Spiceyfrog

Yes, because that is the type of Tummy Tuck I opted for (the incision was not related to the hernia). If it is too invasive for you, by all means you can just have the horizontal incision. I figured I was paying $11,000, I was opting for the best possible results and for me that included curves on my sides. My other thought aside from the cost, was I did not want to not be unsatisfied with the results and have to go through the pain and healing again.

I eat a Light Babybel nearly every day and 2% cottage cheese a couple times per week and do very well with both.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!
I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.
At this point, my Tummy Tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!
I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.
At this point, my Tummy Tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!
I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.
At this point, my Tummy Tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

Yes, because that is the type of Tummy Tuck I opted for (the incision was not related to the hernia). If it is too invasive for you, by all means you can just have the horizontal incision. I figured I was paying $11,000, I was opting for the best possible results and for me that included curves on my sides. My other thought aside from the cost, was I did not want to not be unsatisfied with the results and have to go through the pain and healing again.

I had a breast augmentation/lift and brachioplasty and I paid $11,100 out of pocket in Michigan.

Hello all,
I have learned a ton from everyone's reviews on this site, so am hoping I can do the same for something else. I had a T Tummy Tuck and full upper inner thigh lift along with a hernia repair on December 29th. The surgery was six hours and the doctor removed five pounds of skin. The surgery went great. The day after surgery my hemoglobin became low, which required a blood transfusion. For that reason, I stayed two nights in the hospital. I live nearly two hours from the hospital, but took medication just before leaving and do not remember much of the ride home.
A couple things that have been life savers for me are; I rented a reclining lift chair and purchased a toilet seat riser. The incisions from my thigh lift go around the back of my leg, under by butt cheek, which makes it very difficult to sit on ANYTHING, therefore I use the bathroom holding myself up on the handles on the seat riser. I purchased a shower chair but becuase I cannot sit have not used it and also purchase a walker, but have not needed that. I feel fortunate from what I have seen on other posts because I can walk standing perfectly straight. Don't get me wrong, it takes me a minute to get stretched out when I stand up, but not bad at all. I have stayed on top of medication, taking pain medication every fours hours, along with Vitamins, Iron, laxitive, etc. I had my first bowl movement today, not as bad as I expected, but I sure am glad it's over with.
I have five drains and was able to take my first shower yesterday, which was amazing! I have been recording the drain output three times a day and they are doing great. I have to call tomorrow to schedule my post-op appointment. They all take place on Saturdays, so I am planning to go down December 7th to have some of the drains removed. I am prepared to keep a couple, but based on the minimal drainage, it would be amazing if he removed them all.
My insurance paid for the hernia repair and most of the tummy tuck. My out of pocket expense was $11,300.
I am attaching a couple pictures for reference and would be happy to answer any questions I can.

@@Raymia
I am feeling pretty good. I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow, but I took one more week, in hopes of my groin incisions healing up some more. There is no possible way I could wear pants for 8 hours at this point. My tummy and inner thighs are looking great, just those darn groin incisions!

Dr. Vincent DiNick, in Ypsilanti, MI, he was fabulous!

My insurance paid for a complete Tummy Tuck, with the exception of the reconstruction of my belly button because that was not considered medically necessary, so I paid $2,200 for a belly button :-)

First off, I did not see dumping as a fear, but as a tool. I was actually disappointed when I didn't get it.
The first six month, I "felt like crap, had to use the bathroom, then vomited" every time (about six before I just quit) I would eat meat and I tried all different kinds. Everyone said this was not dumping because it was not related to sugar, but that is what I called it. After about the 6-7 month mark, I could pretty much eat all meats again, though I am still cautious.

Yes, because that is the type of Tummy Tuck I opted for (the incision was not related to the hernia). If it is too invasive for you, by all means you can just have the horizontal incision. I figured I was paying $11,000, I was opting for the best possible results and for me that included curves on my sides. My other thought aside from the cost, was I did not want to not be unsatisfied with the results and have to go through the pain and healing again.

I had my first surgery (brachioplasty and breast lift/augmentation) before I was at my goal. I had them done in December and hit my goal in March. My second (TT and thighs) will not be until December, simply so I can get them paid for by my insurance. I would do it tomorrow, if I did not have to deal with insurance companies.
There was a plastic surgeon, guest speaker at my support group meeting last night and he recommended being within 30 pounds of your goal. Each surgeon is different. I personally would book it and use it as an incentive to get that last 19 pounds off! Best of luck!

The most valuable items I had were a reclining lift chair, I rented it for two months, slept in it for about two weeks and still use it during the day just because i still have it. A toilet seat riser, I had incisions half way under each butt cheek and could not sit, with the seat riser you can hold yourself up w the handles. Lastly, a lanyard to hold your drains while in the shower, to free up your hands.
I like many other have been getting around 90 grams of Protein. If you are going to have groin incisions, plan on sitting around with your legs wide open for weeks. I had initially taken four weeks off work, I am now in my sixth, it such a dry moist area, they are just hard to get to heal.
Best of luck to you!

My incision was never infected. That was just a good decision for me personally. I "could" have gone back to work after four, but I was more comfortable with six. I am still wearing yoga pants for the flexibility because of the groin incisions not being 100% healed. Typical "work pants/polyester" don't have much give when sitting, etc., so I have played it safe. I am going to try on my work pants this weekend around the house and hopefully resume normal attire on Monday. Yoga pants are comfortable and all, but you start to feel frumpy after a while. My stomach incisions were never really sore. There was a pulling sensation, but never hurt. Now, don't get me wrong, they were and still are a little bit tender.

Yes, because that is the type of Tummy Tuck I opted for (the incision was not related to the hernia). If it is too invasive for you, by all means you can just have the horizontal incision. I figured I was paying $11,000, I was opting for the best possible results and for me that included curves on my sides. My other thought aside from the cost, was I did not want to not be unsatisfied with the results and have to go through the pain and healing again.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!
I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.
At this point, my Tummy Tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

My incision was never infected. That was just a good decision for me personally. I "could" have gone back to work after four, but I was more comfortable with six. I am still wearing yoga pants for the flexibility because of the groin incisions not being 100% healed. Typical "work pants/polyester" don't have much give when sitting, etc., so I have played it safe. I am going to try on my work pants this weekend around the house and hopefully resume normal attire on Monday. Yoga pants are comfortable and all, but you start to feel frumpy after a while. My stomach incisions were never really sore. There was a pulling sensation, but never hurt. Now, don't get me wrong, they were and still are a little bit tender.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!
I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.
At this point, my Tummy Tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

@@bikerchick519
The reason mine was covered was because I had lost 100 pounds after having bariatric surgery. It was the simplest process ever, no questions, no paperwork, no pictures, etc. They must have a great billing department :-)
An update in general - I had my two week postop appointment last Saturday and the doctor took out the last two drains. It is unbelievable how much easier it is to get around. I can walk faster because those dumb things are not pulling. I can take a shower faster because I don't have to wash around them and best of all, I have not had any swelling since he pulled them. I was only getting around 7.5ml from each drain, so I guess that's not surprising.
Doc said to continue wearing my abdominal garment until all of my scabbing is gone, then I can transfer to the full body (cannot wait....lol). He answered a few minor questions I had and wants to see me again in three weeks. I had planned on going back to work in two weeks, but looks like it will be three, which is okay.
I still cannot drive for another week, which again is okay because I do not physically feel like I should be driving, just don't think my response time would be appropriate. Other than that, I feel about 75% right now. My husband and I have gone to lunch/dinner a couple times and grocery shopping, so nothing serious but I felt good afterwards.
Hope everyone else is doing well!

That's exactly why I did it. I also have an aunt who had a tummy tuck and still has a muffin top - no thank you!

The incisions go around my back a couple inches, they do not meet. I am not positive as for the thigh lift. Pre-op, we had talked about if I just wanted the groin incision of the full inner upper thigh incision. I decided, for maximum results, I could live with the full upper length scar. The scar actually does not go all the way to my knee, so I am happy about that, you will never see it with Bermuda shorts on. As far is going around under my butt cheek, I did not expect that, so added bonus for me. It goes about half way across, under my butt cheek.

My insurance paid for a complete Tummy Tuck, with the exception of the reconstruction of my belly button because that was not considered medically necessary, so I paid $2,200 for a belly button :-)

The most valuable items I had were a reclining lift chair, I rented it for two months, slept in it for about two weeks and still use it during the day just because i still have it. A toilet seat riser, I had incisions half way under each butt cheek and could not sit, with the seat riser you can hold yourself up w the handles. Lastly, a lanyard to hold your drains while in the shower, to free up your hands.
I like many other have been getting around 90 grams of Protein. If you are going to have groin incisions, plan on sitting around with your legs wide open for weeks. I had initially taken four weeks off work, I am now in my sixth, it such a dry moist area, they are just hard to get to heal.
Best of luck to you!