I have just got back from Sydney to see my plastic surgeon. His name is Dr Tavakoli...He has featued on shows like BodyWorks and magazines like Marie Clare. I have been researching for months and months, emailing and speaking with several different surgeons. He first sat me down and talked with me about alot of things including that he will not touch me if I dont give up smoking. A little to give up for what I want though. He took me into a room and I had to get naked and he checked everything out. He said he will be able to really work with my boobs and that I dont need implants but I am a grade 3 with my sagginess...ewwww.

With my tummy tuck he is going to do an Extended Tummy tuck, one which is a little longer than the normal one so he can take the fat etc from the hips and lift the outside of my thighs a little. He said it will change my life and that when hes finished it will be flat and no saggy skin. He is going to lipo my flanks and back fat to countour my body nicely....oh I tell you I am in love. He is going to book me in for around end of March. I have to stay in hospital for 3 nights and in Sydney for another 4 nights incase anything goes wrong. The cost is huge ... it was nothing like I was expecting but I have no private health insurance so I am completely self pay. All up including hospital etc its going to be about $25 000...but what value can you put on how it will finally make me feel after having this tummy since I was 16 when I had my eldest, I really have known nothing other than a belly and boobs that sag badly. I am just so excited, I cant find the words.

Anyway, as for tummy tucks please think about who you go to...everyone to their own, but if you have to pay a little extra so its done properly I

would do that. Look around carefully, there are so many PS that you have a wide choice..... I have researched for so long and emailed

countless surgeons...Some just want your money and dont care about the

results...others are like artists, they look at our body and think how they

can sculpt it into something better. This Dr has big plans and it really

excited me hearing him talk about what he is going to do. I have another app in a month for a photo shoot as he put it lol...then its down to business. :cake:

Thanks everyone...As for the weight loss ..nothing was said about me losing more weight. He said I had done extremely well with what I had lost. I am only 9kgs form my surgeons goal and once he takes the skin off and you wouldnt believe how much skin there is...plus lipos it a bit he said I will probably be nearly at my goal anyway. So anythiung I lose after that is a bonus. Although, as long as you dont intend losing more than about 20kgs or so after your tuck the results should be ok, anymore than that I would try and lose some first so the results arent compromised.

As for what Kare said it is very true...I would swap my car, puter ...most things for this operation...only we can understand how difficult it is to live with the sagging skin...some are worse than others but I mean summers are the worst, I cant stand the rashes...so how much it costs entered my head...I mulled it around and called the bank

Nykee,

I just seen your post after I posted. You didnt offend. I am sorry you arent in the position to do surgery. For a lot of years I wasnt either. I could never see the day I could have any of what I had done happen....But the day came. I bet you never expected to have the lapband and the money to pay for it...well it happened.

I am sure one day will be your day!!! I was looking into extreme makeover...after you lose your weight give them a call, see if they could help you with the loose skin.

Hugs

Kelly Congrats on making the desicion to get your ps. I wish you nice perks and a flat tummy and a big raise in your self esteem when your all done. I'd be floating high myself!!! You have done so well you look great!!

Kel- I am soooooooooo jealous !!! My dream is to get rid of this sagging apron of skin I have due to 3 c-sections, 3 hernia surgeries and rapid weight loss. There is nothing more I want than to wear a normal pair of undies and not these tight tight tight control top panties to keep my belly from swinging ( I know, not pretty).

Here's how I look at things- I was fortunate enought to have insurance cover my band surgery. If I have to refinance my home to be NORMAL again, then I am so there. I am going to my doc Feb 14 to get a referral to a plastic surgeon. Hopefully, I can get a consult from there.

Please keep us updated on how things are going. I am interested in how things go for you and hopefully can join you someday ! Congrats on this next big step !

Kellie, I am so excited for you (not to mention green with jealousy)!! You're making me want to get my butt in gear. Keep us posted - I can't wait to see those after pictures!