I have my appointment!!

[EmileeKaye]

I have my appointment with the PS I feel I will be using. My mom works with her and sees how she works and feels she is one of the best in this area. So I got my appointment today for November 2 and if all goes well will try to get surgery for the end of November, beginning of December.

The two surgeries I am thinking about getting now is the thigh lift(but really scared of doing this!) and getting my boobs done, which will probably mean implant and a lift. Although they have told me they shy away with the lift on woman who haven't had children yet. Which would mean a bigger implant to fill out my deflated balloons. I'm scared, excited, nervous...all that!

I will also be talking about an arm lift and tummy tuck...but know those will be more in the future.

Oh and lipo...will be talking about lipo too.

So, it seems more like on here people have had the tt and breast reductions....anyone have implants? I am so nervous about doing this. Would love to hear more from ya'll who have had any PS.

The thigh lift especially scares me....eek! But I NEED it and I WANT it!

[Tricia K.]

Good for you, sweetie! I know that you've been wanting this for a while. I look forward to reading about the appt. and what the doctor says.

BTW, my appt. is for Nov. 1st. We can compare notes, ok?

[EmileeKaye]

Haha, deal! You plan on looking into arms and breasts correct?

[Tricia K.]

Belly, thighs, arms & breasts...yeppers!

[EmileeKaye]

Do you have any questions planned on asking ur surgeon?

[Tricia K.]

Not yet but I plan on doing some major research prior to my appt. so that I'm armed and ready. You?

[EmileeKaye]

Same....just nervous as hell. Its not like they will be performing the surgery that day, it just feels like such an important day. I will be getting my list ready...we will have to help eachother out, since we are the only cool people in here. :-)

["Just" Paul]

I have a PS consult on the 23rd.

Looking at some abdominal lipo, and what to do with the excess skin on my abdomen, it's really starting to bother me. I do SOOO much abdominal work, and this jiggly skin covers all my hard work. yuck.

We'll see. The PS shares an office with my band doc, so she REALLY knows about dealing with weight loss patients, and in particular, BANDED weight loss patients.

The two biggest concerns... recovery time, and cash!

[EmileeKaye]

I wonder what kind of worry you have to have with the tubing and port during any ab lipo? Question number one I guess.

Let us know how things go with your appointment Paul! I'm wondering about the cash factor too! Its the money I should use to help with a down payment on a future home....but, I'm young and I want the outside to show that a little bit.

["Just" Paul]

Emilee,

Don't know how that works with the port and tubing, but she has experience working with banded patients, so I'm assuming she'll know. Also, my port is almost starting to show, so I may have to deal with changing to a low-profile port (I hate the idea of port replacement).

As far as the cash goes, I'm in the DC metro area, so it will not be cheap, I'm sure. We'll just have to see.

BTW, you're young and single (right?)... hold off on the house. Lots of work for a lone person (I speak from experience, owned an old house before I got married)! Trust me! Rent is good! lol

Then again, if you walk around in that red dress more, you'll get a lot of "volunteers" to help you out around the house. Put em to work, I say, just remember MOST men actually are NOT good with tools, they just claim to be! lol

[EmileeKaye]

Well, like they always say, plastic surgery is not something you want to go to cheapest with. No bargain hunting. But living in the midwest I assume things might be cheaper on my end. My doctor is from the NY/NJ area and seems to have a great background.

Now that I think about it, I should prolly make an appointment with my band doctor before the PS one....see how he thinks things are going and ask him some questions.

One thing I have wondered about is the port and pregnancy. Paul you prolly wont be able to help out on this one, but I wonder if the port pops out when you are prego after banding. I mean I can feel mine now pretty well and its right next to my belly button.

[Telly]

OOOOh how exciting! EmileeKaye, Tricia and Paul are all about to talk to Plastic Surgeons. Please let us know how things go and what they tell you.

[HeatherGurl]

Congrats girl! I can't wait to hear what your Dr. has to say. How exciting!

[Tricia K.]

LOL @ Emilee!

When I talked to my ob/gyno about pregnancy, she didn't have any concern about the port sticking out nor did my lap band surgeon. My ob/gyno has delivered 2 babies by women that have the lap band in the past year. Both pregnancies were normal w/ no complications. And, both delivered via c-section.

I guess my main questions would be concerning recovery time, scarring, amount of skin removed, and expected results. I'm sure after doing my research that I'll have plenty more.

Telly - I'll definitely keep you posted on what the doctor says.

[Telly]

Well, like they always say, plastic surgery is not something you want to go to cheapest with. No bargain hunting.

Very true, I 1000% agree with this statement, however....there are very affordable surgeons with great facilities who just happen to be abroad.

"You get what you pay for" isn't always a true cliche.

How awesome would it be to find a very affordable Board Certified, Plastic Surgeon, Board Certified Anesthesiologist, R.N.'s and instead of a Surgical Tech, he had another Surgeon assist him in the surgery... that has impeccable skills, references and a high tech facility? It's not too good to be true, it is true.

I'd rather pay 4k to a surgeon that will provide the exact same, if not better services than a doctor charging me 6-8k.

To some, money may not be a major factor but to many..it is. You just need to do your research.....thorough research. I did research on 4 surgeons since April (my lapband surgery) and Dr. Romero ...though affordable, fit my bill of a doctor qualified enough to perform this delicate surgery on me.

Great things do come in small packages!

["Just" Paul]

You got it Telly.
I will be looking at more than one option on this.

I just wanted to consult with this doc as she shares a facility with my band doc, but I may need to look elsewhere as well. I have a feeling that she may be WAY out of my affordability range, and there are indeed other qualified docs out there, here and abroad.

[Telly]

There you go Paul. Just do yourself a favor and try not to stereotype abroad docs. I know you haven't, but in case it's frolicking in your head... Just call offices, speak with staff, maybe schedule an on phone consult with the Surgeon, his patients (there are patients with cover stories, pictures that will allow you to call them and ask them all kinds of questions. They're on a "can call me" list. I did. :)

[chrispygal]

Congrats Emily, and good luck! (You too Tricia and Paul!) A question for the ladies - do you have any concerns with the plastic surgery and pregnancy? Meaning would you consider getting a tummy tuck before you have kids?

And, if this gets too personal let me know - but is there a big change in your chest since you've lost the weight? How has it changed? I've already had a reduction (12 years ago) so I'm curious what will happen to them as I lose the weight. How ironic would it be if I needed implants to fill out my chest after losing 100 lbs!

[EmileeKaye]

I will not be having a tummy tuck until after I have had children. I'm twenty and know I want to have many kids in the future, so I will have to endure wearing a girdle or whatever to keep the loose skin tucked away.

I have always had "saggy" breasts. Lol, seriously, puberty hit and it wasn't pretty. When I had the surgery and I was at my heighest of 303 I wore a size 44DD at this point I am sized in a 38D and really..its mostly skin. I think if I only had a lift done, where they removed the skin and kept the tissue, I might be a B, truly. And on my body frame, I need large breast...and I want them ;-)

[chrispygal]

Thanks for sharing Emilee. I understand that totally. When I had my reduction I still wanted to be chesty - just not obscenely so. I was a 38D after surgery. Now that I'm about 60lbs heavier, I'm a 40DD but probably should be wearing a 40DDD. But at least I'm proportionate. Before my shirts would bell out I had so much of a chest.

I have to say getting my boobs done, albeit a reduction, was one of the best things I ever did for myself. You'll feel so much better about yourself and your clothes will fit better as well. I think you really will LOVE your new boobs! I've knicknamed them my $10,000 tits. Thats what insurance paid for them. Definitely let me know how you make out!

[Tricia K.]

My consultation today didn't go well. The plastic surgeon I met with was condescending, uncaring and extremely short with me. She kept saying I needed this surgery and that surgery. When I told her I wasn't planning on having any plastic surgery until after I had a child, she gave me the dirtiest look one could imagine. I guess she just wanted my money...and soon! Ugh...oh well.

I plan on waiting to meet with another plastic surgeon until I'm ready to actually have surgery. One thing is for sure, I will NOT be going back to the one I met with today!

I hope you have a better consultation, Emilee. :hug:

[503-250]

TK (Totally Krunchy) I wouldn't even remember this experience, move on see another PS and treat this last one as a bad memory. I met with two surgeons who did WLS before meeting my surgeon. One surgeon actually demanded a 150 dollar consulation fee in cash not covered by any insurance. Thankfully I found out before meeting with him that my insurance would not cover this surgeon...the funny part is, insurance eligibility is not dealt with until after your 150 dollar meeting. He also only schedules the meetings in groups, and only has them when he has ten or so people to see. One surgeon harassed me about having the surgery with him to the point that I had to threaten legal action if he didnt stop contacting me.

Meantime...my actual surgeon...the nicest guy on the planet...his staff is wonderful and I have not had a single problem with them.

[Telly]

Tricia sorry to hear that your appointment did not go so well. I know doctors hate wasting their time b/c time is money. Especially plastic surgeons. They want their money now and if they want to give a free consultation then they assume you're ready to do something. Don't worry about it.

I think part of their money making scheme is to say you need this and that so that they can help you develop a more worse complex about yourself, in hopes of getting more work done. They should allow the patient or potential patient to only tell them what they want and then if the patient asks for advice or suggestions, then and only then should the plastic surgeon chime in on recommendations with regards to what surgeries would be beneficial.

Dr. Romero was not the same way but I did feel a bit insulted when he said I will need to come back for more lipo around my ribs or back as I had 3 rolls, lol. I got upset but mehh, he has an eye for it and I'm sure he wouldn't lie to me. Yes I developed a complex about my back now. Psssh!

I'm sorry you had this stupid experience.

[Tricia K.]

Thanks, 503 & Telly. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with surgeons as well. Ugh! :hug: Telly...I hope you get over that complex very soon because you're gorgeous, inside and out.

I realize that she probably thought I was wasting her time, but how else am I going to determine who I want to slice me open unless I meet with them? I'm the type of person who researches well in advance of getting something done, which was my reason for going to her prior to getting pregnant. I had planned on scheduling a consultation with another well-known plastic surgeon in the near future as well.

This woman is supposed to be the "go to" plastic surgeon in our area. Maybe she thinks she can get away with her snotty, superior attitude because people still pay for her services and she's so highly sought after. That may be fine for some people, but it doesn't fly with me. I certainly won't "go to" her for any reason again.

[EmileeKaye]

I'm so sorry to hear ur appointments didn't go well. I ended up skipping my appointment to stay in Texas a little longer. Now can't get another one till January. But after my trip i think I want to be waiting on the surgery anyways, and maybe i was rushing a little. But would still love to hear what a doctor says and see my options.

And i will be needing my money for another tip coming up, a move, and school....ugh real life.

But I am still thinkig I will be looking into doctors and thinking about a summer surgery.