles did not get tightened so my recovery time will be shorter, I think. I still have a Scopolamine patch on, and it is doing well to prevent nausea. No foley catheter inserted, so no discomfort down there!!!! I have an abdominal binder on, but not tight, barely there, in fact. One drain present but will have it for 1-2 weeks. I hope I am pleased with the final results as the doctor was not aggressive with my midriff and I still have some of the wrinkling I had pre-op. Mimi

I had gall blatter removed 2/22/10 then on 4/29 I had Lap Band now thurs. I am having Breast Lift/ reduction. With Lap Band I was so prepared. I new what to expect before durring and after. Mainly b/c of this forum. I am mostly dreading my Breast surgery and I am very nervous. Can anybody share thier experience with me. Good, bad or the ugly. The Dr. has told me the medical side of it. But I really like hearring from people who have been through it. Thank you so much. Teri

This may seem like a silly question but one thing I do worry about post-surgery is the flab hanging around as the weight is lost. I'm over 60 and have been large most of my life. I have other physical limitations which interfere with exercise. I know as I lose the weight I will be more active but I'm not crazy enough to believe that the skin will tighten up. Others have said, go for plastic surgery ... well here in British Columbia, that is not paid for on insurance ... it's considered cosmetic. Living on a limited (disability) income it is cost prohibitive. I would certainly like to hear others comments or experiences living with the loose skin. John

Is there anyone here who had plastic surgery with this doctor.

I had a tt (and hernia repair) this past monday and came home from the hospital on tuesday. I was not given an abdominal band/belt thing to wear, did not get drains and now I'm wondering if that was right. I know it depends on the individual doctor, but I'm just concerned if anyone else has dealt with this..... I am in tremendous pain! I'm taking 2-5/325 percocets every 4 hours and that does not help a bunch with the pain, so I'm going to ask for a stronger perc... It HURTS everytime I get up to walk, when I go back to lie down, sitting up. Just everything. It hurts to cough and even blow my nose Also, since I didn't have the drains put in, I'm getting little p…

ok here goes i had a tummy tuck and a breast lift on april 12th about 3 weeks post op. i lost 100lbs quit smoking for this surgery. went cold turkey by the way so its been a bit hard on that part... either way i dont know what to think of my results. my breast lift i am totally satisfied and my tummy tuck well im bigger then before the surgery. they say its due to sweling and i hope it goes down. im alot flatter but its sucks not being able still til this day to be able to wear my fat jeans. the sides of my stomach over hang and to me that looks disgusting. my question to others that had this when does the swelling go away and when can i expect to be able to wear my cloth…

ok, i'm about to start the next phase of this journey. I'm hovering around 6 pounds above my original goal (i say that because i would LOVE to lower it, but at the same time PS may bet rid of the rest of what doesn't seem to want to budge!). My PS consult is Thursday 11/12/09. I'm not planning surgery until March of next year. I just want to know what he wants me to do...maintain, lose more... I'm trying to get all the questions i should ask all written down so i don't forget anything! the plan is to have a lift with implants (i'm sure i don't have enough tissue for even a C!) and a tummy tuck. would love some lipo if there is any backfat and above my belly i…

All you Tummy Tuckers!!?? How long after surgery were you able to stand up completly straight! I am almost 2 weeks out and still huanched over a bit! One other question, how long did you wear the compression garment that you got from PS before you changed to a spanx like garment?

I am getting my PS done on Jan 5th and my band dr's office told me i should have a complete unfill so the anestisologist can get the tube down. Has anyone else had to do this, or have you gotten surgery without getting unfilled. My appointment is tomorrow for the unfill and then 2 1/2 weeks till surgery. I'm scared I will have no control and go splurge on food. Thanks for any insight.

Hi everyone, Was not sure where to post this, but figured this was probably a good place to start as I am looking in PS for my pannus. I have a very heavy pannus. Have lost about 80 lbs. and my tissue is very, very dense to begin with. Had BR already and PS said I have very dense tissue. The pain I have with my pannus on left side is in the groin area, deep pain when sitting at the computer and working and also have a hard time walking (I do 30 min. a day walk). I feel like I need some type of support. Any suggestions on what to wear. No rash, just deep pain in left groin. Feels extremely heavy. I have heard that hernias can be involved with the pannus. …

ok. I'm 10 months out and have lost 105 pounds. (only 10 pounds to goal.) I want to have cosmetic surgery at around the one year point, maybe 15 month. I'm 55, so no spring chicken, nothing is going to make me look like when I was young, would just like to look and feel firmer. My problem areas are: thighs -oh my gosh, they look like elephant legs belly -not as bad as I thought it would be breasts -were sagging lots before, now not much tissue left at all arms -looks like the skin is separating the lower fat from the upper part of the arm , from the elbow to the armpit, I guess they call it bat wings (part of this is obviously age) I would like to hear from all of…

Well I am 2 years out from my lapband surgery and decided that now I would like to have all of this extra skin removed. I had an initial PS consult in February. My surgeon is Dr. Michael Beckenstein in Birmingham. I worked in surgery for 6 years and I really liked his work. He submitted the procedure to my insurance and it was denied. I was heartbroken. It turned out to be a blessing, because that is how I learned that my insurance would not cover any complication involving my band. (I had bc/bs which covered my band - then I changed jobs and switched to Viva). Luckily my HR department was not aware of this either and let me change to bc/bs (which is more expen…

Has anyone had lipo to get rid of the double chin? I'm just wondering how effective it is and if bariatric patients have had success with lipo alone in this area (i.e. would most weight loss patients have loose skin in this area after lipo). I'm planning to have abdominoplasty and brachioplasty next month, and I'm considering asking my surgeon about liposuction in my neck as well. Thanks for your help.

Hello..has anyone used Dr Lomax out of Peoria, IL for plastic surgery?

I'm planning to get a brachioplasty and some TT/breast reduction revisions this year. I also believe I need a thigh lift. Unfortunately, I've read that getting one's arms and legs done at the same time is horrific from a recovery standpoint. I really want to do the procedures together because I'm done going under the knife. MimIn, I know you had them done together. Would you mind providing with a little insight regarding your recovery? If anyone else has had them done together, I would really appreciate your insight too. Thanks.

Hi Guys, We did it. we lost the weight, and now its time to get a tummy tuck. If you are getting a tummy tuck, or considering getting a tummy tuck please PM me. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I just have some stellar information for you.

1) How much did you pay for brachiaplexy? 2) If your insurance paid for it .. how did you get the medical justification for your arms? did you have to have ulcers? pain? etc... 3) Did you go to multiple plastic surgeons for opinions or just 1 and were you happy with what they said? Reasons for questions... I am 1 year post op and in need of something- My arms are hideous and my legs are too... I found out that I cannot have my legs done as of yet beacause I still have more weight to loose and need to plateau first... Plus I have Lymphedema which makes me a greater risk for any lower limb procedures.. RE: my arms.. surgeon said they are way bigger than he has seen and …

Has anyone had their plastic surgery covered by their insurance company and how?

Does anyone have any experience with tricare or triwest and plastic surgery? I'm still a ways from my goal, but I want to get the ball rolling now if I can. I'm wondering if anyone has gotten any kind of plastic surgery approved through tricare and if so, what kind. I'm thinking that I will need a lower body lift and breast lift with implants. I'm almost 100% positive they won't cover the implants, but not sure about the rest. I did a search, but didn't really find anything. Thanks for any help you can give.

It's finally here! Monday I'm getting my TT, some lipo around the hip-area (plus hernia repair). I am so excited I can't stand it. I do have a couple of questions I'd like to ask those who've had this done before. :biggrin: A couple I forgot to ask the PS. I'm sure each surgeon is different, but is the port something that is moved during PS? I'll have to try to remember to ask him on Monday. If they end up just leaving it where it is, is it something that I can get moved or replaced after the fact? I'm not concerned at all about scarring. I doubt i'll be wearing a bikini anytime soon. Next question - how long were you PHYSICALLY unable to get out of bed ( I …

36 hours to go, and I'm going insane. I'm still v-logging on youtube, and blogging on my blog, but as the moment I have really lost my mind, and it's really starting to show. This is like winning the lottery. I mean I'm finally going to be free of my belly flab. I want to again say thank you. I'm all emotional...

It's been 2.5 years since I had my lapband installed, and I can't be happier. The time has come to raise it to the next level. In three days I will no longer have a flabby belly, or muffin top. YAY! I'm posting my progress on youtube. Yes, I'm going for a full tummy tuck, muscle repair, and lipo on the flanks. So far I have 5 pre-op videos. This is going to be the ride of my life. I wish I would have done this with my lapband op. I couldn't have survived my lapband journey without this site, and all of your support. XXOOXX Cookielover

I had my lap band done in Mexico. I am in the route of trying to get my arms, extended tummy tuck and a boob job done. I am curious who had this done in Mexico and how much it cost you. What about recovery time? I am trying to get my insurance to pay for the tummy tuck so am waiting and should know soon. I know they wont pay for the arms and boob job. Thanks for any information you can give me. Shannon

So, after losing my weight and dealing with nasty rashed and infections in my c-section area, I am finally getting a TT. I think the PS will be doing some lipo around the hip area. He said something about the way I was shaped. Also repairing a hernia. THANK GOD TriCare will be covering the procedure. I'm so excited I could burst! PS wanted to do it as an outpatient, but I was able to get him to ok an overnight stay. I think my husband is going to get me a chaise/lounger that has the knee area raised so I won't be confined to my bedroom. I'm also so glad we decided to pay a little extra for the recliner-like bed. :thumbup: The doc says recovery time is between …

I am scheduled for a TT and AL in 2 weeks. The surgeon didn't mention it while I met with him, but should I have my band emptied prior to surgery, and if I don't did the swelling cause you to feel tight? Thanks so much in advance!

I went for my 3rd consults yesterday and I love the doctor. I still have one more consult to go to but out of all 3, I love her the most. She said I need 3 things done, arm lift, inner thigh lift (not the long scar but the scar around my panty) and exxtended tummy tuck. She said she can do all 3 procedures in 4 hours. The total cost will be $19,000. Her fees is about $12,000 and the rest is the surgical room and Anesthesia fees..this is an outpatient and not include hospital stay. She give me a one year for revision if something goes wrong within a year, i don't have to pay anything except if it is major and has to be done in a hospital operating room which I have …

nteractive video presentation on corset trunkplasty surgerytrunkplastyWLS patients may soon have more options for dealing with excess skin after weight loss."Body contouring surgery has evolved rapidly in recent years,? says Dr. Alexander Moya, Director of the Center for Weight Loss Body Contouring and Assistant Director of the Geisinger Center for Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery at Geisinger Medical Center (GMC), in Pennsylvania.Dr. Moya has developed a new procedure to help remove excess skin from the abdominal region. Known as corset trunkplasty, the procedure provides comprehensive contouring of the abdominal region and waistline and can accomplish in one surgery what…

I had a medial thigh lift 2 weeks ago and the scars wont heal and they keep opening up( specially on the T connection spot) from the stitches, I when back for stitching 2 time and they still wont heal and get separated and so the doctor deside to leave it like this and to put a healing bulshit sream and just cover it and leave it until it will heal alone,:bored: i am desperate. How is it better to treat them , keep them open to dry, and just put a cicatidrina cream or put on betadine and keep them close. should I wear the bandage and the corsage or not. My doctor left for a month of Easter holidays and i am here in bed afraid to make a move. Please help. Lena