I'm starting my plastics journey this week! Creating this thread as a place to gather my thoughts, and gather opinions as well.

My priorities

1&2 - Tummy & Boobs

3 - Thighs

4&5 - Butt & Arms

Specifics for each area

Tummy - low & thin scar, natural looking belly button, and lipo/conturing to narrow my waist as much as possible

Boobs - augmentation & lift, VERY important that my boobs look natural, thinking D cup with tear drop gummy bear implants

Thighs - do not want a full thigh lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift, or as part of a lower body lift

Butt - either a fat transfer (BBL) or buttock lift with a dermal fat flap as part of a lower body lift

Arms - do not want a full arm lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift

I reached out for consultations with 5 surgeons who specialize, or do a fair amount of surgeries on massive weight loss patients. I have #1 & #2 choices, and have consultations scheduled with both on Friday ? Interestingly neither of my top choices charge a consultation fee, but the three others do. I am seriously considering canceling my other consultations to see #1 & 2 first, before I invest up to $750 on consultation fees.

Anyone have opinions if I should just see #1 & #2 first, or is it worth the investment in consultation fees to have more surgeons quotes?

My #1 surgeon does lots of lower body lifts. I hadn't originally considered this because I'd rather not have the circumferential scar. But his results are amazing, and at least in the posted photos the scars are very thin. It may also be the only way I can get most of my wish list accomplished in one surgery. I have seen where he has done a lower body lift & a breast lift & augmentation in one surgery. That would only leave arms to tackle at some point later, if I still wanted them fixed.

Here's an example of the work of my #1 surgeon

Edited August 19, 20196 yr by sillykitty

8 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

Do any of you guys worry about having plastics out of state or the country or anywhere not local? What happens if you have complications or need follow-up? How do you handle that or how does your insurance handle it?

TIA!! Loving learning from you all! What a wealth of knowledge!

I was a bit concerned about that - esp going out of the country - in case local MD's refused to treat complications (I'm guessing most will probably treat them, but with my luck...). So I did go out of state (Illinois), but Chicago is only two hours from here, so it was do-able if I had any complications. Plus I've been able to go to all my follow-up appts, too (if I'd have gone to one of the coasts - or to Mexico - I probably would have only stayed two weeks so would only get a couple of follow-ups)

the other thing that I was a bit worried about - infections. If I had gone to a surgeon in the US - even if he/she was 1000 miles way - they could call a prescription for antibiotics into Walgreens or CVS, and I could pick it up here in town, since they're chains and on the same computer system. I don't think a doctor outside of the US could call in prescription to a US pharmacy, though - but I'm not sure about that.

anyway, I decided to just not take the risk. I wanted to go to someone who was within two or three hours from here, so I could get there easily if I needed to.

19 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Do any of you guys worry about having plastics out of state or the country or anywhere not local? What happens if you have complications or need follow-up? How do you handle that or how does your insurance handle it?

TIA!! Loving learning from you all! What a wealth of knowledge!

It is somewhat of a concern for me. But I'm also naturally an optimist, and have zero health issues, and never have.

Some surgeons offer this:

https://cosmetassure.com/for-the-patient/

(my lower priced quote did, ironically)

That would give me some peace of mind. I also have an ex who is an MD, so he would be able to help me as much as he can, at the minimum giving me advice & calling in prescriptions.

Going to MX worries me a lot more than going to a US based post bariatic surgery specialist.

Ok, so I'm starting some online, virtual, phone consults. It involves me taking naked selfies in my hotel room ?

This process has made me realize I'm more self conscience about my body than I fully realized. I had originally wished my bf could attend the consultations with me. Once I was there, naked, poked & prodded, I was glad he wasn't. Then for these photos I have to submit, it would be way easier for him to take the pics of me, rather than selfies. But I'm not comfortable with that. I know my bf finds me attractive as is. He sees some of my flaws, like boobs and stomach. But I know he doesn't notice my butt or thighs as much.

Protect BF from the light. Don't call attention to the areas he doesn't notice need "help". Glad you're doing this!!! I bet the doc doesn't think you're pics look bad!!!

The consults were interesting. Both surgeons were very nice and professional, but a bit unintentionally brutal.

*Pinching side boob area* ... "Does this bother you?"

*Prodding saggy knees* ... "Is this an area of concern?"

Ummm ... well not really, but now that you mention it

41 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

The consults were interesting. Both surgeons were very nice and professional, but a bit unintentionally brutal.

*Pinching side boob area* ... "Does this bother you?"

*Prodding saggy knees* ... "Is this an area of concern?"

Ummm ... well not really, but now that you mention it

I got used to that pretty quickly. These people deal with naked bodies a million times a week, so they probably don't realize that some people might take their comments as insensitive. I was at a teaching hospital, so in addition, i usually had half a dozen medical students in the exam room with me, staring at my naked body while the surgeon poked and prodded (although the first few times, the nurse asked me beforehand if i was ok with them being there. If I'd have said no, they wouldn't be..)

It has become evident to me that i need to focus on a mommy makeover. I can't even imagine 2 plastic surgeries...

On 8/28/2019 at 12:43 PM, FluffyChix said:

Do any of you guys worry about having plastics out of state or the country or anywhere not local? What happens if you have complications or need follow-up? How do you handle that or how does your insurance handle it?

TIA!! Loving learning from you all! What a wealth of knowledge!

This is why I am going with my local guy. I was referred to a "bariatric plastic surgeon" that is over two hours away. I am notorious for complications, including with former plastic surgery, and that makes me incredibly uncomfortable. (Aside from the fact he didn't return two of my calls to consult with him). When I had my breast reduction, I had a nipple graft and my nipple started FALLING OFF... and being 25 minutes from my surgeon I could get there immediately and it is great to have that convenience. Complications are considered medical, not cosmetic, and are covered by insurance.

5 hours ago, sillykitty said:

The consults were interesting. Both surgeons were very nice and professional, but a bit unintentionally brutal.

*Pinching side boob area* ... "Does this bother you?"

*Prodding saggy knees* ... "Is this an area of concern?"

Ummm ... well not really, but now that you mention it

When I went in for my totally unnecessary lipo, I just wanted my inner thighs done, but he took advantage of my low self-esteem and was pinching all these different areas and I left signed up for surgery on my inner/outer thighs, knees, stomach, hips, and arms. For those docs, it's all about the money.

2 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

When I had my breast reduction, I had a nipple graft and my nipple started FALLING OFF.

TF???????!!!!! ?

Just now, FluffyChix said:

TF???????!!!!! ?

Nipple grafts are very sensitive, lol. I was applying Neosporin to it and turned out I have an allergy to Neosporin. Started causing the skin to turn black and fall off.

Just now, mousecat88 said:

Nipple grafts are very sensitive, lol. I was applying Neosporin to it and turned out I have an allergy to Neosporin. Started causing the skin to turn black and fall off.

We really need a "shocked out of our minds" emoji for this....

OMG. I'm supposed to go in sometime next year to discuss fixing my capsular contractions and finally getting nips put on the barbie foobs...and now I'm like...crap, maybe tats WOULD work afterall?

Just now, FluffyChix said:

We really need a "shocked out of our minds" emoji for this....

OMG. I'm supposed to go in sometime next year to discuss fixing my capsular contractions and finally getting nips put on the barbie foobs...and now I'm like...crap, maybe tats WOULD work afterall?

LOL - don't worry. Mine was a reaction to the cream and the nipple was saved. That particular nip sticks out more than the other and has some darker pigmentation. Other than that, it looks fine.

Just now, mousecat88 said:

LOL - don't worry. Mine was a reaction to the cream and the nipple was saved. That particular nip sticks out more than the other and has some darker pigmentation. Other than that, it looks fine.

I'm scared to ask where the graft came from...my PS and I have a strict "no who-ha" zone pact between us.

4 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I'm scared to ask where the graft came from...my PS and I have a strict "no who-ha" zone pact between us.

The graft was my own nipple. I had "super gigantomastia" and it required a full nipple graft in order to remove enough breast tissue and relocate the nipples to the proper place. They were at my belly button essentially. The vast majority of breast reduction do not require the severing of the nipple. They leave it attached and remove the breast tissue and then sew it back in place... they couldn't do that with mine because the "distance" was too far and the tissue to be removed was too much. So, they cut my nips off and put them on a little sponge while they do the rest of the job and then stitch them on in the proper place at the end. They removed about 8lbs of boob.

Edited August 29, 20196 yr by mousecat88