Cherishthepast

My insurance paid for my TT w/MR. DON'T give up, I went to 5 different consults and the only doc that was willing to submit the paperwork was the first person I saw and the surgeon my LB doc recommended. I love my PS and am glad he was willing to take my insurance. Everyone else I saw said that insurance wouldn't cover the procedure - I assured them they did as I did lots of homework and spoke with the reps on a regular basis to make certain that I covered all bases. As a previous poster noted, most plastic surgeons don't want to take the reduced fees paid by the insurance and want you to pay in cash or finance the procedure through the many medical finance companies.

I went in today to talk with my PS regarding the look of my left side versus my right side - lower back. A little history, I had TT w/MR and Lipo in December; since then, the PS has given me additional lipo on my right side due to a dog ear, approximately a month after the lipo he took about 3 inches off the right side to remedy the problem. Well, 3 weeks later I called him and went in today to show him that my right side still isn't the same as my left. Yes, the dog ear is long gone; however, I seem to be a little fleshy (lack of a better word) on the right side still. I told him I'd pay for him to remedy this for me and he said don't worry, I'm not going to charge you - I see what you're referring to and I'll do some lipo and remove additional skin from the area. The area in question is actually more to my back than side - I have a type A personality and know that for most people this wouldn't be a problem but little things like this can drive me insane. I'm so happy that he doesn't think I'm crazy person - if he does he hides his thoughts well Anyway, I'm scheduled (6/22) to have what I know will be my last revision. Yippee!!!

Please wait... I had a number of consults when I started considering TT and breast augmentation and during that time (August 2010), I was told that I didn't need a lift. Well, I had the TT w/ MR (December 2010) as the insurance picked up the cost and I decided to wait for the breast once I saved enough funds. I just spoke with my PS about my breast again (9 months later) and now I need a lift due to additional fat loss. I'm glad I didn't do the augmentation with the TT now - the thought of droopy mellons versus my current tube sock look would have been very bad. I am close to my goal and plan to have the girls done this fall after I enjoy the wonders of summer - pool, pool, pool....

I waited 6 wks before returning to the gym and my cardio/boxing classes which includes LOTS of stomach crunches and situps. Even after 6 wks I took it slow - I was back up to speed after 2 wks of working my way back into things. Take it easy, you're body needs lots of time to heal.

I had to wait until the drains were removed - 6 days before showering. I'd strongly suggest contacting the doc. I also took the advise of others on the board and purchased baby wipes, I used these after using the restroom to freshen up. This coupled with sponge baths helped - then on day 7, the day after the drains were removed I couldn't get in the shower fast enough.

I never took a measurement. I woke up from surgery with a flat tummy and still wearing a size 10 jean. Note - The day of surgery I was in a size 10 jean; 4 months later, I'm in a size 6. There has been no change in my weight since surgery; however, the swelling is a lot less - still happens once in awhile and the incision is still somewhat sensitive.

I have thin crust once in a while, I MUST take my time and chew very well. Also, I'm usually done after 3/4 of a slice.

Try adding unflavored Protein to your soups. I use

Lately I've been making ginger lemonade or limeade. I boil diced ginger in 4 cups of water, strain it into a pitcher and sqeeze 4-5 lemons or limes sometime some of each then fill the pitcher with ice. I drink this with 2-3 packets of equal or splenda and find it very refreshing and a great way to get away from the crystal light and water madness. By the way, the pitcher usually last me a few days. Hope this helps.

Hi Mimi - I try hard, I recently lost my job and refuse to let this derail me. I know that there are better things ahead, I just need patience and definately need to keep myself busy so that I don't let myself get in a bad place. Boxing has been key to keeping me on track. I get up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:30 for my 6:00a class - can't say that I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed but I feel so much better once I'm in class - also the guy that sits at the front desk looks forward to me walking in the door as I greet him with "GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!!" - he said he really missed my greeting when I was out healing w/TT. I'm 49 and there are people in my class from their early 20's to late 60's, we all go at our own pace and the instructor pushes us as we wouldn't push ourselves - he now knows us enough to know what each is capable of. Check your local gym and see if they have something. We spend the first 1/2 hour doing various cardio, the last 1/2 hour we put on our gloves and start punching. By the way, it's a great way to rid yourself of stress. I've been doing this for 6 months now, I had to stop for 3 months while I healed from the TT, now that I'm back I tend to shy some with the ab workouts but that's just me being overly cautious. Oh, I never boxed a day in my life until I started this class - go for it!

a HUGE thanks to everyone. Wishing us all continued success.

Hi Jess55 - Thanks! I know exactly how you feel as I've been obese my entire adult life and am glad that it's behind me - for good. Continue on your forward progress. Thanks LapNYC. Congratulations on the size 6, I never thought this would happen and find myself looking at the tag of clothes in awe. Yes, the tummy tuck went fine, I went in Monday to get an adjustment - I had a dog ear on the right side. About a month ago the PS did some lipo on the area to correct it; however, it was still there (yet smaller) he had to remove it surgically in his office with a local. The incision was a breeze, those darn shots to numb the area was a different story. I go back next week, crossing my fingers that this did the trick. All in all I'm VERY happy with the results of the TT. Yes, I back to pre TT activities, boxing, general cardio and swimming. I'm taking this week off until the incision from the adjustment heals. Hey, what happens if we continue to drop sizes? I worry that I'll have trouble finding small clothes - going from one extreme to the other, though, much happier on the smaller of the extremes. Hi Shoegal - hang in there. Last year I found I continued to hit plateau after plateau; however, my sizes continued to go down. I was extremely frustrated as I gauged my success on pounds. Don't do that to yourself. I still feel fat and find myself looking at earlier pics to put things in perspective. Also, the more I exercise the less movement I see on the scale, I've been told by the doc repeatedly that muscle weighs more than fat - I think pounds are pounds. Anyway, don't get discouraged the one thing I wished I'd done was take my measurements; that way you'll see the inches go down even if the scale doesn't move. Sounds like you're doing great!! Keep in touch and let us know when you've reached your goal or if you need a little push now and then. I need a push on a regular basis and thanks to the trainers at the gym I'm getting it. Thanks! So very true; it took me a year to realize that numbers aren't everything. I still sometime lapse into that frame of mind and quickly remove myself from the scale

Last year this time I was down to 174 pounds and was between a size 12-14 depending on the jeans. I'm currently ranging between 157-160 pounds (a year later) and now find myself in a size 6 jeans - YIPPEE. I thought that I wanted to reach 145-150; however, I am happy were I am and don't want to get to the ideal weight the BMI chart states for normal weight (140). At the rate I'm going if I went as low as the BMI chart says I'd be a size 0. I exercise 4 days a week, spending 2-3 mornings boxing (1 hr each session) and swimming 2-3 evenings (45min each session). I've come to realize I'm losing inches as muscle is replacing the fat. Yes, I'm tossing the BMI stats and going with size and how I feel, which is GREAT. I have lots of energy and can out walk both my husband and 16 yr son. I sleep well now and take NO meds. I'm done fixating on pounds and that damn scale.

Yes, Mimi - your surgeon should repair them for you w/o it costing you any additional fees. I had mine repaired Monday (4/25) in the PS office under a local. Everything went smoothly and it appears that the right side now looks like the left - no more dog ear. I'll know for sure in a few days once the swelling goes down. Give the office a call and let them know.

Hi Xavier, Thanks! It actually looks better now, the PS said that in another 2-3 months I'll see the final results. Fortunately and unfortunately, I've not seen any of the costs - never received anything from the hospital, PS or insurance after the surgery. I absolutely love the PS and recommend him highly. I will be going back in another week to get a minor adjustment - I have what they call a "dog ear" on the right side (at the end of my incision). The doc did some lipo in his office a few weeks ago; however it's still there and he'll remove the excess skin under local in his office. Don't hesitate contacting me should you have any additional questions. I wish you continued success.

Hang in there, I know it's easier said than done. It so worth it to follow the dr's orders. Remember your body is healing and trying to digest foods early on isn't a good thing. When you're hungry drink a shake or whatever else is on the approved list of foods for the stage you're in. If all else fails, call you doc and ask for help - let them know that you're hungry, they'll provide you with some safe alternatives. When I was 2 weeks postop I wanted to kill for something solid, after being on liquids for 2 weeks preop I swear I was making sloshing (sp?) sounds when I walked and the gas was unbelievable; anyway, I called my doc and told him I was loosing my mind and asked if I could have a cream based Soup. He gave me the okay, I went out immediately and found something low in fat and sodium and was a happy girl. When the urge to deviate became crazy again, I called the docs office again and again and again - they became my life line. Bottom line, don't give in to the temptation to sneak something that you shouldn't have. Your doc and his staff are there to support you - please use them. Hang in there, it does get better.

Wonderful!!!!! You look amazing.

Thanks for letting me know. I was hoping that it would be a breeze, after the TT anything would be a breeze by comparison.

3 weeks ago I went in to the PS office to have lipo on my right side (at the end of the TT incision) due to dog ear. I went in today for my follow up and there's still some swelling and the dog ear is smaller but still there. Well the current game plan is to wait another 2 weeks allowing additional swelling to go down. If the area isn't as smooth and pretty as the left side, the PS will remove the skin in his office using a local - the area is approximately 2 1/2- 3" long. Note: it's barely visible but I'm striving for perfection - at least as far as the TT is concerned. With all this said, has anyone else had revisions made due to dog ear(s)? Yes, I'm still VERY happy with my TT and the results

Congratulations!!! Yes, it's still puffy down in the mons area. It's crazy but my husband thinks it's sexy - go figure. I told a friend recently I no longer have a V but a U in that area now. The PS told me before surgery that this was a possibility and that he would need to do lipo in the area to eliminate it. I recently had some lipo in the right side of my incision to get rid of dog ear and planned to discuss the mons area with the PS (this Tuesday 4/5) but I think it would break my DH heart if the puffy went away - not sure what I'll do. My biggest concern now are the girls. I want breast augmentation but want the same surgeon to do it; unfortunately, he works through a hospital and the cost ($13,000) is twice that of a PS that has a surgical suite in his office.

Hello! Here's my late response, wish I'd seen your post sooner - increase your Protein intake and DO everything the doc says. I was able to have my drains removed in 6 days following my TT w/ MR and have had no problems. I followed the Docs orders to the letter and also increased my protein intake before and after surgery which I believe aided in my healing.

70 pounds down when before pic was taken, the night before my Tummy Tuck w/ Muscle Repair. Night before TT w/ MR and 6 wks after surgery

Hello and congratulations on the insurance approval! My insurance also payed for my TT w/MR, the doc also gave me a little lipo as an extra bonus. You've received some excellent responses. I'll just respond based on my personal experience which will in many cases duplicate what others have said.

Thanks! The PS moved my port, however, it's not a low profile. Something tells me that if I continue to loose weight I'll need to revisit this in the future.