Tummy Tuck PS Consult - good and bad . . . - ThinnerTimes

fitbefore40 · 02-14-2007, 09:20 AM

Hey guys - I thought I'd let you know about the 1st consult on my TT and breast lift.

First the good - the PS told me that I really should lose anymore weight - yeah, that's always nice to hear - he said that my skin was in really good shape for someone that has lost over 100 pounds - The TT would be an anchor shape - and would tighten me around and get rid of my panni (which is by his estimate about 3 pounds of panni). My breasts still have enough tissue to be a full C small D . . . and he wouldn't do implants on them. The total cost for Dr and surgical center (including anesthesiology) would be $10,954.00 That breaks down to $4500 for the extended abdominoplasty (TT with the anchor cut), $3500 for the matoplexy (breast lift) and a $875 discount for multiple procedures. The facility and anesth fees are $3829.00. So this is under my estimate for the procedures. (oh - it's a 5.5 hour operation)

Now the BAD . . . He won't do the surgery until I get a release from my GBS dr . . . expected, but he also thinks I have a HERNIA!!!! And he doesn't use the same hospital as my GBS dr . . . so he would require me to have hernia surgery, recover, and then have PS!! Awww man!! Personally, I don't think I have a hernia - I think I have the same separated abs that I had when I was in labor with my first child. When I pushed, I had a huge bubble pop up every push . . . Here's to hoping. My followup with my GBS dr is after March 20th.

And one more good . . . if I have a hernia, my 2nd PS consultation dr DOES do surgery the same place my GBS dr does surgery. So, I might be able to get at least the TT and the hernia repair done at the same time . . . ARGHHHHH!

So, I look forward to next Thursday and surgeon #2!!

pambragg · 02-14-2007, 11:07 AM

Why can't he do the hernia repair while he is in there? When he was "in there" doing my paniculectomy he discovered my hernia and was able to bump me up to a full tummy tuck....on my insurances dime!!

Gina in NY · 02-14-2007, 04:04 PM

How could you have a hernia and not know it? Don't they hurt like heck??

And good for you on the good news, not needing to lose any more etc.!

fitbefore40 · 02-14-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

How could you have a hernia and not know it? Don't they hurt like heck??

And good for you on the good news, not needing to lose any more etc.!

I KNOW . . . I don't think I have a hernia . . . but I do have a split in my upper abs and a little bump in between them when I tighten them . . . I thought I'd hurt too.

I have to get the clearance letter from my GBS dr anyway. I can't wait until the next PS consult!!!

Blueyz · 02-14-2007, 08:01 PM

I had a huge ventral hernia and I could tell...it looked like an alien and kept getting bigger and bigger as if I was pregnant. The insurance covered the abdominoplasty, but I had to pay for the panni (skin removal). I was not allowed to have any breast work at the same time of the TT/hernia repair due to risk of infection...had no infections and several hernia revisions, etc.

No insurance coverage for the breasts..oh well. I found out later that I could have had insurance cover...long story.

Gina in NY · 02-15-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitbefore40

I KNOW . . . I don't think I have a hernia . . . but I do have a split in my upper abs and a little bump in between them when I tighten them . . . I thought I'd hurt too.

I have to get the clearance letter from my GBS dr anyway. I can't wait until the next PS consult!!!

Maybe I need to make sure my GBP surgeon is in the hospital the day of my PS, ready with the bio-compatible mesh that he uses. I'd hate for them to open me up and then see something...Oh well. What are you gonna do.

My PS told me breast lifts are never covered but reductions are. Implant too, never covered. My DH, when he heard this news, said that we could start saving immediately. What a guy...