For those who had to pay... - ThinnerTimes

Jennimaria · 03-22-2006, 10:39 PM

I've been really thinking about plastic surgery a lot today and there are a few things that I want to get fixed in the future. I know for sure insurance probably won't cover me so I'm thinking of digging into my inheritance from my Nana and Pop Pop. About how much does a tummy tuck and breast lift run? I also want to do a few little things like get a scar on my forehead fixed and get rid of this ugly birth mark on my face. I don't know much about plastics as I thought I wouldn't want them, but I really do now.

mfergusont · 03-23-2006, 07:34 AM

Jen, I have been going to consults in Tucson and have checked around in Phoenix for prices. I am going to pay cash and I am hoping to have plastics in the summer.
So far I have been quoted $12,800 for Tummy Tuck w/ muscle tightening, breast lift w/ implants, and liposuction. From another surgeon who I liked much better, she quoted me $10,000 even. (she gave a $3500 discount for multiple procedures)
I checked with 2 docs in the Phoenix area over the phone on pricing, they were both the same. No discounts, and their prices were $8K for tt, $4600 for breast implants, and anywhere from $5K to $9600 for a breast lift. I didn't even ask about the lipo! So I am for sure staying in Tucson, I think maybe the reason why those surgeon's prices are so much more is because they are in Scottsdale.

Meaghan · 03-23-2006, 10:30 AM

here in Northern California cost me about $6,600 and totally worth every penny! But, I've already had a child and am not planning on any more... you may want to wait until after you have kids?

Jennimaria · 03-23-2006, 09:30 PM

Tiffany, thanks for all the pricing info

Meaghan, you are right, I really should wait just in case I want to have kids in the future. At the same time though I want to be a beautiful bride someday and not have to worry about all the flabbyness.

bridgetgirl · 03-24-2006, 09:51 AM

Here in SD I heard an add on the radio to call (no kidding) 866-666-2HOT and they have breast implants for $2900 and Tummy Tuck also, i cant remember how much the TT was, but if you got both it was only $6400! I hae no idea who the group is..... but I thought it was interesting!

sdgrrl · 03-24-2006, 10:03 AM

Dr. Umansky charged me $9000 for my TT and breast lift. I didn't want implants, and he did a little lipo during the TT so everything would look good there. He is in LaJolla, and is a great doc with his own surgery center on site. They did a great job, and I have referred several friends to him, and they all report being treated very nicely and liked him a lot. I can post his phone number if anyone is interested, or pm me and I can give details.

always · 03-24-2006, 07:28 PM

have you contacting a hospital with a burn unit, they will usually do the surgery for free is you donate the skin...i know they have a waiting list, but they also have excellent plastic surgeons...good luck....sharon

Tracie · 03-25-2006, 11:34 PM

I have heard that donating excess skin is an urban legend. I got this off of the FAQs at traumaburn.org

I recently lost a great deal of weight and I have a lots of excess skin. Can I donate my excess skin to a skin bank to help burn patients? Will a tissue bank pay for my skin reduction surgery if I agree to donate my tissue?

These questions are asked quite often by individuals who have lost large amounts of weight and have excess skin folds. We appreciate your desire to donate, however, this kind of donation is unworkable. Allow me to explain why:

Our center does not obtain skin from these patients for several reasons. First, this method of obtaining skin is cost prohibitive. The amount of transplantable tissue obtained from tissue reduction surgery is minimal when compared to the amount of tissue obtained from a cadaveric (deceased) tissue donor. The procurement costs would be much greater as it would require the services of doctors, nurses, anesthetists, and other health care professionals as well as the use of an operating room and other hospital services. Cadaveric donation requires only trained tissue recovery technicians, and they can procure tissue after the body has been sent to the morgue (rather than in an operating room), thus keeping expenses to a minimum.

Additionally, cadaveric donated tissue can be used for transplant soon after recovery (as soon as quality assurance testing is complete), however, the FDA requires that tissues recovered from living donors must be placed into quarantine for six months. At the end of six months, all serologic testing (HIV and Hepatitis) of the donor must be repeated before that tissue can be used.

It is extremely difficult to obtain a skin graft from tissue than has been removed during tissue reduction surgery. The usual procedure for tissue reduction surgery involves the removal of skin and underlying attached tissues, often several centimeters. Skin grafts used for transplant (burn patients) are only 15/1000 (0.015) of an inch thick and do not include these underlying tissues. Skin grafts for transplant are obtained by the use of a surgical device called a dermatome, which peels off a very thin (0.015 inch) uniform layer of skin.

I do not know of any tissue bank that would pay for a donor's tissue reduction surgical expenses for the purpose of obtaining skin for transplantation. If you are interested in donating your tissues upon your death I would encourage you to share this information with your family. Your gift can save lives and greatly reduce suffering.

MiladyB · 03-26-2006, 08:10 AM

Tracie's information is right about the donation of skin to burn centers. I am an RN in a Regional Burn Center and we don't use skin from live donors. As Tracie's information says it really is cost prohibative. Skin that is not your own is always just a temporary covering. Your body will always reject it no matter what and the cost would be huge if we took skin from live donors for the exact same reasons Tracie's information stated.

I know, it would be great if we could get free TT just for donating our skin but it isn't something that happens.