So I've been researching cosmetic surgery for about 3 years. I started when I was closer to my goal weight with the lapband. I think I was about 220 lbs at the time. The first surgeon I met wanted me to be closer to 200 lbs and at a stable weight for approximately 3 months before proceeding with a tummy tuck. After I had our 2 children and breast fed each for about 10 months, I started researching a breast lift. I have a friend who had a tummy tuck and she didn't get her breasts done, even though the dr. recommended it. She is maybe a size 6 or 8 naturally and has a great body without surgery IMO. She had the tummy tuck and now regrets not having her breasts done. So I started researching a lift.

I've met with 4 surgeons, 3 here in California and 1 in Tijuana. One is a plastic surgeon who specializes and works mainly with WLS patients. One is strictly a body man and does mostly tummy tucks and arms and one is more of a breast doctor. The doctor in Tijuana (Cosmed) also does tummy tucks and arms - I'm not sure how his breasts lift are because I didn't research him for that.

The WLS plastic surgeon thinks if I get below 200 then I can get at least the tummy tuck paid for by my insurance. We'd try to get the arms covered as well, but that will be a challenge as most insurances don't pay for it.

The prices I was quoted:

Tijuana - Arms about 2K, Tummy Tuck about 3K

Newport Bch - Breast lift - 11K (yeah right!)

Newport Bch - Tummy Tuck - 11K (again - yeah right!)

Newport Bch - Arms - 10K

The other dr. in Newport - Tummy tuck was about 8K, Arms about 7K

WLS plastic surgeon - TT - covered by insurance (hopefully) Arms - if not covered then 7K

My main concern with my body is my arms. I am a teacher and when I write on the board I can just feel them swinging around - bleck! It's sooo nasty! I have a genetic predisposition to batwings anyway because my mom had them really badly too. So arms are my priority. I am going to try to lose another 20 pounds or so before I have another consult with the WLS plastic surgeon because I haven't seen him in about 3 years.

I'll let everyone know how that goes and what we can or can't get covered by insurance.

Also, pretty much all the doctors told me that if I do a TT and arms, then they should NOT be done together. The TT is a big surgery and I would need my arms to help me get out of bed so I can either do TT and breast lift or arms and breast lift or do all 3 separately.

Great info, thanks for sharing and posting!

Would the reason for insurance covering the TT be because of excess skin rubbing? I have heard that if you can get your doctor to document irritation and rubbing (in whatever region your problem area is) that sometimes insurance will pay for cosmetic surgery.

Yes. Rashes plus I've had two c sections and gained and lost 110 lbs.