POSTED UNDER Drainless Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
7 months post partum after having my surprise baby (after having my tummy tuck with MR) :)
ORIGINAL POST
Hello ladies! I am so excited to be joining this...
SixpackabsJune 10, 2012
WORTH IT$6,500
Hello ladies! I am so excited to be joining this group of hot mamas! I am 28 years old, a student, and a stay at home Mom to 2 boys, ages 4 and 2. For a while, we debated having another to try for a girl, or waiting a few years to see, but both my husband and I feel tapped out of emotional resources as it is, and I've decided that I'm not going to wait to have this surgery done on the small chance we will actually change our minds. I'm still young, and I'd like to actually enjoy my body while in my youth. This is a real source of self esteem issues for me, and I can't wait to be rid of this saggy skin. I have a boyish, somewhat athletic build, with a slightly apple body shape. I am 5'5" and weigh about 135...looking to get that down to 130-125 range. I want to have the hourglass figure, so I am looking at a full TT with possible lipo and MR. I have only scheduled one consult at this point as this is the doctor and practice I am drawn most to. I live out of town in Illinois, so I will be driving 2 hours to this doctor, but feel good about him. If anyone has great PS recs in the Indy area, I am all ears as I have obviously not made my decision yet. Anyone have some good suggestions for questions to ask at the consult? Anything you didn't ask, but wish you would have? Does anyone know if it is good to lose weight before surgery if you're having lipo? Part of me wants to keep my tummy the same so that he can suck out as much fat as possible, since that is a problem zone for me. Posting the dreaded befores now. :)
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UPDATED FROM Sixpackabs
2 months pre
So, I had my consult on Friday and things were...
SixpackabsJune 19, 2012
So, I had my consult on Friday and things were great. Dr. Aker was really personable and I felt really comfortable with him. When he examined me, he was just really tender and caring, and I have definitely chosen him for my PS. I have no fears about the surgery itself. The thing that is freaking me out is general anesthesia. They have a machine that breathes for me?! I'm paralyzed?! I am really working myself up thinking about it. I have requested information about the anesthesiologist who will be treating me. Is that out of line? I feel like he is an important part of the team and I would like to know who he is. I'm sure Dr. Aker only chooses reputable anesthesiologists to work with, but I would feel much more comfortable if I could meet him/her as well. I keep thinking about that movie Awake, where the woman wakes up during surgery, but is paralyzed from the drugs, so she can't tell the doctors she hears and feels everything. UGGHHH...gives me the creeps bad. Anyone else worried, or did worry about this? General anesthesia is a big deal, carries severe risks if something goes wrong (though rare) and is a totally new thing for me. I'd be booking the surgery now if I could settle my fears about that. The cost, by the way, is about $6,500 for the drainless tummy tuck with MR, and $8,500 for drainless tummy tuck with muscle repair and lipo to the flanks. Still deciding what route to take there. He would prob have to do drains if I go the lipo route because of the excess of fluid caused by that procedure. I'm leaning towards just the TT.
Replies (3)
June 20, 2012
I totally understand your fear of the anesthesia! That is also my biggest fear, even though I have had 4 previous surgeries (non of them for cosmetic reasons). The only real advice I could give you would to make sure that your doctor uses an anesthesiologist (M.D.) rather than a nurse anesthetist... they're knowledgable but not the real deal. You definitely want someone who knows what they're doing. The good part is you won't remember anything after they put the mask on you and ask you to take a few deep breaths. I know that movie might scare you but that rarely, and I do mean rarely, happens to anyone. I have watched plenty of surgeries in the OR myself and the anesthesiologist is constantly monitoring your vitals to ensure everything is in line... they can tell if they need to give you more meds or what not. Don't worry, they will take care of you!
June 21, 2012
So in all four of your last surgeries, were you put completely under? As in, with a breathing tube and totally paralyzed? I see you are about to get yours done soon- how awesome! Ps, we'll be needing to see some real before pics, missy :) The good, bad and the ugly :) I asked my PS if I could have the anesthesiologists name, just to look him up, and I also asked if I can meet him prior. I hope that's not out of line or anything. Then I start wondering if I'm an annoying patient, or maybe they won't want to work with me if I ask too many questions, but then I think that I wouldn't want a PS who didn't allow me to express my worries, and I want someone who is willing to let me ask all the questions I want and he/she should do their best to be patient and answer them. Obviously, I don't have 20+ years of experience, so it probably is annoying that there is this lay person who actually wants to ask questions and understand the situation, and maybe he prefers that I just shutup and trust him, but this is my life in his hands and I think I should take it very seriously. It's probably like when a genius is trying to explain a concept to someone, and they can't, because it's so complicated. But I at least hope he would try. And yes, thank you for the recommendation that I ask for an MD anesthesiologist...I will do that for sure. And make sure he doesn't have any bad reviews against him also. I wonder how they choose their anesthesiologists...do you know? Is it just whomever happens to be working in the hospital where they do surgeries, or what?
June 21, 2012
I know I need to put real pics up! I actually was just thinking that. Perhaps I'll do some this weekend. Its almost too painful to put them up haha... but we're all in the same boat, and people here are far less likely to judge than anyone else I "know".
Yes in all 4 of my surgeries I was completely out. Breathing tube and everything. The tube is what scares me. I don't ever want to be awakened and have a tube in my throat (but the real truth is that they actually do wake you up with it still in to make sure you're okay and can breathe on your own, but you don't remember any of that).
I'm not sure how surgeons typically choose their anesthesiologists. I know that my PS uses the ones on staff at the hospital that he is affiliated with (but he has his own surgery center, so they just come to his OR suites when he has a scheduled surgery). In most cases I'd think they would use whoever works at the hospital...remember though that anesthesiologists have TONS of extra training and must pass lots of tests to become certified, so its not like you have to worry about Joe-Schmo walking in off the street and putting you to sleep for a few hours.
I wouldn't worry about asking too many questions. You are paying a lot of money and entrusting your life to someone who you've just met. If the surgeon isn't willing to take the time to ensure that you are comfortable then he/she isn't worth your time. I asked if I'd be able to meet with my anesthesiologist during my preop appt (1 week prior to surgery) but unfortunately this isn't possible. It definitely won't hurt for you to ask, though. If you can't meet prior to your surgery you will at least get to talk to the anesthesiologist before he/she puts you under to discuss any issues. At that time the anesthesiologist usually also does a quick exam to make sure you are fit to be intubated (really simple-- asking if you have any loose teeth or denture, checking the range of motion of your neck, etc). I think they are used to people being uncomfortable with the idea of being essentially paralyzed, so they are understanding of any questions you may have.
Anyway, sorry to ramble! Hope I've helped some!
Yes in all 4 of my surgeries I was completely out. Breathing tube and everything. The tube is what scares me. I don't ever want to be awakened and have a tube in my throat (but the real truth is that they actually do wake you up with it still in to make sure you're okay and can breathe on your own, but you don't remember any of that).
I'm not sure how surgeons typically choose their anesthesiologists. I know that my PS uses the ones on staff at the hospital that he is affiliated with (but he has his own surgery center, so they just come to his OR suites when he has a scheduled surgery). In most cases I'd think they would use whoever works at the hospital...remember though that anesthesiologists have TONS of extra training and must pass lots of tests to become certified, so its not like you have to worry about Joe-Schmo walking in off the street and putting you to sleep for a few hours.
I wouldn't worry about asking too many questions. You are paying a lot of money and entrusting your life to someone who you've just met. If the surgeon isn't willing to take the time to ensure that you are comfortable then he/she isn't worth your time. I asked if I'd be able to meet with my anesthesiologist during my preop appt (1 week prior to surgery) but unfortunately this isn't possible. It definitely won't hurt for you to ask, though. If you can't meet prior to your surgery you will at least get to talk to the anesthesiologist before he/she puts you under to discuss any issues. At that time the anesthesiologist usually also does a quick exam to make sure you are fit to be intubated (really simple-- asking if you have any loose teeth or denture, checking the range of motion of your neck, etc). I think they are used to people being uncomfortable with the idea of being essentially paralyzed, so they are understanding of any questions you may have.
Anyway, sorry to ramble! Hope I've helped some!
UPDATED FROM Sixpackabs
1 month pre
OMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSH I just scheduled the date!...
SixpackabsJuly 1, 2012
OMYGOSHOMYGOSHOMYGOSH I just scheduled the date! August 3rd. Mom coming into town that night, husband and I staying overnight in Indy while sister cares for the boys here. It's a Friday, not sure what time yet. Preop still to be determined. I'm so scared, nervous and excited! I fluctuate between feeling like, LETS DO THIS NOW, and holy crap I NEED TO CANCEL. Depending on the hour. :) Going to just get the MR and tuck, working my arse off in the gym to do for free what lipo would cost for 2k. Hopefully the results will still be great.
Replies (2)
July 1, 2012
Thanks for the advice! I did ask a bit about the anesthesiologist, and it is an MD, but they can't tell me who because they schedule the night before the surgery. They just work with the practice that works at that hospital. That is seriously the only thing that freaks me out. But lately I've been at the gym kicking my own ass and still feeling self conscious, and I had a moment of bravery where I thought, "I'm doing it. I'm sick of feeling like this" and the realization of how important it is to me is worth the small risk of complication. It's freaky because it's elective, but there's no reason to go on feeling this way when I have the means to make it better. I just commented on your review link...I can't wait to see your afters- post asap and keep us in the loop. You're going to be laying around for a few days anyways, so we'll be here waiting. :)
July 2, 2012
Yay so excited that you have your date set! I also have those same feelings, teetering between "This is awesome lets do it!" to "OMG what the eff am I doing this for?"... but today is preop and I'm going to pay so then there is no turning back!
Replies (6)