To tummy tuck or not to tummy tuck... - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

rebelg66 · 07-21-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgrrl

I self paid for mine, no insurance coverage, but I got a good deal--I got an abdominoplasty and a mastopexy (boob lift) for $9500 for both. He was an EXCELLENT surgeon with a wonderful personality--compassionate--he came into his office on Thanksgiving morning and drained 120cc's of seroma because it would have grown too much if I had gone the whole weekend. His name is William Umansky and he has a surgery center in LaJolla. I thought he was really great and wouldn't hesitate to use him if I ever had ps again. His staff is very skilled, also.

I would travel to him if I can ever afford to self pay. The plastic surgeon I am seeing here in the bay area will be almost $14,000 for the mastopexy and abdominoplasty. He is a great Dr, wonderful bedside manner and very positive attitude, however there are other Drs with the same attributes out there that will cost less and yours sounds like one.

Cinerbelle · 07-21-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgrrl

I self paid for mine, no insurance coverage, but I got a good deal--I got an abdominoplasty and a mastopexy (boob lift) for $9500 for both. He was an EXCELLENT surgeon with a wonderful personality--compassionate--he came into his office on Thanksgiving morning and drained 120cc's of seroma because it would have grown too much if I had gone the whole weekend. His name is William Umansky and he has a surgery center in LaJolla. I thought he was really great and wouldn't hesitate to use him if I ever had ps again. His staff is very skilled, also.

Did that boob lift include implants? I wonder how much more $$ that would be. I haven't decided if I am going to want the girls just lifted or lifted and fluffed! Guess I'll decided that once I get to goal!!

lealphachienne · 07-21-2006, 04:03 PM

I self paid for a lift and implants along with a pannectomy and lower body lift. I didn't need the muscle tightening, but had the excess skin removed. My incision looks fine and I decided to get a tattoo to cover up what remains of the scar. My incision goes all the way around, almost a full 360 so the loose skin was remved off my hips too. Every body is different on how the scare will look, how the surgeon makes the incsions, and a vairety of factors. I almost died during my PS and had a horribly long 3 month recovery, but I would do it all over again. I'd post a picture, but I'm having problems with this site uploading them.

sdgrrl · 07-21-2006, 06:12 PM

I have had (IMO) huge breasts since puberty, and it always felt like that's all boys wanted to date me for. Like they'd want to feel me up before they even kissed me.

Therefore, when I had the chance to get them lifted, Dr. Umansky asked me if I wanted "fluffing" or not. He also said that he could make them look good without implants just by getting rid of the excess skin and repositioning the nipples. He warned me that I might lose sensation in the nipples. I went for the smaller option, and I'll be darned, whereas my "high beams" were never very sensitive, they sure are now. When I gained my weight back (before this surgery) they got big again, which bummed me out, but now that I have lost the weight they are smaller and a bit saggier than they were immediately post op. But they were sure perky and cute after the non-implant surgery! The nice thing is I don't always have to wear a bra, vs having to get industrial strength bras with re-bar like I did before.

That and having all the messed up, flabby muscles in my abdomen tightened and repaired was some of the best money I have spent in my life.

Now that everyone knows all about my breasts, NO STARING please!!

twodogsmom · 07-22-2006, 04:50 PM

My ins. (BC/PPO) will do a tummy tuck but they typically wait 18 mo after your WLS. I have a hernia along the insicion, tho, so I am going to start pushing for the tummy tuck and hernia repair to be in Dec, 1 year, out if I have reached goal, which I expect to do. With the heat rashes under my tummy and breasts, I am hoping for a breast lift, too.

rebelg66 · 07-23-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twodogsmom

My ins. (BC/PPO) will do a tummy tuck but they typically wait 18 mo after your WLS. I have a hernia along the insicion, tho, so I am going to start pushing for the tummy tuck and hernia repair to be in Dec, 1 year, out if I have reached goal, which I expect to do. With the heat rashes under my tummy and breasts, I am hoping for a breast lift, too.

Will ins. cover a breat lift if you are getting heat rashes or fungal infections under your breasts? I don't get them very often but occasionally.

bridgetgirl · 07-23-2006, 09:42 PM

Whats your insurance/ My plastic surgeon did a full tummy tuck after only being approved for a pannelectomy. He refuses to only do pannelectomies, stating that we have worked to hard to accept that.

Dr Katzen accepts all PPOS, and Aetna HMO. He is in Beverly Hills, and for me (I went to him when he was in L.A) was well worth the drive!

If you have a HMO you may wind up with a pannelectomy. Pam just had one, I bet she looks great!

Blueyz · 07-23-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinerbelle

Did that boob lift include implants? I wonder how much more $$ that would be. I haven't decided if I am going to want the girls just lifted or lifted and fluffed! Guess I'll decided that once I get to goal!!

Breast lift is a different price than implants. Implants are what cost the $$$ from what my PS surgeon has told me. I am sure some surgeons might give a price combo break if you have a lift and implant surgery at the same time.

twodogsmom · 07-24-2006, 07:23 AM

Depends on insurance, some will, some won't. Document and consult doctor when you do have rash. Fotos help, too.

rebelg66 · 07-24-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

Whats your insurance/ My plastic surgeon did a full tummy tuck after only being approved for a pannelectomy. He refuses to only do pannelectomies, stating that we have worked to hard to accept that.

Dr Katzen accepts all PPOS, and Aetna HMO. He is in Beverly Hills, and for me (I went to him when he was in L.A) was well worth the drive!

If you have a HMO you may wind up with a pannelectomy. Pam just had one, I bet she looks great!

I have Medi-Care/Medi-Cal. There is no way they will cover a full TT, it is considered completely cosmetic. They have already approved the panniculectomy and denied the TT.
According to the woman I talked to in the office of the PS I saw he will not do just the panniculectomy, for basically the same reasons. I am hoping that if I talk to him and explain that that is all I can afford now, but still would like the best job possible, maybe he will do it.
Is Pam a subscriber on here (I am not familiar with everyone)? Who did her panniculectomy? Is she happy with it? Perhaps if you talk to her you could have her PM me. I would really appreciate it! The only pics I have been able to find were not weight loss patients. They had theirs for back trouble/infections so I really couldn't get a good idea of what it might look like for me.
Thanks for the info!