Gastric bypass in 2018, Highest weight 403lbs and currently 176lbs. I've maintained this weight for over a year and feel time for skin removal. Id like an arm lift and tummy tuck. Problem is, I have a pacemaker. I cant seem to find a surgeon that will do both surgeries at once so that I can cut cost. I cant afford to dish out $40,000 per surgery or even for just 1. My cardiologist has given me the go ahead and said the skin removal would be beneficial. Please HELP
February 7, 2022
Answer: Tummy tuck and arm lift. Thank you for your pictures and questions. Congrats on all your weight loss! First let me say that it is possible to have an arm lift and a tummy tuck at the same time, there is no absolute contraindication for that. However, if some doctors are advising against it, there is likely a reason for that and it is probably for a safety reason. A combo procedure like that is going to be a long surgery and there may be other issues in your medical history (pacemaker or other) that are leaning your consults from combining the surgeries. And it is not to try to charge you more money but it is in the interest of your safety. However, only a consultation and discussion with a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery will tell you for sure. Also just a side note, based on your photos and your history, you are likely going to benefit from more skin removal from the trunk than a standard tummy tuck and are likely going to be a better candidate for a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck or circumferential body lift. Hope this helps Dallas Buchanan, MD VIVIFY plastic surgery Tampa, FL
Helpful
February 7, 2022
Answer: Tummy tuck and arm lift. Thank you for your pictures and questions. Congrats on all your weight loss! First let me say that it is possible to have an arm lift and a tummy tuck at the same time, there is no absolute contraindication for that. However, if some doctors are advising against it, there is likely a reason for that and it is probably for a safety reason. A combo procedure like that is going to be a long surgery and there may be other issues in your medical history (pacemaker or other) that are leaning your consults from combining the surgeries. And it is not to try to charge you more money but it is in the interest of your safety. However, only a consultation and discussion with a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery will tell you for sure. Also just a side note, based on your photos and your history, you are likely going to benefit from more skin removal from the trunk than a standard tummy tuck and are likely going to be a better candidate for a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck or circumferential body lift. Hope this helps Dallas Buchanan, MD VIVIFY plastic surgery Tampa, FL
Helpful
February 6, 2022
Answer: Tummy tuck I don't think I would do both procedures at the same time either. It's a lot of surgery to do at once in someone with any cardiac issue. It's simply not a good idea to do both together. Don't take the risks. It's not worth it
Helpful
February 6, 2022
Answer: Tummy tuck I don't think I would do both procedures at the same time either. It's a lot of surgery to do at once in someone with any cardiac issue. It's simply not a good idea to do both together. Don't take the risks. It's not worth it
Helpful