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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

44, 4 Kids and I Want my Stomach "BB" Back! - Chicago, IL

ORIGINAL POST

Hello, this is not a TT revision but I wrote...

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Rucute2
WORTH IT$10,000
Hello, this is not a TT revision but I wrote another review but I noticed that it is impossible to delete the previous Dr. and add a new one which sucks. I mean nobody wants the Dr that they were previously thinking of using to see the new review since it does fall under their name if you pull up Dr's.
Anyway, if needed you can find my previous review. So, this is a new TT review
Well I believe I have finally found a Dr to do my TT. I have had several consultations and either they were nice but didn't fit my criteria or I just didn't feel a good vibe with them.
The original Dr I had chosen was close to home and I really did like him. He has years of experience and excellent bedside manner. However, he wanted to break my procedure up into 2 separate and I knew that although the end result would be nice. I just couldn't see myself doing 2 procedures. I already do not care for surgery and I knew that I would probably fall into a little depression.
This is why:
I am 44yrs old and have 4 children (1 set of twins). I had to have a c-section with my last pregnancy (twins) which during the procedure the Dr cut right through my BB which left me with 2 pieces. Yes two BB's! Soon after I developed a hernia which had to be repaired. That procedure left me with 1 part of my BB on top and 1 on the bottom and my stomach was lopsided. I was horrified but I lived with it for 12yrs thus far. In 2014, my gyne Dr realized that I had another hernia (which turned out to be the original one). So, April 2015 I had another hernia repair. The surgeon I had was nice to where he even tighten up my lower muscles (which helped tremendously with my lower back pain) and cut off the top part of the BB so I would look a little better. He did an excellent job and I was very appreciative of that but in the end I still only have a small piece of BB. It really is just a piece of skin because it is no longer attached to the stump. I hate looking at my stomach. I am very active and no matter what I do I will never be able to show my stomach plus, now I have a lower pouch. I hate to feel like I am being vain (does anyone else feel that way? Like they are being vain and selfish? Like why take the risk!) but I must admit if I had a BB I really probably wouldn't be going through with this procedure. The original Dr I was going to use told me that he would have to do my TT into 2 parts. 1st do the TT, cut the BB and everything out (yes I would not have a BB). Then 6 to 9 months later he would be able to recreate a new BB. He said it was because of the lack of blood supply that my BB would have if he did it with the TT and it would fall off. I didn't like that idea. For one I didn't want to have two procedures and for 2, I didn't want to walk around looking like an alien for 6 to 9 months. I continued to look at PS in my area and although all of them said they could do the two at the same time I didn't like their demeanor. One Dr was 45mins late to the office. Then he quickly went through what he would do and that was it. I spoke with his secretary who told me the coordinator was out and she would get back to me the next day because I wanted to see photos of his work. Lets just say she got back with me 2 weeks later. That is a no no! I saw 2 other PS's that I just simply didn't like. Then I decided to see someone downtown Chicago since I am close to Chicago. I didn't like how he acted like he was afraid to touch me then when I looked up his credentials he wasn't a certified PS he was a general surgeon who just does cosmetic procedures and he wasn't up to date on his CME. Yes I know all about physicians since I have worked in credentialing and in several physician offices. Plus I truly believe in researching the physicians background. Although, he looked like he performs get work, I just want someone certified especially since my anatomy is a little different then the standard TT. I wanted someone who specializes in reconstruction surgery. So, someone actual on RS was kind and recommended a few Dr's to me at Northwestern hospital. I went to see a couple and I have finally narrowed it down to one. The only thing about Chicago PS is that the majority charges a consultation fee ($100-$140)but it was ok because I am very picky and already nervous so i knew that I had to find someone that I felt comfortable and confident with. Now, I have chosen my surgery date and I must admit I am a nervous wreck. I am always lurking the reviews on RS, some good and some not so good and like all I am just hoping for a great result. Any suggestions anyone?

Rucute2's provider

Michael J. Lee, MD

Michael J. Lee, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Rucute2

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Replies (3)

January 10, 2016

Your poor tummy has been through hell!

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January 11, 2016
YES IT HAS! LOL
January 12, 2016

I feel your pain:)

UPDATED FROM Rucute2
2 months pre

Nervous Wreck

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Rucute2
I haven't updated in a while because I am a over thinker. The only thing on my mind daily is this surgery. I am a nervous wreck. I obsess about a great outcome but then I think about the bad and is it worth the risk. Then I get upset because I should have followed my 1st mind and when I had my hernia surgery back in April of last year I should have had my TT as well. I personally do not like the thought or process of surgery. I read some post where people are so excited and I truly wish I could be like that. Anyway, I have started planning. I made my pre-op appt for late Feb because I didn't want any issues trying to get an appt date. I also, went to pick up my surgical notes so my PS can see what was all done during my hernia repair. I have been taking iron supplements and drinking spinach smoothies daily. I am anemic so I have to make sure my hemp levels are up. Last year my hemo was 11 so I know it at least has to be a 12. I am exercising regularly. I love running but now I am including more abdominal exercises and weights. I want to build up my core muscles so when the extra skin is removed you can see a 2 or 4 pack LOL. I'm not going to buy a lot of supplies. I may buy a body pillow for comfort. I already have a chaise lounger in my bedroom so, I may camp out on that for a while because I don't want to invest in a chair. When I had my hernia repair the surgeon had to cut my muscle to put the mesh under it then he did a MR on my lower muscles and that was painful but with a lot of meditation I was off my pain pills after 2 days so, I am hoping the pain of the TT won't be more intense. I have a high tolerance for pain and has had over 5 abdominal surgeries. I am praying that this one will be my last and a great success.

Replies (1)

October 14, 2016
Had TT three weeks ago. Only took pain pills the first three days. You will be really sore and it hurts like crazy when you cough. Hold a pillow to your stomach when you cough. There is a lot of tightness and swelling. Every days gets better. Hope this helps.
UPDATED FROM Rucute2
1 month pre

Pain Relief

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Rucute2
I have been reading a lot of different post about exparel. I assumed that it was used standard on every TT with MR but after reading post I noticed that it is not. I went into a slight panic and immediately emailed my Dr office. Luckily the Dr can use it if that's what I want and it is only $300. I say only because I have read where some places charges much more. I'm normally not one for medication but I had a minor MR on my lower muscles during my hernia repair and can we say painful. So, I can only imagine my rectus muscles. I want them nice and tight because I exercise a lot and would like to keep building them so I can have a cute 4 pack.

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