Lower Body lift vs TT w/Lipo - ThinnerTimes

Marilyn · 11-07-2006, 06:58 PM

I've searched through past threads looking for discussion about this choice and I haven't found any. I'm starting the plastic surgery consults and I am fortunate to have been approved for the Pannus removal by insurance. Has anyone been told that they should have a lower body lift rather than just a TT with sculpting? What did you choose and why? One surgeon I spoke to ,who I really like, said that she won't do more than one procedure at a time. Any thoughts about this? The LBL sounds very involved, painful and expensive. Just looking for thoughts/opinions. Thanks.

MiladyB · 11-07-2006, 07:21 PM

I'm not to the point yet that I'm looking into plastic surgery but we did have one speak to us at our last support group meeting. I know I will probably need a lower body lift but that probably won't be an option for me since insurance won't cover it. What they probably will cover is the pannus removal and a breast lift. What I will think about though is the added tummy tuck where they will tighten the muscles, sculpt and move the belly button. He said what a lot of people do is pay that extra cost which for him would be about $1000-$2000 more. The price he quoted on the lbl was around $4500 for doctor's fees only. He did say that he will do more than one procedure at a time depending on what they are. For example he would do the pannus and the arms or the pannus and the breasts. But he felt the total body lift or lbl were too extensive to do with another procedure. What he will do though, is give discounts if you need to go back a second time. That's something you may want to ask about.

Blueyz · 11-07-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marilyn

I've searched through past threads looking for discussion about this choice and I haven't found any. I'm starting the plastic surgery consults and I am fortunate to have been approved for the Pannus removal by insurance. Has anyone been told that they should have a lower body lift rather than just a TT with sculpting? What did you choose and why? One surgeon I spoke to ,who I really like, said that she won't do more than one procedure at a time. Any thoughts about this? The LBL sounds very involved, painful and expensive. Just looking for thoughts/opinions. Thanks.

My surgeon did a Tummy Tuck with a hip to hip incision and also did a ventral hernia repair. Since the original and many revisions of the hernia mesh, I had vertical tucks and another horizontal a year from the first TT. My doc wouldn't do a full body lift. He says in a year or so, he will do the thigh lift and pull up the rear a bit. I am sure after getting a consult, your surgeon will be able to tell you what will work best for you.

suzanne · 11-08-2006, 05:57 AM

I have wrote about this before, I had a lower body lift and inner thigh lift at the same time on September 13. My experience has been difficult. I developed wounds because having a lower body lift is more cutting, and with that you can get wounds that take forever to heal, I have to go to a specialist three morning a week, and I have been doing it for 5 weeks now, and still have a month atleast to go. I also have a machine hooked to me that is called a wound vac that is hooked to the wounds to help them heal faster. That said, I would do it again, the reason I choose the lower body lift and over a tummy tuck was because I had lot of extra skin on my back and I also had the cut up the middle that runs from the lower body lift cut up to between my boobs, however this is where I have the biggest wound as well and have been told it is because the blood supply was cut off so much. I really haven't had problems with the back of me so much, just one wound that is very small. Just know with a lower body lift you can have more problems, but I have found the results are better than just a tummy tuck. I also found that a lot of doctors won't do all of that at once because it is a lot on your body. I didn't have any problems with my inner thigh lift it went great. One big piece of advice I can give you is beef up your protein, protein is what you use to heal and that will help a lot. They told me if I had more, this may not have happened like this.
Don't want to scare you but just wanted you to have some information that I wasn't given. I don't regret it and would do it again in a min!!! Just remember the healing process can be longer than you think.

swisschick · 11-11-2006, 04:47 PM

I'm also looking into options and I am convinced that I want a lower body lift rather than just a TT. My deciding factor was seeing a woman who had had a TT and wished she had done the whole way round. She showed me her TT scar and it was perfectly straight, beautifully healed and she had a fabulously flat stomach (she hadn't had gastric bypass but had lost weight after 3 pregnancies). She was offered the lower body lift and declined on the basis that she didn't think her back section was 'that bad' and she didn't want the larger op. She now totally regrets it because what didn't look 'that bad' before now looks FAR WORSE compared the the perfectly flat stomach she has. It is sort of disporoportionate, the love handles stick out at the sides etc. So she is going to go back and have the other half done. THis sold it to me - I too didn't think my back was that bad, but in for a penny.....

I look far better than I ever thought I would post bypass surgery, I wasn't seeking perfection and would have been perfectly happy just getting to the point where I could fit into a size 10 but now that I buy a size 6 pants, it would be nice if the flesh didn't roll over the top of my low cut jeans!!! I am not even looking into insurance so I can't comment on that, but I have just had my second consultation and have been told that I am totally 'deflated' and ready for the lower body lift - no lipo will be necessary. I am surprised that Suzanne had a thigh lift at the same time - my surgeon wouldn't even do an eyelid surgery at the same time (and thats a pretty small procedure) as he says the lower body lift is traumatic enough so one thing at a time. I'm also sorry to hear that she has had problems but it motivates me that despite this she has no regrets.

I'm booking myself in for the new year - they say it takes 6 months for all the swelling to totally die down - just in time for the summer! I also can't WAIT to get my breasts done (they are a 34 B when rolled up - they were a 42 DD before) but the lower body lift needs to be done first so that it doesn't drag down the 'new' breasts. Anyway, I can't give much actual advice as I haven't done it yet, I just thought i would share my thoughts as I have been going through the same decision process as you.

Good luck with it all, Carla

rainrain · 11-12-2006, 10:42 PM

I had a partial lower body lift, which went around the back, but not all the way.
He also did conturing in areas, where the fat had pooled and was sticking around unevenly, I had a pooch on my right hip. All together he sucked out less that 1 litre, the rest was the lifting. He removerd 3 pounds of skin. He did a complete abdominoplasty with the lift as he neded to repair the 2 hernias, and he did it with suturing my ab muscles instead of mesh. This gives me a flat stomach, includes the upper abs and the love handles. I have little curves in the back that I am not happy with, but they a from the way I healed. I do not like them, but most people say they are just curves in my shape. I may have him conture a bit more, but not too much and definatly no mopre cutting.

Good luck!

Marilyn · 11-28-2006, 05:03 PM

Thank you ladies for your honesty and insight. I have had 3 consults and 2 out of the 3 recommend the lower body lift. I think my problem stems from feeling very selfish and guilty for spending so much money on myself when I have an entire family that depends on me. I have to finance most of it and I hate the thought of putting my family in debt. In the end I guess I just feel that I'm not worth it. Did any of you feel this way? What do you tell yourself to change your mind?

Gina in NY · 11-28-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Thank you ladies for your honesty and insight. I have had 3 consults and 2 out of the 3 recommend the lower body lift. I think my problem stems from feeling very selfish and guilty for spending so much money on myself when I have an entire family that depends on me. I have to finance most of it and I hate the thought of putting my family in debt. In the end I guess I just feel that I'm not worth it. Did any of you feel this way? What do you tell yourself to change your mind?

I was telling my sister that I plan to get the TT and a breast lift, unless the girls deflate any more, then I'm going for implants. She was TOTALLY shocked. I said, "I'm not losing over 150 pounds to look like CRAP!" She didn't even know what to say, but during our next phone conversation she said, "You know - I think I'd feel the same way. You're doing so much for your health; you work out every day, you're doing the vitamins and everything, you've cut your risk of diabetes down and extended your life-span, you do deserve to look great!"

Thank you my most perfect sister!