I had Dr. Meinenger do BodyTite on my abdomen and I'm only three weeks post op and I can already tell that my skin is so much tighter!! Recovery was/is not bad at all. The first week it was hard to use my core but every day gets easier. I've worn the garment that Dr gives you 24/7 and it is really not that uncomfortable (unless you're outside in the heat).
I had been getting some deep wrinkles,especially around the mouth. The experience itself was a good one, but not sure I feel it did as much as I thought it would. I certainly still have wrinkles. In overall appearance it made my face look younger, but don’t feel the wrinkles were improved enough for what it cost.
Dr. Meininger is a caring, down to earth physician. He takes a lot of time during appointments, and answers as many questions as you have. I had an umbilical hernia repaired and at the same time, Body-Tite of the abdomen. My belly button looks 100% better than it did (it protruded quite a bit and now it looks like a normal belly button) and the Body-Tite removed some fat in the area, but not as much as full liposuction would have, I think. I am very happy with the results and would recommend Dr. Meininger to anyone looking for a doctor who is not intimidating and is realistic about what can and cannot be done with surgery or cosmetic procedures. His staff is very friendly and makes you feel totally comfortable. I highly recommend him.
Exercised, ate right but have always had 2 'love handles', and a bit of a tummy from having children. I am so happy with the results, now my body fits the rest of me! Don't kid yourself, this is real surgery, not a shot of Botox, but so worth it for me! Needed to wear a compression garment for 2 weeks post surgery.
I can't day enough good things about Dr. Meininger. He is professional, super responsive to your needs, easy to talk to and instills confidence. I had reconstructive surgery after mastectomy. The office runs like clockwork. The doctor is always on time.
I am a widowed 57 year old who has had three children. I have had my "pouch" for a very long time and always wanted a way to flatten it out. Work outs haven't worked for me and was tired of no results. I had liposuction performed last October but not quite the results I was looking for. I was given a brochure for BodyTite and figured that was just what I needed for the final "nip & tuck". The procedure itself was performed in the Doctors office. I was given Ativan, pain & nausea medication before the procedure. Dr Meininger used local anesthetic so you had 5 fine needle pokes in my abdomen (somewhat uncomfortable but certainly not painful) and then the insertion of the canules in the abdomen region. Again uncomfortable but not painful. I could hear the staff and Dr talking and tugs and pulls but I was not coming off the table in excruciating pain. The next thing I remember is Dr Meininger saying we were all done and how beautiful everything turned out. I honestly don't remember how long the procedure took (maybe an hour) because once I got home I slept for 8 hours. Was tender the next day with some bruising but was able to go about running errands. The next three days were a different story and was very tender, swollen, bruised and wearing your "corset" for 24 hours for four days was probably the hardest challenge. The fourth day was the most uncomfortable day with everything "peaking" but between the icing of the area and taking Motrin it was fine. I did not miss any work at all (work as a receptionist) so I was happy about that. Overall, I am extremely happy that I did have the procedure done and am looking forward to the results. Still somewhat bloated but the bruising is going away now and I have not taken the Motrin since last Sunday. The only thing I am doing now is wearing my spanx 12 hours aday and that is not a problem at all. All I can say is I am very happy I had this procedure done. It was performed in the office, the pain was minimal, but I can see (it's only been a week) that the results are going to be what this 57 year old widow is looking for.
I met with Dr. Meininger to discuss the option of breast reconstruction after a double mastectomy. His entire office was very professional. Dr. Meininger and his nurse answered all our questions and did not make us feel rushed at all. I'm scheduled for surgery this summer after the completion of chemotherapy.
After many years of not being happy with my shape - oversize thighs - I decided to do something about them. I'm a smallish person with a classic hourglass figure that makes buying pants almost impossible. Even curvy fits didn't really work well - I was still buying pants to fit my thighs and living with the rest of it. I figured out that spot reduction on my thighs would help a great deal and interviewed three plastic surgeons to find out about what would work. I turned out to be a good candidate for the liposuction procedure. I chose Dr Meininger and am really happy with my results. He removed fat from several areas on my thighs, resulting in a natural contour from top to bottom on the inner, front, and outside areas. Prior to the surgery, I referred to my thighs as "corndogs". Post-surgery (I'm only about two weeks out), I have more "normal" contours, without the excess baggage and "breading". My jeans fit much more uniformly up and down my leg, rather than being tight in the thigh and (very) loose everywhere else. My dress clothes also fit more uniformly, which is important to me for work. I'm quite happy because even though I still have healing to do (hopefully I can add some pictures in a few weeks), I've already achieved my goal of fitting in pants. I should have done this years ago!
A frightening experience to hear the words "breast cancer". Dr. Nicole Walker, and her team are compassionate, informative and "matched" me with Dr. Meininger. I had heard of wonderful outcomes from his skill and hope to have the same. His empathy and availability are reassuring and supportive. I learned of my DCIS while on vacation. I was scheduled within days to see Dr. Walker and her team. I met with the surgeon, nurse navigator, radiologist, hematologist, social worker and medical oncologist all in one morning. The 2mm DCIS was initially going to be a lumpectomy with whole breast radiation as there were multiple calcifications throughout the breast. The astute radiologist was particularly concerned about 2 other areas in the same breast so I had two additional biopsies 3 days later. These, too, were DCIS and the area now spread to 6cm, too large to get clean margins. I asked for the tumor board to give their opinion and all 5 agreed that mastectomy was the only reasonable way to be sure all cancer cells were removed. Radiating the breast after taking such a large lumpectomy would only make reconstruction extremely difficult if not impossible and would not ensure that the nipple and areola were not affected by stray cells. Skin sparing mastectomy was recommended. I was devasted and pretty much shut down. After seeing the medical oncologist, because my cancer is hormone receptor positive and all HRT had to be stopped, an MRI was ordered, bilateral. Two questionable areas were found in the other breast, one was biopsied and found to be atypical hyperplasia, which is how this DCIS started 10 years ago. My sister had stage 2 breast cancer which was found 1 year after a prior mammogram showed nothing. She just finished her bilateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstruction in August. Dr. Meininger was her plastic surgeon. My mother has had 4 occurences of breast cancer, radiation, and a unilateral mastectomy. My aunt, maternal side, has had breast cancer. Though my genetic testing came back negative, the strong family history made me very leary of not doing something decisive about this awful situation/disease. Ironically, October is my surgery and breast cancer awareness month. While I have been very aware for years, have donated, participated in the Race for The Cure five times, it is different to be the patient rather than the support person. It is upsetting, scary, and I wish it weren't happening, not just to me but to anyone. I alternate between being the warrior and being an emotional mess who just can't stop the tears. I am not vain about my breasts, I just don't want to go through this process and I don't want to look at myself every day for the rest of my life and see that part of me is replaced, with scars, by something not real. I get the whole survive/thrive, "we are talking about your life", "scars are a sign of survival", etc. but I really just don't want to do this. I am very familiar with chronic pain, so it's not the pain, it's not the vain, it's just the plain......I don't want TO DO THIS. And yet I will, because I have to.
I'm 47 years old, and for last 10 years or so, I haven't liked my boobs. I'm 5 feet, roughly 155 lbs, with size 34J boobs! Not cool. With clothes on you can't really tell how large they are because I generally dress in a corporate manner (suits), buy when the clothes come off, bam! There is zero elevation in my boobs; I lost that years ago. I'm looking forward to taking my bra off and my GURLS not dropping. My husband is still nervous and hesitant, but he will get on board. This is enhancement for ME, and happy wife, happy life! I'm slightly nervous, but my prayers will override my nervousness. At my recent pre-op, my doctor had a man to man talk with my husband, and I sincerely appreciated that. I bought a front closure sports bra at the suggestion of my doctor and just doing that alone made me happy. The goal is 34D. I will post before pics soon, but I'm sending encouragement to ANYONE who needs it! Stay tuned! Updated on 26 Apr 2015: Updated on 28 Apr 2015: I an now 3 days away from my big day! I don't really know how I feel. My emotions are all over the place! I'm, excited, happy, nervous, anxious, all at the same time. One of my best friends is coming from Maryland to stay with me for 5 days to help out, which I am very grateful for, considering she's a nurse. This site has been a TREMENDOUS help for me. I feel like I've read stories from one end of the spectrum to the other. I am thanking and praising God in advance for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. It is also my prayer that my nerves don't and won't get the best of me the night before. Updated on 1 May 2015: I'm on the other side!!! Things went great, I'll elaborate later. Sleepy time Updated on 1 May 2015: I can finally say the words, I HAD A BREAST REDUCTION! A synopsis of my day: I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am. By 6:30 I was in a room had changed into gown, vitals had been taken, and I inserted! Beaumont employees took care of business! Anesthesia doctor and nurses came to talk to me, doctor did my drawings and talked extensively with my family, got my 'appetizer anesthesia' by 7:50, and then I woke up in recovery! I literally don't remember anything in between! I had to have the drainage tubes, unfortunately. Because my best friend traveled from out of town to stay with and take care of me, and she's a nurse, my doctor allowed me to go home. It is now midnight and the drainage tubes have prevented me to getting any real rest at all! I've had heavy duty drugs, and still no sleep. I haven't seen my new gurls yet, but I'm ok with that. I go to the doctor Monday to have drains removed (today is Friday) and I can't wait! Total of 1,500 grams were removed, which is why I had to have tubes. The insertion point is what's painful. BUT, I'm on the other side and I'm happy! !!! Updated on 2 May 2015: I have not been able to sleep! I'm taking Motrin 800 and Percoset, and still can't get comfortable enough to sleep longer than an hour. I think it's the drainage tubes. They are the DEVIL! I took a benadryl and it helped me sleep better. I knew this recovery would a process, but I can't even stand on my own! I can do nothing for myself. Good thing I have my private nurse round the clock for 5 days. This recovery requires rest, rest, and more rest! Updated on 3 May 2015: The day after I came home from having my surgery, my grandmother had a heart attack. It was totally heart breaking that I couldn't be there for my family. The good thing is I have my friend who is staying with me, considering my entire family has been at the hospital the last 2 days. Granny is stable, but please say a prayer for her. Updated on 4 May 2015: Well, I was looking forward to having these horrible drainage tubes removed today, but it didn't happen. When I spoke with the nurse she told me the level the fluid needed to at before my doctor would remove the tubes, and I'm not there! I rescheduled for Wednesday, hopefully I'll be ready! I'm 3 days post-op and just last night was the 1st time I was able to move from room to room without assistance. It's 2:30 and I'm just taking pain meds today. Trying to slowly ween myself away from them. I'm very tired, all the time, but this is all part of the process. I still haven't seen my new gurls yet, but I'm ok with that. I have a lifetime with them! For those scheduled soon, only POSITIVE thoughts! Updated on 6 May 2015: I went for my 1st post op today and drainage tubes were removed! They were the WORST part of my recovery. Don't want to frighten anyone, but they had me pretty much paralyzed. I understand that having them were the best thing for me considering the amount that was removed, but I'm so happy they're out! Found out today that I have dissolvable stitches, so there was no need for steri strips. I only have tape around my nipples and gauze to place in my bra. I get really really car sick when I'm not driving, so by the time me and my mom got to doctors office I was totally nauseated, and I'm still nauseated. I've felt yucky all day for some reason, but it'll pass. It's probably because I haven't been eating as regular as I had been when my nurse friend was here, but she left yesterday. She made sure I ate around the clock, and she even woke me up during the night to eat. This prevents and helps with neusea (which I have right now). But I have NO regrets. My new best friends look amazing. But I can't stress enough to get plenty of rest and fluids! I will post pictures as soon as I feel better. I've also been taking less pain meds. Pain is present, but tolerable. Updated on 7 May 2015: I'm finally ready to post a before and after picture, and I'm very pleased! I'm so excited! It's been a rough 6 days since my surgery, but looking at this picture confirms it's all worth it! Updated on 19 May 2015: Post op day 18, and I chose to go back to work part time. My 1st day wasn't bad at all. I'm an Office Manager and my days are extremely busy, but I'm limiting myself to 4 hours per day in the office. We'll see how day 2 goes. I still feel pain in both breasts throughout the day, but it's tolerable. Still wearing a sports bra 24/7 as well. But what I'm really looking forward to is being able to exercise again! Updated on 27 May 2015: I thank all the doctors for their insight regarding my problematic incision. I did go see the nurse at my surgeons office, and it was discovered some of the inside dissolvable sutures were trying to make their way out, which is one of the things one of the responding doctors mentioned. The nurse removed the sutures with tweezers. It was also recommended that I allow my wound to air out when I can, so I remove my bra daily when I get home from work and I sleep without a bra on when I can tolerate it. My breasts are still tender and my nipples are CRAZY SENSITIVE, so sometimes sleeping without a bra isn't conducive for me. Btw, I'm just shy if 4 weeks post op. Updated on 29 May 2015: I am 4 weeks post op, and I had no clue how sensitive my nipples would be! Because of my incision issue, I take my bra off to allow my wound to breathe when I get home from work, but wearing anything loose wrecks havoc on my already sensitive nipples. I know this is part of the process, but yikes! My nurse told me to expect my nipples to be like this for at least a month. But sore nipples, incision problem and all, I have no regrets! Updated on 4 Jun 2015: Well, I went back to my surgeon for the 2nd time regarding my open wound at the T juncture. Again, they had to remove some supposedly internal sutures that were misbehaving. Everything else has healed, except this problem area. My breasts are still VERY sore, but it's tolerable. The good thing is I'm still numb in the area where my wound is, so it's not painful. Praying for a speedy closure! Updated on 5 Jun 2015: Take a look at my before and after breast reduction! Updated on 5 Jun 2015: I'm 5 weeks post op and I'm sure I may still be a little swollen, but I honestly think I'm going to be a DD cup when it's all said and done. I have been trying on bras a lot lately, and anything other than a DD just ain't working. I'm actually ok with it because I'm sitting high and perky and I can go braless! Something I haven't been able to do since my 20s (I'm in my 40s). Bottom line is, this is one of the best decisions I've EVER made. Updated on 14 Jun 2015: Well I am now 6 weeks post-op, and outside of my problematic wound, my recovery is going good! I'm not 100% yet, but I'm headed in the right direction! I still feel tenderness in my breasts, but each day gets better. My wound is a nightmare! It's at my upside down T juncture, and it's giving me a rough time. I go to the doctor bi-weekly and he says it's not infected, but the healing is extremely slow. I have feeling back in my breasts so now my wound is PAINFUL. All in all, still no regrets! I'm very pleased! Updated on 17 Jun 2015: 6 weeks post-op, almost 7 weeks, and looking at picture I took of myself today, I still look top heavy to me, but I'm still happy and satisfied! Updated on 29 Jun 2015: It's been a while since I've updated, but I wanted to post the progress of my wound after breast reduction surgery. It started really bad and not pretty, but I'm happy to say my wound is finally closed! It was a long process, but all worth it! Updated on 8 Mar 2016: My reduction was 9 months ago, and although it's been somewhat a struggle, I have no regrets. I will attribute it to my lack of youthfulness, but my breasts did start to sag again after about 4 months. It's nothing I can't live with, considering I went from a JJ cup to a DDD cup. I will admit, a DDD cup wasn't my dream, but again, I can live with it. I am very pleased with my new breasts. I had some problems in the beginning with my wounds at the T juncture, which didn't heal pretty, but I'm not seeking anyone since I've been married over 20 years, so I don't bother with that. My doctor wanted to do a scar revision, but I've opted not to. Just wanted to give an update on my progress!!
I have found that BodyTite enhances the results I get with liposuction. I frequently use it as a skin tightening tool before liposuction or to tighten the skin after liposuction. It works very well in the flank areas and results in considerably less bruising and discomfort in this area.
The cost depends on the area(s) you are having treated and whether the physician performing the procedure is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or not. The fees can cost anywhere from $3500 to $5500, sometimes less depending on the severity of the area being treated and time required. Most procedures can be performed in the physician’s office under local anesthesia, saving the patient the additional expenses associated with facility and anesthesia fees. Multiple areas can be treated at the same time if deemed safe, for example, abdomen and flanks. This is determined at the time of your consultation. If a patient prefers additional sedation for their comfort, it can be performed at an outpatient surgery center, but will cost more due to the facility and anesthesia fees.
BodyTite and FaceTite do use radio frequency generated heat to tighten the skin and supporting structures of the skin. It is theoretically possible to have a very small burn but where BodyTite differs from other ways of liquefying fat - laser and ultrasound liposuction- there are several built in sensors that monitor heat generation and temperature to make burns very unlikely. Rippling is very uncommon with these procedures again unlike primary liposuction procedures where ripples and unevenness is common. The incisions are small 2mm punctures most commonly. Local anesthesia is an art. If the doctor is experienced and careful, local anesthesia is very effective. Usually these operations are done under local with mild oral sedation usually being offered as well.
Liposuction is frequently used with BodyTite but the primary concept of BodyTite is to tighten the skin and the supporting structures of the skin to reduce skin excess and skin laxity. BodyTite and FaceTite use Radio frequency to heat and tighten the skin. Liposuction is used to remove the liquified fat after the procedure or to reduce the areas before BodyTite.
Leakage after BodyTite is very common. It is ok, it's normal and the leakage is better out than staying in for the most part. Bruising is usually pretty mild but depends on the size of the area treated and the amount of liposuction with the procedure. The drainage should be clear pink or slightly bloody and may last for 48 hours. Excessive drainage, high fevers, bright red blood or milky drainage are signs of things to call your doctor about.
