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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

6 weeks PO tomorrow and really unsure

Name: 6 weeks PO tomorrow and really unsure
Item: Dr. Stephen Paulsen
Rating: 5
Author: ewozobski

ORIGINAL POST

Little bit about myself... I am 25 years old and...

ewozobskiApril 25, 2012

$8,000

Little bit about myself... I am 25 years old and just finishing my master's degree in athletic training. I plan on pursuing my doctorate in physical therapy in the next year or so, but right now plans are kind of on hold, so I figure why not take care of myself while I wait! I have struggled with my weight for as long as I remember-- I was always taller than most of the kids in my class in elementary school but then I stopped growing, so the weight caught up with me. In high school I played softball and was quite active but still struggled with weight, until I became a workout fanatic. I unfortunately developed somewhat of an eating disorder and lost a ton of weight, very quickly... which has now left me with a lovely "pouch".

Throughout the years I put most of that weight back on, until I had my gallbladder removed in 2007. After surgery I could hardly eat anything without being sick so again I lost weight. Again, I gained most of the weight back. I recently have completed the HCG diet and lost about 35 pounds. I'm 5'6 and ~145 pounds... I feel like this is a realistic weight for me, and with my extra skin removed I'd feel much more confident with my body. My mom is on board with this idea, but my dad not so much.

ewozobski's provider

Dr. Stephen Paulsen

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So far my experience with Dr. Paulsen has been great. Everyone from the front desk staff to the nurses to the doctor himself have been so friendly and willing to assist me with any questions or concerns that I have had. Dr. Paulsen never acts like he is too busy to answer questions and will spend as much time with you as is needed.

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UPDATED FROM ewozobski

Yesterday I went ahead and scheduled 2...

ewozobskiApril 25, 2012

Yesterday I went ahead and scheduled 2 appointments with plastic surgeons for consultations. One of the surgeons I saw about 3 years ago when I was contemplating having some work done, so I pretty much know what to expect from him. The other surgeon is female and supposed to be very good. Both of my appointments are scheduled for May the 10, about 3 hours apart from each other. I'm not sure if it is good or bad to schedule them so close together, but it just worked out that way. My mom will be accompanying me to my appointments. I have already started to compile a list of questions and concerns to discuss with the doctor. For those of you who have done this before: what are some questions that you would recommend asking at the first consultation?

Replies (4)

newmomat37

April 25, 2012

Make sure you have enough time in your scedule to recover. Ask if doc will also be doing muscle repair, not everyone needs it, especially if you haven't had kids but usually a successful tummy tuck requires MR as well. Ask if they also tighten the obliques, not all docs do, in fact most don't but it helps give you the hourglass shape. Do you plan on having kids? Personally, I would wait until after children b/c you tt might get destroyed but later pregnancies, but you should discuss this with your PS.
Remember, any doc can be a cosmetic surgeoen, special certification and training is required to be a PS (plastic surgeon). Make sure your doc is a board certified plastic surgeon. You may want to ask what their revision policy is. Do they have you stay overnight? Some docs do, some don't. I did stay overnight and thought it was a huge help. You are pretty out of it and it was nice to see the doc first thing in the a.m. the next day without having to go anywhere. Look at lots of before and after pics. Ask them to draw on you where the incision will be. Some end up very unhappy with the old school, high, smiley face incision that can not be covered up under todays low cut bikini bottoms. Best wishes. :)

ewozobski

April 25, 2012

Thank you so much! Some of those questions I had not thought of yet, especially concerning revisions. At this point we are unsure if I'll ever be able to have kids because the docs are pretty sure I have PCOS and never have been able to have regular periods... plus I don't even have any love interests at this point. I feel like its better for me to take care of my emotional health than worry about having kids some time down the line... in fact if I had a boyfriend right now I feel like I'd be less incline to do the surgery... I know that is vain, but true. I am definitely only going to see board-certified PSs, I've heard too many stories of plastic surgeries gone wrong. My mom always says that if the PS has to advertise on TV/Radio then they're not busy enough with clients and you don't even want to go to them, so I've had to do a little digging to find the ones I want to go see. Have heard great things from my primary care about both, so hopefully the consults go well.

Madison5269

April 30, 2012

good luck! your consult is coming soon. you will know the right doctor immediately! be sure to ask about scar placement, how you want your belly button to look. let us know how it goes!

ewozobski

April 30, 2012

Thank you! I am so excited for my consult, it is just about a week and a half away... which I'm sure will pass by rather slowly. I will definitely keep you all posted. Hopefully I'll be able to choose between the 2 doctors- I hear they are both fabulous so I imagine it'll be a tough decision.

UPDATED FROM ewozobski

Just called another plastic surgeon for a consult,...

ewozobskiMay 1, 2012

Just called another plastic surgeon for a consult, making it a total of 3 doctors that I will be seeing. My mom had her annual visit with our general practitioner today (who is also my doctor) and she recommended the doctor I will be seeing on Monday. She said he is one of the best in town, and I definitely trust her opinion, so we will see. When I called the office staff didn't seem too outgoing or friendly, but I also understand they were having computer issues today, so perhaps the scheduler was just stressed. I got in a lot quicker than I thought, with my appointment being this coming Monday at 10:30 am. I'll keep you all posted :)

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