POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
36 Years Old, No Children, 100 Pound Weight Loss (TT W Lipo & Vertical Incision, BL W/ Implants) - Huntsville, AL
ORIGINAL POST
So, I had my consultation with my PS today. At...
smartEpantsSeptember 2, 2015
WORTH IT$19,800
So, I had my consultation with my PS today. At first I thought he'd recommend a body lift, but in the end, he said that it wouldn't make enough of a difference to go through the recovery, so just doing a tummy tuck. Apparently I really AM big boned and my hips are fairly wide structurally, so the chance isn't worth it. I have a long incision down the center of my stomach from gastric bypass in 2001 (back before it was done laproscopically), so he will be reopening that scar to remove the bulge above my belly button and narrow in my waist. He's doing lipo on my abs, hips, back and waist to enhance the contour.
I'll also be getting a breast lift with implants. My weight loss left me with a 38D (long - ha!). I have pretty extensive asymmetry as well, so I think we're estimating a 400cc on one side and a 275cc on the other to even them out and give them a good, high shape. I can't tell you how excited I am to have breasts that won't point at my feet.
At this point, I don't know which concerns me more - the $20k price tag or the 8 hour procedure. It's going to be a long day. It will feel like seconds for me, I'm sure, but I'm not thrilled about the idea of being out that long. In the end, though, I decided I just wanted it over and done all at once. I'll update as we get closer.
I'll also be getting a breast lift with implants. My weight loss left me with a 38D (long - ha!). I have pretty extensive asymmetry as well, so I think we're estimating a 400cc on one side and a 275cc on the other to even them out and give them a good, high shape. I can't tell you how excited I am to have breasts that won't point at my feet.
At this point, I don't know which concerns me more - the $20k price tag or the 8 hour procedure. It's going to be a long day. It will feel like seconds for me, I'm sure, but I'm not thrilled about the idea of being out that long. In the end, though, I decided I just wanted it over and done all at once. I'll update as we get closer.
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Replies (8)
October 9, 2015
The 20K, 8 hours and everything in between is worth it. Trust me!!
December 4, 2015
How is everything going? Did you go through with your surgery!! Hope everything is going good!!
December 5, 2015
It happened and all went fine. Thanks for asking.
UPDATED FROM smartEpants
3 months pre
Preparation Suggestions
smartEpantsSeptember 6, 2015
I've spent hours going through other people's posts and I am getting kind of overwhelmed. I find one with good info, then I can never find it again. Hoping maybe some of you will answer my questions here.
For those of you with day jobs, did your company cover this under their short term disability like other surgeries? I'm worried they'll tell me that elective procedures aren't covered although the paperwork doesn't say so. I'm trying to take off all of December but I don't have enough vacation for all of it.
How long did your PS put you out of work? I have a desk job, but being up and about after all the work I'm having done seems like a stretch. I don't want to make the swelling worse than it will already be.
I'm planning to stay with my mom the first few days. She's recently had her knee replaces, so she has a lift recliner, walker, potty lift, shower chair, etc. What are the things that made life bearable that first week?
How long was your procedure? My doctor says it should take 8 hours, which makes me nervous. I've never been under that long. I'll stay overnight at their facility so they'll keep an eye on me the first night.
Lastly, what is the one hing you wish someone had told you before surgery?
Thanks everyone in advance.
For those of you with day jobs, did your company cover this under their short term disability like other surgeries? I'm worried they'll tell me that elective procedures aren't covered although the paperwork doesn't say so. I'm trying to take off all of December but I don't have enough vacation for all of it.
How long did your PS put you out of work? I have a desk job, but being up and about after all the work I'm having done seems like a stretch. I don't want to make the swelling worse than it will already be.
I'm planning to stay with my mom the first few days. She's recently had her knee replaces, so she has a lift recliner, walker, potty lift, shower chair, etc. What are the things that made life bearable that first week?
How long was your procedure? My doctor says it should take 8 hours, which makes me nervous. I've never been under that long. I'll stay overnight at their facility so they'll keep an eye on me the first night.
Lastly, what is the one hing you wish someone had told you before surgery?
Thanks everyone in advance.
Replies (7)
September 30, 2015
I had about 3 weeks off before I went back. Idk about the time off being approved since I was out because it was summer (I teach), but I'd say I could've easily returned to a desk job in 2 weeks. Perhaps they'll allow you to return part time? That would make the transition for you and your body easier?
My procedure was about 6 hours and because of that I had plenty of congestion.
Here comes the one thing I wish I would have known: it hurts to cough! A lot! Congestion = coughing lol. I eventually learned to bend over and push my stomach in, but that took awhile. My whole life would flash before my eyes. I'm 9 weeks post op and it still hurts, but now it's bearable lol.
Also, your back will hurt quite a bit since you can't walk straight. Just remember it'll get better a day at a time! :)
My procedure was about 6 hours and because of that I had plenty of congestion.
Here comes the one thing I wish I would have known: it hurts to cough! A lot! Congestion = coughing lol. I eventually learned to bend over and push my stomach in, but that took awhile. My whole life would flash before my eyes. I'm 9 weeks post op and it still hurts, but now it's bearable lol.
Also, your back will hurt quite a bit since you can't walk straight. Just remember it'll get better a day at a time! :)
September 30, 2015
Thanks! I was thinking if I don't leave leave approved, I would look at working part time or telecommuting the week of Christmas. Nothing is going to happen that week anyway.
I am not excited about the prospect of coughing or sneezing. My worst case scenario would be to catch a cold after the surgery.
I am not excited about the prospect of coughing or sneezing. My worst case scenario would be to catch a cold after the surgery.
October 8, 2015
Elective Cosmetic procedures do not fall under FMLA leave. It's up to your supervisor whether they will allow the time off and the policy of the company of using time off. I had enough vacation and sick leave, with enough left over, to take 2 weeks off. My supervisor understood my decision and she is looking into her eyes and the MMO I'm getting!
October 8, 2015
Thanks. My boss is fine with it. Our company has a short term disability that would pay me to be out, and I can't see anything about elective procedures, but I won't know for sure until the doctor returns the paperwork. If not, I'll be back at work after two weeks. I wish I could take the whole month of December, but I don't have enough time. Fingers crossed.
October 9, 2015
I've already had my surgery but continue browsing just to see what other people are going through!! I thought I was going to have to take vacation for my surgeries and I was terrified about going back to work after only a week off (tunny tuck and breast lift no implants). I didn't think there was anyway I would get FMLA but I did!! My doctor wrote me out for 5 weeks and I go back October 19. I left the name of the procedure blank at first so my paperwork originally said "plastic/reconstructive" and that's it. My job needed more info and I told them it was a tummy tuck and that was it! I thought I would have to explain my weight loss, the skin and all that but she didn't need any of that. I also had 130 pound weight loss. Most people look at a tummy tuck as cosmetic and it really isn't that way for everyone! To work your butt off to lose weight only to have all this extra skin is tough. I hope you get approved bc i can't imagine having gone back in a week. It's not that I was in a lot of pain but dealing with drains is a lot of work. Not sure if you'll have those but research them if you think you will!
I stayed with my mom and grandma the first few weeks but I only needed them for maybe a week. Definitely take the pain meds even if you don't think you need them to begin with. That helped me a lot, I think that's why I've had such an easy recovery. Getting up is tough bc you don't want to hurt your stomach so if your mom can help you there, that makes a difference. Also stool softeners, miralax, compression stockings are good. My surgeon didn't say anything about stockings and I have a hematoma in my left hip and I think those stockings would've prevented that. My procedure was 5 hours. I wish someone would've told me more about the risk of hematomas before surgery. They're not dangerous in this case but after surgeries like this, you're not doing much walking and I truly believe these stockings would've prevented my hematoma. I hope this was helpful and I wish you the best of luck!! Doing this was the best decision I ever made and I hope it's the same for you. :)
I stayed with my mom and grandma the first few weeks but I only needed them for maybe a week. Definitely take the pain meds even if you don't think you need them to begin with. That helped me a lot, I think that's why I've had such an easy recovery. Getting up is tough bc you don't want to hurt your stomach so if your mom can help you there, that makes a difference. Also stool softeners, miralax, compression stockings are good. My surgeon didn't say anything about stockings and I have a hematoma in my left hip and I think those stockings would've prevented that. My procedure was 5 hours. I wish someone would've told me more about the risk of hematomas before surgery. They're not dangerous in this case but after surgeries like this, you're not doing much walking and I truly believe these stockings would've prevented my hematoma. I hope this was helpful and I wish you the best of luck!! Doing this was the best decision I ever made and I hope it's the same for you. :)
October 9, 2015
Hopefully it works out for me that way. I'm hoping to take four weeks and come back after the new year. Fingers crossed.
I actually have some compression stockings in my Amazon cart to order. Thanks for the recommendation.
I actually have some compression stockings in my Amazon cart to order. Thanks for the recommendation.
December 4, 2015
Hi! Congratulations and good luck on your surgery. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday December 8th 2015. I'm having a tummy tuck, breast lift and liposuction on abs and flanks. I have a desk job as well, but I'm going through FMLA aND it was APPROVED.. I'm covered for 6 weeks. Again good luck!
UPDATED FROM smartEpants
3 months pre
Vertical Incision TT
smartEpantsSeptember 6, 2015
I wanted to see if anyone out there had a TT with both the horizontal bikini incision and a vertical one. I have excess skin above the belly button and the PS said this would narrow the waist well. My skin is wrecked with stretch marks, so I'll never have a flawless bare able belly but I'll take flat any day. I ask because I've heard some people have issues healing at the point where the two scars meet.
I'll see if I can get the miserably horrible photos from my doctor to post soon.
I'll see if I can get the miserably horrible photos from my doctor to post soon.
Hi there, and welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I hope you'll get loads of great tips and advice from this very supportive community. Please keep us up to date. Good luck :)