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POSTED UNDER Thigh Lift REVIEWS

I'm Ready for Round 2 - Getting Thighs and Backside Done!!!! - Northbrook, IL

ORIGINAL POST

I had Round 1 done back in April of 2014 after a...

pepper66
$17,000
I had Round 1 done back in April of 2014 after a 100 pound weight loss - TT/BL/BA and was very pleased with the results. (I did do a review here on RS for that surgery). Since then the surgeon I had relocated his office to Colorado. I like his work, but not enough to go to Colorado...lol. So I began my search for another surgeon who would help 'finish' me. I consulted with 3 surgeons. One was recommended by a friend, the second was recommended by my previous surgeon and the third I choose after doing my research. The first one I did not go to see as his office person stated he charges $255 for a consultation - for each procedure! AND it was only for 20-25 minutes. She said if there wasn't enough time to take pictures or measurements and needed to come back/or had more questions after that it would be ANOTHER $255 for the visit. Ummmm, I think i'll pass.

The other surgeons had either no fee/modest fee for their time. They both took their time to discuss their plan of action with me, the procedures, expected outcomes, recovery, etc. However, they both had very different plans, both with pros and cons. I do believe aside from the typical information we base our decisions on, gut instinct also plays a part. It was an easy decision for me. I chose the third surgeon, Dr. Daniel Krochmal and booked my surgery for April 13th. After speaking with Dr. Krochmal, I felt not only did I choose a surgeon who understands where I came from and what I am looking to achieve, but also one whose surgical results will exceed my expectations.

I am so excited about moving forward in this transformation journey of mine. I have a lot to prepare for. I will continue to update this review and post before/after pics.

pepper66's provider

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

pepper66 rating for Dr. Krochmal:

Overall rating

Replies (3)

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March 15, 2016
I am very interested in your new thigh lift journey! I have a consult for a thigh lift on April 8th! I would love to see pictures and hear about your experience!
March 19, 2016
Hi! You look wonderful! You've had quite a journey as well. Congrats. I look forward to hearing how your consultation goes. I will be posting pics soon too...before, during and after. Next step for me is blood work on Monday.
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August 18, 2017
Looks good. You may need one more round for perfection.
UPDATED FROM pepper66
1 day pre

Only 2 more days!!!

pepper66
I can't believe it, my big day is this Wednesday. Only 48 more hours to wait! Here are the dreaded before pictures that were taken by my doctor. As embarrassing and horrible as they are, they are also a reminder of how far I have come in my weight loss journey. That I am still and always will be on this journey. I've been prepping everything that I can to get ready, but have certainly had some challenges on the way. My friend who was supposed to stay with me the first 3 days had to back out to care for a family member and my back up friend's husband went into the hospital last week for a heart attack. I've been scrambling and have managed to secure a ride there and a ride home from a couple other friends, but will not have anyone to stay the first night with me. I will have people to check in on me, but I am trying to think positive that I can handle it until my parents arrive. (My parents are driving 14 hours to come stay with me to help, but cannot make it until friday). I will update more information on my procedure and what I've done to prep for it to share with others who may be considering this surgery. This forum has provided me with much insight, information, and support. Only 47 and a half hours to go!!! :-)

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM pepper66
12 days post

Purse string Gluteoplasty and Thigh Lift - Pics 1 week post-op

pepper66
Wanted to do an update sooner, but have been focused on recovering. On 4/13 my doctor performed what is called a Purse String Gluteoplasty surgery on my butt and a vertical thigh lift. The purse string procedure is a little different from having just a butt lift done. With the standard butt lift an incision is made from hip to hip, excess skin pulled up/removed and stitched back together. This commonly results in a flat butt afterwards (which may or may not need implants/fat transfer if patient desires a 'butt bump'. The procedure Dr. Krochmal performed is different in that he defines a circle around each butt muscle, stitches it and then tightens it (picture pull strings on a purse/tote bag) which results in that area being 'bumped' out - giving the butt a 'natural' implant and the final result having a natural 'butt bump'. In addition to this, he performed a vertical thigh lift, incision from inside groin down the center of the inside of each thigh to the knee.

Although the doctor has told me several times, due to swelling I cannot judge the results for at least 2-3 months, but as we all know when you finally choose to have this degree of surgery performed, we start judging it the moment we wake up...lol (sorry, but it's the truth!). I'm uploading pics that were taken 2 days after surgery. I can definitely tell a difference in my lower thighs, and as you can see in the pics, there is a big difference in the amount of excess skin that is no longer on the outside of the thighs. The butt however, I'm not so sure about, just yet. I can tell the folds of skin are gone, but the left butt cheek looks somewhat 'deformed' at this time and the left hip is protruding much further than it did before. I'm hoping and praying that this is going to change over the course of the next 2 months as the swelling subsides - which of course my doctor told me it would - and it's going to look like a normal smooth butt/hips. The thighs have been healing well, no infections or separations (knock on wood!). I'm not too worried about the 'rippling', my doctor told me that will smooth out over time as it heals. I've been following my Dr's orders to the "T", taking my medication (along with arnica montana and bromelein for bruising and swelling). He does not have me in a compression garmet, but I still wrap my thighs in ace bandages as it feels better to have the support. Using ice packs also helps with the inner thigh discomfort. I have another follow up appt with him this wednesday. I'll keep updating as my recovery moves along.

Replies (2)

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April 25, 2016
I am happy to see you up and moving a bit! How is moving with your thigh lift??? I am getting my inner thigh lift on May 13th and I was so happy to see your post! I am the most worried about going to the bathroom (I got the go girl already so I can stand and pee for a few days) and getting in and out of bed! How are those going for you? I agree with the doctor about swelling and judging things! When I looked at the butt flap enhancement my doctor did when he did my lower body lift in the first few weeks I would have said why did I do this?? But now six months out from that surgery I love it and see where it was going!! Keep on resting! I hear that is the best thing for a thigh lift and I plan on doing that when I have my surgery! I also heard that mens boxer shorts are more comfy then women underwear after a thigh lift so I stocked up on the women boxer shorts from old navy! Just keep thinking how great you will look for the summer!
April 26, 2016
Hi! Congratulations on your upcoming big day, it'll be here before you know it. As for the moving part, I was up and walking the night of the surgery - baby steps, but I was moving...lol. It was not as painful afterwards as the TT was, which surprised me. The incisions on my thighs remind me of my TT - they feel very 'tight', which consciously limits what I do as I'm terrified I'll split the stitches open. Bending is definitely an issue - I purchased a 'grabber' on ebay for $6 and it was the best $6 spent - has come in handy more often that I thought it would. Going to the bathroom is challenging, I had a riser from when I had my TT done, which helped greatly, however constipation was a huge problem. I had started stool softeners prior to surgery but they did not help. Suppositories/enema were needed, and wish I hadn't waited so long to use them as sitting to try to go is very uncomfortable. I purchased a larger size ladies underwear (as I have stitches from hip to hip on the backside as well), but will admit it was just easier going commando under baggy sweats/capris the first week. Getting in/out of bed and down/up off of toilet is so much easier if you have someone to help, I also purchased socks with the grippers on the bottoms to help avoid slipping as I have wood floors. Keeping the incisions dry is important too, my doctor is using paper tape on my incisions, so after a shower (and you know how exhausting that can be!) I use my hair dry on the 'cool' setting, hold it far away and dry my tapes quickly so that I can get dressed and get back to laying down. Another idea I got from the boards here on Real Self, is to tape a shaving razor ( I got disposable one) to a wooden spoon/ruler/etc. I can tell you it came in very handy!! Oh, and have at least 4 ice gel packs ready so you can alternate them. Thank you so much for the words of reassurance regarding the looks of things so soon. It's that fear I think many of us get afterwards that something wasn't done right or something went wrong. I keep reminding myself it's too soon to judge and I'm sure the results will meet my expectations. Patience is definitely needed when you go through such transformations, as is confidence in your surgeons' ability and skill to do what he does best. I go in tomorrow to see him for my 2 week post-op appt, I'll post updates.