Plastic Surgery Risk Realities

[Paulax 8]

I was speaking to a dear friend who I greatly admire and respect. She had gastric bypass 30 years ago, which included a TT to remove her skin. She scared me in a conversation yesterday about the risks of plastic surgery.

I told her I was interested in getting a TT next summer. She said that of all the plastic surgeries, that the TT was one of the most risky ones. She mentioned Kayne West's mom, who just recently died after PS. (reportedly a TT and BR) Now it may have been a previous heart problem, but still, it has me thinking.

I know many of you have had successful TT. I have had a successful breast reduction 3 years ago. I am now wondering about the risks in a TT.

Please put my mind to ease. I COULD live with my saggy skin and buy a tight girdle, but a TT would really put me in a beautiful place, both physically and emotionally.

Now, I am seriously wondering if I can just live with the skin. My dh thinks I am beautiful, he really doens't care. But I want my skin tightened.

JulieNYC, whose dad is a PS, please pipe in here. I need some stats.

[Mariposa Bella 3]

As with all surgeries anytime you go under you are subjecting yourself to things going wrong and many complications. And the tt does have some complications. Do your research and make sure you have a board certified plastic surgeon that can explain the procedure in details, complications, etc.

My tt was very successful and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I had body liposculpure at the same time and to be honest with you, that was painful.. I felt as if someone took me and beat me then ran me over. I would lay in bed in pain and think Oh God, what have I done to myself, but after time, and with the proper care, it is so worth it. I love my flat belly and my new belly button. I can see my you know what, before all I could see when I looked down was a blob of fat. The liposculpture was also worth it, it reduced fat deposits all over my body. I had my arms done, the bra fat overhang, the fatty part between your breast and arm pit, my waist, upper and lower back, my thighs, inner and outer and here and there and everywhere. Some of the fat that was taken was re-injected into my bottom to make it look rounder, that was an added bonus for someone with a flat tooch like me.

Good luck.

[jewel 0]

Mariposa,

How much did all your P.S. cost. The Lipo, TT, arms all done at the same time? Where did you have it done?

Jewel

[Paulax 8]

Pictures Meriposa Bella,

WE WANT PICTURESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Thanks for the positive report. I love hearing of PS success.

[Chickie 15]

A Tummy Tuck is going to be riskier than say the band... But the mortality rate is still lower than that of the gastric bypass.

And 30 years ago, surgical technique was very different than it is today, and anaesthetics were less sophisticated than they are now.

On Kayne West's mother... What I have caught without really paying attention to the story (so I could be wrong) there was apparently some heart condition involved, and she had gone to one surgeon who refused to do the surgery, then went to another surgeon (Jan Adams, I think?) had the surgery, than I think he said she had a heart attack?

My opinion (for what it's worth) is talk to a doctor. People on a message board can only reassure you so much. But if you talk to a surgeon about your medical history, and any risks that you may face, it will be a hell of a lot more reassuring than faceless strangers on a message board saying it will all be ok.

[Paulax 8]

My opinion (for what it's worth) is talk to a doctor. People on a message board can only reassure you so much. But if you talk to a surgeon about your medical history, and any risks that you may face, it will be a hell of a lot more reassuring than faceless strangers on a message board saying it will all be ok.

Absolutely, I have gone through numerous surgeries and come out walking. I'd have been a great guinea pig. I guess I am just curious as to the % of risks. AND I love seeing and hearing others' success.

Thanks my dear!

[Chickie 15]

Absolutely, I have gone through numerous surgeries and come out walking. I'd have been a great guinea pig. I guess I am just curious as to the % of risks. AND I love seeing and hearing others' success.

Thanks my dear!

Like I said, it was and is only my opinion.

But it is a fact that you will get the best answers on statistics from a health care professional, not a message board.

[Paulax 8]

Like I said, it was and is only my opinion.

But it is a fact that you will get the best answers on statistics from a health care professional, not a message board.

Again, I absolutely agree with your opinion and I would not base my decision on posts on a message board.

My purpose was to discuss the benefits and risks of a TT. I asked many questions on this very board before I got my band, or even spoke to my surgeon. Lots of valuable information and discussions came from those who went before me.

Cheers.

[TheGh0st 9]

OK Paulax - you asked for me to pipe in. To be honest I was so desperate to get the skin removed I didn't even want to know the risks before hand. I believe they are higher than the band surgery and my family fought me hard enough on that one so I didn't want to find any ammo for them this go round.

But since you asked I did find an interesting site.

Link to info on Tummy Tuck (also has a link to some pics):

Abdominoplasty

Link to info on avg doctor rates for various Plastic surgeries. But NOTE this does NOT include the facility or Anethesia fees which can nearly double some of these costs. Still this is VERY interesting wish I'd seen it before looking around.

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/Press_Kits/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=23422

Info about patients satisfaction with Plastic Surgery (Still doesn't give actual complication statistics but it is an interesting read)

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/statistics/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=23761

Here are a couple links about the stats I just found as well.

(This one is just an overview of a larger study but stiil lists some stats and might be a good jumping off point for digging further into google for the full report)

Abdominoplasty and abdominal contour surgery: a na...[Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result

(This one is lengthy with lots of stats but maybe a bit confusing.)

Tummy tuck complications

Finally here is a link suggesting the importance of using prophylactic antibiotics in abdominoplasty operations. My doctor did use antibiotics post-surgery. Didn't really ask why but I'm glad he did now.

Elsevier

Are you still glad you asked Paulax?

[Pacomomma 0]

My TT went great . minimal pain and discomfort. I went back to work in 2 weeks but this is only me and everyone is different. Thebest thing to do is to talk to your Primary,see who they reccomd as a PS .I did I spoke to other surgeons and asked if they have ever worked with my chosen PS. And Like in everything you do you need to research your doctor. look at pictures and ask questions. look on the internet and see if they ever had a suit against them . also word of mouth is the best reference. ask around . Please tell your friend that surgical practices have advanced in the past 30 years .

Again ASK AROUND and do your research.

[JulieNYC 4]

Paulax,

I just asked my Dad and he said the stats will show that a TT's mortality rates range from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 20,000 for a normal BMI patient who is otherwise healthy, depending on a couple of factors. The most significant one is whether it is combined with other procedures, in particular substantial liposuction, which increases the risks of TT. A plain TT in a healthy person would have a mortality risk of closer to 1 in 20,000. I guess those are odds I thought I could live with. Scary though -- I hear you.

[Paulax 8]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your helpful responses. Ghost, I am going to be spending the next few hours of every day pouring over the excellent links you provided.

Julie, thanks for your response. I can see that although it may be more risky than some, it is still worth my while. I went to Vancouver to see some dear friends of mine, girls weekend kind of thing, TWO of my former colleagues have had TTs. I am inspired and determined.

The last 10 pounds I lost really loosened up my abdomen area and my skin is now droopy over my belly button.

I am going to try to decide WHEN is a good time to heal and go for a consult this next summer.

Thanks all.

Hugs

Chickie, I loved the black cat looking at the Christmas ball, where did she/he go?