36 Year Old Mom of 5 is Ready for Full Tummy Tuck at Penn Plastic Surgery Clinic - Philadelphia, PA

My children are 7, 9, 11, 14 and 19. 4 out of 5 of my babies weighed over 8 pounds. I am 5'3.5" and 159 lbs. I've had two non pregnancy related surgeries that left me with a vertical scar from belly button to pubis. I have a lot of loose front belly and scar tissue that leave me with what is best described as a front butt. I'd like to look down and see my lady-bits without a hand mirror. I'm tired of hiding behind over-sized clothes. I'm sick of wearing waist-cinchers and sucking it in. I will never accept this belly, so it's got to go.

I had my consultation with Chief Resident Surgeon Dr. Jonas Nelson and also met with Dr. Murphy. The program has 250 applicants of which, 3 are chosen to participate. Dr. Nelson was 1 of those 3 selected. That's 3 out of 250 or a 1.2% chance of him being selected. That's top notch.

I will see him a second time before surgery. A Board Certified Attending will oversee the abdominoplasty.
The procedure is reasonably priced. (A private office I service as a Medical Courier, charges $5000 for the physician's fee alone.) My hospital fees will cost the most: $3600. Due to my scar tissue, my procedure may take a bit longer. The fees depend on the amount of time needed in the OR. Without this program, I wouldn't be able to afford the surgery. And if it weren't for RealSelf.com, I wouldn't have know it even existed.

After having my first child, the elasticity of my belly was shot. My body will never be the way it used to be pre pregnancies; however, it can be better than what it is. Most of my old scar and stretch marks will be removed. We all deserve to be happy with ourselves. Nearly 20 years is far too long to be unhappy with something that can be fixed. Time to fix it and forget it.

So, my surgery is two weeks from today. I've paid my Physician's fee deposit and full balance for anesthesia. I am prepared to settle up for the remaining balance once the Chief Resident Surgeon's Assistant calls me to take my payment. The hospital fee is due 1 week pre op.

I purchased a new mattress set because I was waking up to stiff body parts from sleeping on the old lumpy one. Now between the bed risers and tall mattress, my bed is way too high to consider climbing into post op. I researched step stools for about a week. If it's still too much of a challenge, I'll be couching it for a while.

I plan to return to work 12 days post op. Since what I do involves some lifting of medical supplies and mail, I'll have a helper. I shouldn't lift more than 10 lbs for about a month. Since it will be nearly 2 weeks when I return, I'll likely have the helper for 2 weeks.

My dad is coming into town from Va to help me. Plus, my 20 year old will be assisting me with my younger kids, meal prep, etc. My ex husband may lend a hand as well.

I recently cut my hair short. I had long hair for about a decade. 3 years ago, it was just above my rear-end. About a year ago, it was mid back. Now, it's a chin length bob. When I actually take the time to style it, I love it bc it's cute and sassy. But when I'm a bit lazy with it, I sometimes think to myself, "I can't believe I cut my hair!" but hair can grow back.

It got me thinking...

I can't ever imagine having such a thought after this belly is cut off! I will not regret cutting the loose skin and fat. And I ain't neva growing it back!

If I had to choose, I'd be bald-headed with a flat tummy over having hair to my butt and a jelly belly.

So, after perusing the reviews on here, I narrowed down what supplies I may need. I've purchased a compression garment from Leonisa.com. I had a 10% OFF coupon for being a first time customer and received free shipping. I bought a Wound Care Kit from CVS, some earplugs to keep my belly button open, Scar Away silicone strips for softening the scar later on, and Vitamin E skin oil for once I'm healed.
My new Uline hand-truck arrived. It'll make whatever medical supplies my helper and I retrieve, easier to transport.
My step stool came too and is a great piece of furniture... However, it was secured in a box with a border and darn near an entire roll of packing tape. It has never taken me longer to open a package in my life.

I'll be meeting with Dr. Jonas Nelson again on Friday and the big day will be the following Thursday.

Because I'm under 40 and have no serious medical conditions, I will not require labs. Plus, I had a physical in April. Just in case, I had my Primary's office fax over blood test results from April since they're valid for 4 months. I figured it couldn't hurt.

In the past, I've tried Renu Herbs by Robin Anthony for detoxing and cleansing. So, I decided to get some of her tea to use once I'm off pain meds. I viewed a video on here suggesting that you should cease taking all supplements, except for Vitamin C, two weeks prior to surgery. So, I'll resume my multi's, Biotin, and B12 after.

You can stagger your payments a bit, but you really should have the loot already set aside for the big event.
There was a fee for my initial consultation. There are likely fees for each additional visit.
Once a surgery date was set, I paid a deposit to secure it.
I received a letter that broke down the due dates of my remaining balance.
First, I had to pay the remainder of the Physician's Fee/Abdominoplasty
Then, I had to call Anesthesia 2 weeks before surgery to pay for 3 hours.
Finally, I had to call Patient Access/Cashier Dept 1 week prior to surgery to pay for the 3 hours in OR.

Since everyone's situation is different, I didn't include actual costs. The ladies on here who have also gone to the Penn Plastic Surgery Clinic both had lower costs and different circumstances. What I can say is that the cost of Anesthesia and reserving the OR, is based on time slots. I.e., Two hours costs a certain amount etc.