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Steph, I have a great, suppotive husband, also. I love him more than when I married him 37 1/2 years ago. He's great! It's always nice to hear hear from others who feel the same about their DH. I don't know how to post photos. I'm not very good at this computer thing. Cheryl

Steph, I'm 5'4" tall. Yesterday was a hard day. My stomach felt so tight. I really haven't had much swelling. I've left my compression garment on 24 hours/day until last night. I slept without it. I only have two more days until I wear it only during the day. I may go back to work next Monday (18 days out). I saw th doctor on Monday. He said things are healing very well. The belly button still has a little redness to it. I won't see him again until my 3-week followup. It's getting closer for you. Cheryl

Julie, Congratulations on your surgery date. I had a TT plus lipo on the 27th of March. I remember how excited I was before the surgery. Good luck. Cheryl

Julie, My surgeon supplied the compression garment, foam padding, and binder. I needed the foam and binder for 1 week. The compression garment is to be worn 23 hours a day for 2 weeks. Then, just during the day. Cheryl

Hi Fran, I weighed 115 lb. (no clothing)the day of surgery. The day after surgery I weighed 128 lb (some clothing). I now am back down to 115 lb (with some clothing). So, I'd say I'm probably down a pound or two since surgery. I had expected to be down more. I didn't have drains and am a bit swollen still. I think will be a while before I see the 'real' results. I am 1 day behind you, so we should compare how we are doing, feeling, etc. Did you have the full tummy tuck or the panneculectomy? Cheryl

Steph, I went in to surgery at 115 (undressed), after surgery was 128.8 (fully dressed), and I'm now 115.2 fully dressed (9 days out). That's a real lose of at least 3 pounds, already. Cool!! The doctor only took off about 2-3 lbs of skin and another 2 lbs of lipo. They showed me pictures of the skin. weird!! You don't have long to go. Good luck. Cheryl

Steph, I will be going back to work either the week of April 14th or 21st. I work at school only 4 hours a day. I test students, so not a strenuous job. Cheryl

Carlitaaz, Thanks for the well wishes. I am 56, so not exactly a chick. I am very pleased with my TT. It sounds like you are happy you had one, also. It's so nice to see a nice flat tummy. It's been a long time. I've had 2 c-sections, hysterectomy, appendectomy, and my gallbladder out. My stomach looked pretty well worn. It now looks new. The flatlands is a good name for it, huh?

Steph, I had my surgery 1 week ago today. Everything has gone great. Day 5 was a bit dicey, only because of the constipation. Just remember to take a laxative of some kind starting the day after surgery. I didn't have any drains so never had that to deal with. My new belly button is kind of cute. I get to stop using the foam and binder starting today. I will still use the compression garment for the next month. I don't have much swelling. Thanks for asking.

Steph, You are very blessed to have it all covered! I didn't know that insurance covered anything but the pannus removal. Congatulations!! I, honestly, am just glad to have it behind me. I didn't like all the waiting. Keep us posted on your journey. I'm enjoying the posts on your journey to the flatlands.

Mer, I'm a few days further along then you. I had my TT on March 27th. Can I warn you about one thing? Take a laxative for the next few days. I didn't listen and ended up constipated on day 5. It was the pits. Other than the constipation alert, things have gotten better by the day. Today starts day 8 for me. Not much swelling, no drains, and feeling more alert. No meds since day 5. You will do fine. Congratulations!!!!

Question for Kat and Steph. I was approved by insurance for a panneculectomy (sp). I had to pay extra to get the TT. Is your approval for a TT? If so, that's great!!! If not, the insurance only pays for the portion of the surgery (and hospital) having to do with the panneculectomy. My original PS was going to stop and start a stopwatch to time the difference for the hospital's part. The extra hospital costs alone would have been $2,400. Then there would be extra for the anesthesiologist's (sp) part. I think that was $750/hr beyond the time taken for the panneculectomy. I ended up going to another PS who has his own surgical center. So, the hospital part wasn't a problem. I paid $7,000 and will see what I get back from the insurance co. The insurance company (Regence Blue Shield) told me that the maximum to the doctor would be $1,500. This is long and rambling, I know. But, I'm curious if your insurance company's are paying for the whole thing. That is, are they paying for the whole tummy tuck, lipo, muscle, new belly button, etc.? Or, just to have the pannus removed?

I had my TT done 6 days ago. I have had a pretty easy time of it, except for the constipation. That was horrible!!! I'm pretty much over that and feeling good again. I had the TT with lipo to tummy and flanks. I had it done with an epideral rather than general. That was nice. No after effects. I went home within an hour of surgery. No drains. Just a compression garment and a foam pad and binder. I slept most of the first 3 days. I went in to the PS on Monday for a follow-up. There was no swelling, just a some bruising due to the lipo. He was a little concerned about the gallbadder scar, but thinks it will heal fine. The belly button may not do as well. He said that it looks a little dusky. He said that it won't be a big problem because the belly button is made up of scar tissue anyway. He will see me next Monday to see how it looks. I'm thinking that the skin is a little saggy. Not bad, just a bit. The doctor said that it couldn't be pulled any tighter. Why??? Anyway, that's my only complaint. I am looking forward to the foam pad and binder being gone after tomorrow. They are a bit confining. Which day was the worst for all of you. Mine was definately the 5th day. Cheryl

Fran, I had my TT with lip to tummy, waist, back and thigh one day after you (Thurday, March 27th). I feel very good. Did you have muscle repair? I didn't. No drains, either. I sure am flat. I see the doctor tomorrow. Cheryl

Thanks, Sue and Dawn. I especially appreciate the prayer. I will be having my surgery done by Dr. Mangubat. One of the assistants is a bariatrics surgeon. He is now a 'fellow' in the reconstructive/cosmetic surgery field. I found him by searching the internet. I had two other consultations. One was with a very nice doctor, but she wanted to charge me over $10,000 for a 'modified' tummy tuck. That didn't count the cost for hospital of another over $2500.00. That was after the payment that she would get from my insurance co for a panneculectomy. That was just too much. On top of that, they never returned phone calls and I had to wait too long at my appointments. I actually had a surgery date. I was working with her from January. I am anxious to see what comes of this. I go in today to get a slight unfill. I think that will make the surgery a little more comfortable. I will keep you informed on how things go. I am going in at 11:00 tomorrow morning, surgery at 11:30. I expect it to take around 4 hours. I will have the TT, lipo to the waist, tummy and hips. He doesn't think I will need a muscle repair. He's concerned about my large gallbadder scar and how it will heal. Have to see about the blood circulation in that area. I will trust God that all will go well. I will not be spending the night-- and-- NO DRAINS. That is one of the best parts. He says I should be able to return to work in about 10 days-2 weeks. Although, I plan to stay out for 3 weeks. Sorry this is so long. Cheryl

Hello All, I have been watching you all go through your tummy tuck adventures. Now it's time for me to start on my own. I will be having a tt with tumescent liposuction to the abdomen, waist, and hips this Thursday morning at 11:30. I can't believe it! Only 2 more days. I have to admit to being a little nervous, but very excited at the same time. I will be having the surgery in a surgical center and going home the same day. That's a little scarey to me! My husband will be with me for the first 5-6 days. He's wonderful and will be a big help. I would appreciate any advice, info, or aftercare tips any of you oldies could give me. Thanks in advance. Cheryl

Hi everyone. My name is Cheryl and I live in the Kent area. I was banded 2 years ago by Dr. Oh, like so many of you. I have lost a total of 87 lbs and have been at 114 lbs for the past several months. I will be having a Tummy Tuck with lipo done this Thursday morning. I am very excited, but a bit nervous :biggrin:, also. Have any of you had a TT done? I know Merrillee (I hope I spelled that right) will be having one on April 1st. Cheryl

I will be having my TT with lipo on Thursday morning. Can tell you more after that. Cheryl

Good Morning. Has anyone had their TT and Lipo (waist and hips) done in a day surgery clinic and gone home the same day? How was it? How about spinal instead of general anesthesia? Cheryl

What's the difference between tunescent liposuction and regular lipo? Cheryl

Sharon, Thank you for your reply. I'm wondering about the cost. Should it be so much to upgrade from a panniculectomy to a TT? By the way, I'm 56 years old and don't want a model's body, but I would like my tummy area flatter. A panniculectomy doesn't do the muscles. After 2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, etc. I think I need muscle repair. It just seems that the quote from my PS is the same as those without insurance. I know that I will pay what I have to in the end. I want to make sure I'm getting a 'fair' deal.

Hi everyone. I've been following all of you through your TT surgeries. What an inspiration!! Now I need some advice. After watching LBT-Cosmetic Surgery, I know this is the place to go for help and answers. I feel like I know you all. So, here goes. I was approved for a panniculectomy last week. I went to see my PS yesterday. She said that her fees would still be $7,400 for a full tummy tuck, $9,400 for it to go around a bit in the back, so as not to have 'dog ears', and $11,900 to have the whole 180 degree lower body lift. On top of that, I would have to pay for part of the surgical room costs (she would be starting/stopping a clock during surgery). I have no idea how much that might be, but would figure at least $1,000-$2,000. I thought insurance should pay for more. She said that if I only have the front done, she could do it in her surgical suite (with local), and I could go home the same day. The insurance is paying 100% of the hospital stay, and I don't want to be awake. It seems like most of you paid about this for your surgeries----self pay---no insurance. I live in Western Washington. My surgery date is set for April the 18th, but she said that she could get me in much quicker, like in the next two weeks. They are calling today with some dates. What should I do? Oh yeah, I'm 5'4" tall and weigh 115-116lbs. I've lost 85 lbs in the last 2 years. I was banded on 3/30/06,(self paid banding). I need advice, please.

Julie, I found out last week that my insurance will cover the pannectomy (sp). I went to see my PS today (she's the one who submitted to my insurance co.). I was very disappointed. The pannectomy will cost me nothing. But, if I want the muscles tightened and the upper abdomen done it will cost an additional $7400. To have the incision go around a bit in back so as not to have any dog ears, It will cost an additional $9,200. To have the 180 degree lower body lift will be an additional $11,900. These prices would include hospital and everything. That seems awfully high if my insurance is paying for all hospital costs. I live in the Seattle, Wa. area. I am having to think hard about which surgery to have. Cheryl

Merrillee, I had lap band by Dr. Oh in March of 2006. I just got my insurance approval for a TT. I am scheduled for April 18th. I will be just behind you. I started out at 200 lbs and am now 115 lbs. Does your TT doctor do the drain thing? Are you having the mini TT, or the full TT? How did Dr. Oh take it when you told him you were going with someone else? Has your TT doctor worked on people edband? Do you know when the St. Francis support group meets? Thank you. Cheryl

Kat, I just got approval from my insurance company on Friday. I'm so excited! I see the PS on Thursday and should get my surgery date at that time. I had the lap band surgery on 3/31/06 and have lost 85 lbs. I now weight 115. I will get the extended TT (although my PS would like to see me get the lower body lift. My back isn't bad, but my bottom is horrid. Keep us informed on your insurance status. That was the hardest part, the wait for approval. Cheryl