Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

2,848 topics in this forum

I went for my cosmetic surgery consult this month. What he is wanting to do is a 360 body lift. Anyone had one? The clinic is in TJ Mexico. I had my band place in MX so I'm not worried about going to mexico. I have a lot of skin and my ins will not help. thanks Nancy

I was wondering has anyone gone back to mexico for plastic surgery? Many people went to mexico for the band what about afterwards for cosmetic surgery ..If yes what doctors thanks....

I was recently banded, which I am very happy about! If anyone has any hints, ideas, things they did to help hide the skin and tummy apron PLEASE let me know. I'm open to anything!!! A brief history if you're interested: We have 2 beautiful dd's. My first birth was an emergency c-section that resulted in a large apron of skin, sort of deformed tummy because it was done so fast. I lost all the weight but my tummy looked awful-like an alien. However I didn't look "pregnant" after the weight loss it was more just jiggly loose skin. After baby #2 I initially started to loose my baby weight and the skin and apron was even more stretched out. People began to ask me if I wa…

my sister has mild acne scars, she is 53 going through a mid life crisis and considering Microdermabrasion or a skin peel. She has'nt got loads of money to throw around and over here in the UK peels are very expensive although microderm is more affordable. Has anybody had either of these procedures and if so were you pleased with the results. Thanks Gaynor

I'm about 225 and have not been banded yet. I obviously need to lose 75-100lbs to be the "ideal" weight. Is it just me, or are others afraid of getting saggy skin? :thumbup: I know there's always plastic surgery, but I don't think I can afford that. And I know that it's healthier to be thin with skin, but I can't help thinking about it. Anyone know how much one has to lose to get that saggy skin? :crying: What exercises tighten the skin? Anyone lose that much weight and not have saggy skin?

Hi Ladies, I am scheduled for a reduction this Thurs. I will be seeing the PS on Wed. for markings, etc. Any advise would be greatly appreciated as far as what to expect recovery-wise. Do you have any regrets, issues, etc. that you wished you knew beforehand? Thanks in advance. This site is AWESOME! PS: BTW, I am down about 70 lbs. Daughter getting married in Oct. and have been waiting to shop for my mom-of-the-bride get up post-surgery. I'm hoping I can squeeze in a size 12/14 by Oct.

I'm not near needing a surgeon yet, but drooping skin has prompted me to start my research on which Dr. to choose. So, I was wondering if anyone has thier plastic surgery in the Sacramento Area? Did you self-pay? Did your insurance cover any of it? What procedures did you have done? How was the recovery...and goodness, all those millions of questions that go with it. How, what, when, where and how much? That's only a short essay right? *laughing at myself* I think I'm already nervous about having the surgery. Too many med shows scaring the hell out of me. I'd like to thank everyone in advance for any info. Thanks, panda.

I feel a little silly for asking this question and I know it will totally differ from person to person but I was hoping that some of you who have had a ps procedure done could tell me how much skin was removed in terms of weight? I am getting a lower body lift (all around the hips/butt too!) in September and am planning to get down to about 25 bmi before that (that means about 8 more lbs for me). I was wondering how much the loose skin on my lower body weighs and how much the surgeon usually removes? Knowing that your answers will be purely anectodal I would love to hear what some of you experienced. Thanks in advance!

If you lose weight at approximately 2-5 lbs per week with the lap band will your skin shrink along with the weight loss? I am worried about my arm and leg skin - I have 50 lbs to loose but hope that with exercise I won't have to have skin removed. Thanks.

I am a little further than half way to goal, and my lap band surgeon said that he wants to see me in 20 lbs and then I should have my consultation with a plastic surgeon. I was banded by dr. Spivak in Houston and he reccomends dr. Heller. I was wondering if anyone had used him, and any advice or anything they would like to share. Thank you!!

I am interested in getting my breasts augmented, but I am about 90ish lbs from goal. I had surgery Jan. 31, 2008 and have been steadily losing since. Right now I am down about 60lbs. Probably being a little anxious and premature, but I wanted to go in and consult a plastic surgeon already. I am curious if it would be wise to have this surgery so far before goal? I have heard DO get it done before you lose all your weight, but I have also heard, DO NOT so far before goal. Anyone with experience in this department?

Hey everyone, Just curious to see if anyone has had a tummy tuck and/or breast lift (mommy makeover) in Mexico? If so, how was it ?? the good the bad the ugly? What about cost? Do they pay for airfare and hotel?? Any and all info would be fantastic! Thanks!:tongue:

has anyone got a tummy tuck before they had kids? i'm 27 have not had any kids yet...i've had fertility problems so who knows if it will ever happen...i had the surgery to help my chances. anyway i can already tell that i'm deflating and am going to have all kinds of loose stomach hanging out...any advice...suggestions? anyone done it before they had kids?

What's the recovery time and time off of work required for a tummy tuck?

Yep, Tummy Tuck, here I come!!! I am on the schedule for May 20th---less than 2 weeks now. I am so excited it is truly hard to believe. The plan as it stands now, is for a Full Tummy Tuck, with mons lift, and minimal lipo. I am getting close to goal weight, and as we have followed through with appointments, I have continued to drop additional pounds, but my belly measurement does not change. He said he plans to do some muscle repair, as we know I have a torn muscle (mean a$$ ex husband) and also stretched muscles from pregnancies. I have BCBS of TX, and they approved it as a medical necessity. I have documentation of the muscle tear, as well as several skin br…

My husband asked me the other night when we were talking about the PS I would have done when I had lost enough weight. Do you still have feeling in your nipples when you have a Mastopexy? I didn't know the answer, so here I am asking the experts.

I called my insurance carrier this afternoon and they told me that I wasn't approved because it was considered cosmetic. I don't think I've been this disappointed in a long, long time. I feel like someone just took a dream away. One that I wanted more than words can say. I pity the poor person that they would deem a medical necessity since I've lost nearly 300 pounds and was told by two doctors that I had 20-30 of skin that should be removed. What the heck does it take to be considered a medical necessity???? I'm still shell shocked because the plastic surgeon that I met with said he hadn't seen anyone that needed the surgery like I do. My question is this....has a…

Hey all! My surgeon told me what I have to say to him in Apts. to get my breast lift and excess belly skin removal covered by insurance. If both of those are covered, but I wanted to add in a tummy tuck and a breast augmentation, does anyone know about how much that would be out-of-pocket????

I feel like a dummy asking this, but I have to know! When you get your tummy done, do they take off the skin with stretch marks? Everyone's after pics seem unbelievably smooth, and I didn't know if maybe they didn't have stretch marks there to begin with?!

Hi everyone. I've been lurking on this board for almost a year now. I got my lap band last August and am about 10 pounds from goal. Now I am seriously considering a tummy tuck and would like some advice. I have been in contact with a Dr. in Peurto Vallarta and was wondering if anyone else has gone to Mexico to have this done? I got my lap band in Mexicali and it was a great experience. I can't afford to have this done in the US. Any insights would be appreciated. Kristi

Hi all, Well, the scale started moving for me again since I decided to finish up and get my plastic surgery and be DONE with this journey :thumbup: I'm looking to get PS in December and wanted to have my doc picked in a month or two so it's set, and I have a goal to work towards. I've met with three PSes in the Philly area and am not sure if my expectations are out of whack. One guy I liked; he had good before/after of bypass patients, he does a lot of breast lifts/augs and his pictures are beautiful... and although he says he has worked on lap band, he worried me when he made a comment about needing to be careful about not pulling down on my abdomen too much and…

does one typically lose during a TT? Just curious...:smile2:

I am 6 weeks tt post op. My doctor didn't remove enough fat on my abdomen so I will be going in for a tt revision in 6 months. It will be lippo only. He is concerned about my port. Did anyone else have these concerns. What was the work around?

:thumbup:) I can not wait until I am at goal to have PS, so I decided to have a little fun in Photoshop. I am actually courious how my breast will look when I am around 150lbs, so that is what motivated me to do my own PS. I think I will have pleanty of room for the surgeon to do a lift and still have ample amount left over to be full. :thumbup: I know the "back side" picture looks a little "yoked" LOL but my bumm doesn't look half bad...if only it did look like that.:thumbup:

Let the journey begin. I met with the best Board Certified PS today. I can't believe he came in $4k less for a BA and lift. He also teaches at Stanford. I have some great news about the thigh lift. He said he will not have to cut me from the top of the thigh to my knee. Rather he can cut at the top of the thigh across and lift me that way. I was quite surprised. I hope they turn out okay doing it that way! So here I go for an Extended Tummy Tuck and thigh lift on 4/21. I am taking 2 weeks off of work. Wish me luck.

I am looking into having a tt and breast lift. I have a consult with Dr. Forrest Wall in July. Just wondering if anyone has ever used him. I am curious about the cost to see if Costmetic Surgery is even an option. It was about all I could do to get the 13,000 dollars for the lapband. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

There was a really well written post about the procedure to submit paperwork to your insurance company successfully for a TT, I cannot find the thread, is anyone familiar? -A

Hi, I have a question for you LARGE BREASTED ones out there... I mean LARGE that have had or considered PS for your breast. Currently I am a 34J(US)/34GG(UK) - I used to be a 48I :eek: I have never minded my breast being large, and never desired a reduction, only lift and firmenss, so I would like to hear about any one in my size range who had a breast lift w/ implants to keep your size around DD/DDD or larger. How do you feel about your size - do you wish you would have kept them larger but lifted or are you pleased w/the size? Is there anyone who had a reduction and now you have regreats that they appear too small to you? I know when I get to goal I want to…

I am scheduled for breast reduction 6/26. I can't wait. I am just curious as I find myself checking out cute tops in the stores wondering if I will be able to wear them? I was in 2 to 3x prior to weight loss. I am now probably in a 1X. Did anyone go down a few top sizes post-surgery?

:faint: I am interested in removing the skin and also having some body contouring done. Body contouring will include liposuction, tummy tuck, removing the 'apron', butt implants and breast lift. I have heard that cosmetic surgery is common place in Brazil and I am intersted in going there for the procedures. My greatest desire is to come back with the physique that so many Brazilian woman adorn. Does anybody know of a Brazilian facility & doctor that has a good following in the states? I'd also like to use the time to try to recover from the procedures. I saw an ad for Cosmetic Vacations but I don't really know anything about them. gjRay 230/202/145 May 2006 (ban…

Hi, I am a 26 year old who is in the process of getting approved for lap band. My mother struggled with her weight her whole life and finally had RNY gastric bypass, lost a lot of weight, and had to have plastic surgery to remove the extra skin and stuff. My questions are: 1) how common is this for people who have the band instead of bypass? and 2) if you have the surgery when you are younger, does your skin recover better. I guess I'm really trying to get at whether or not I'll need plastic surgery if I go ahead with this. Thanks everyone!!:thumbup:

Hi all I am very curious to know if I am alone in this belly button problem or has anyone else ever had this happen? I tore, ripped and just plain messed up my belly button 3 weeks out now from my tummy tuck. Anyone else every do this? I am waiting anxiously from a call from the Dr but I am nervous as hell. What causes this and what do they do? It looks horrid!

I'm just curious how long you will be in surgery or were in surgery if you've already had plastic surgery. I'm having a lower body lift and a medial thigh lift with two surgeons working on me and they anticipate it taking about 6 hours.

I'm sooooooo excited! I called the insurance co this morning and they said I was approved! Yippee! So then I called the doctors office - I'm really trying to push everyone along so I can get it all done before April 1st - the dr's office said they had me in their pile to set up the surgery date and they would be calling me with a date. I said I hate to be pushy but... and I also know its really crazy to think they can get to me so soon but she said it all depends on the hospital schedule. Actually I am very hopeful because the hospital I'm having it done at is a small hospital and its very possible they'll be able to get me right in. Pray for me!

Hi all! Just curious as to when I should make an appointment and begin the process. Of course I am hoping I can convince my insurance to pay. I had surgery 6 months ago and have lost 50+ lbs. now. Still have a little more to go.... but boobs and tummy are already dropped and loose!! When is a good time to get started with this process??? Thanks in advance for your posts!:thumbdown:

I was just curious when everyone made their initial consult...I have about 35 pound more to go. I am wanting a tummy tuck and a breast lift. Did you wait until you were at goal? I am also going to try to get insurance to pay, but we will see! Thanks Brandy

Im thinking about gettin PS next yr after I finish loosing my weight. If you have been to anyone in Va and selfpay please let me know. Im looking into a TT mainly. Thanks

Hi everyone! Congratulations to all of you who have successfully completed your PS journey. I am an avid reader of all of your threads, and the information and pics you have so generously shared have helped to take a lot of the fear and uncertainty out of this whole process for me -- thanks so much to all of you!!!! I will be starting my PS journey soon, (hopefully in early June) and will post more details in this section once I have them all worked out, but I had a quick question for you in the meantime -- did your Dr. require you to be unfilled prior to surgery? Since I still have some more weight to lose and because (as we all know) it is often tough and…

Has anyone had breast lifted,no silican or saline put in, I dont like the idea that puting saline or silican in you will need to replace in 15 to 20 years, I had a friend whos ruptured,one did and looked mightly strange.

My PS is sending me for nutritional testing and I was just wondering if anyone else had this? My lap-band doc has NEVER had me have nutritional testing. Is this odd? I eat pretty healthy and take my vitamins regularly so I am not overly worried, but the battery of tests she is having me take makes my pocket book worry a bit. I am pretty certain I am going to have upwards of 1000$ in lab work/EKG and my insurance WILL NOT cover it! (GULP!):thumbup::):cool2:

Dr Lo, I'm counting down the days till January when my surgery is scheduled with you for my perky new chest (among other things!). You are also doing lipo on my neck and I'm wondering if my skin is too loose, can you just tighten it up during the surgery, and how much more downtime/PAIN is that going to involve? Where would the scars/incisions be? Also, how much more Operating Room time would that add? Side note, I have several of the girls I work with making appts at your office for various issues. After I told everyone how wonderful you were during my consult they all want to come in and see you!!

When I was 367 pounds, I carried most of the fat in my belly and legs, so you can imagine how flabby my legs were after losing about 150 pounds. I could grab big handfuls of loose skin on my thighs, they always slapped/rubbed together when I walked, and I worried about odors...I'm sure many of you can relate. Fortunately, I found a great plastic surgeon who was willing to do a thigh and calf lift on me (my calves were also hugely out of proportion, albeit not as flabby as my thighs). At the surgeon's advice, I FIRST had liposuction done on my legs last June. No skin was removed in this procedure. It was just meant to help loosen up the skin (especially on the calves)…

I went for my initial consultation today for a tummy tuck. Now the long battle and wait begins. I'm going to do my best to get insurance to pay for this. The ps felt that I should have a chance since I have so much trouble with rashes and back pain. Fortunately for me my rash was horrible today and the ps took lots of pictures. The ps also instructed his office staff to flag my file and push it through as fast as possible. I want to try and have this done by the end of June, if possible, since I work with the school system and will be off work. I want to thank everyone who has been posting about their journeys, it really helped prepare me for the consultation. I w…

I think that there are several of us who are planning to endure the binder during the hottest months of the year. I think for us PS is not going to stand for Plastic Surgery, but rather for Profuse Sweating! I found that the Feb/Mar and April/May threads were very helpful to someone like me that wanted information from a variety of people without jumping all over. I will probably have my own thread as I get closer, but if you are having your PS this summer come join us!

Hi Everyone! I finally have my dates worked out for my PS (and as it turns out) GYN surgery as well. I will be having a Tummy tuck, breast lift with augmentation (using silicone implants), and a myomectomy on June 13 in Miami. I know, it's a lot of surgery -- isn't it????? I would've liked to have done just the PS by itself, but I have a very large fibroid tumor that needs to be removed. There has been lots of drama regarding this (which I detailed in another thread in the August 2007 bandsters section) because most Dr.'s prefer to do a hysterectomy in cases like mine, but I just felt that I didn't want to go this route. So I will be having an open myomecto…

I just found my insurance will pay for this IF I can prove I need it medically. Has anyone ever had this paid for and how did you prove you needed it? They are paying for my tummy but I do get rashes. The skin for the arm lift is a huge amount but I dont get rashes....HELP ME....I really dont have the 4500 it will cost out of pocket if they wont pay... Looking for suggestions

Hey there people, I have been wondering if I should get my stomach flattened before I try for another child or after? I still haven't had the Lap-Band yet but I know this is what I will have to have done regardless. The main reason I am asking is because I HAVE to have a breast reduction on my large breasts for medical reasons also as well as for personal reasons. I plan on doing my breasts and the tummy tuck if that is what i choose to get at the same time. Any thoughts on this and all answers are welcomed!! Hope to get my Lap-band soon also!!! My first seminar is next week!!:cursing:

Hi, just wondering if anyone is in either the bartender/waitress industry and had a tummy tuck? How long did it take you to feel good enough to go back to work?

I was finally approved and want to make sure the ps is a good one. How do I research this?

I'm about the head out for my visit with a plastic surgeon to see about getting a pannicolectomy. Hopefully my insurance will cover most of it and I just hope and pray that everything will go well. I can't even imagine how much better I'd feel not to metion looking better. If all goes well and I get to have my surgery, I'll probably asking a million questions of people that have had it done!