just wondering when some of u guys decided to get plastic surgery. i thought about waiting untill its been a year or so after my surgery and lost all my weight getting the tummy tuck, lipo on the inner thighs and putting my boobs back where they belong. how much does this stuff cost? any well rough estimates of what it cost those you who had it done. i know that everyone charges differnt but just wanted a rough idea.also, did anyones insurance pick it up?i have heard alot of insurance companies dont want to pay but hey this skin hanging isnt healthy nor does it feel good. thanks everyone

My suggestion is that you have it done after you have gotten to your lowest possible weight. What you don't want to do is have the procedure done and then lose more weight...you'll have some sag. It's better to get low and then add a few pounds (sort of like backfill).

I had a full body lift with implants and had it done over the course of two years and five procedures. The only part that was covered was the tummy tuck and I had to jump through lots of hoops to get the insurance to pay. You need to get what needs to be done in writing from your insurance carrier. No guessing with these guys. As for cost, I don't even want to get into that. It was a big investment. I'd suggest getting some free consultations from your local plastic surgeons. If you know anyone that has had success with someone, then by all means...visit them first! I loved my surgeon the minute that I met her, but she wasn't the least expensive in the area, that is for sure.

I agree with Kim - Get to your lowest weight, and learn to maintain it for a period of time.

For me? I want a chin/neck lift!! - as soon as I win the Lottery

Most plastic surgeons won't even consider doing surgery until you are aleast a year to a year and a half out from surgery. They want to make sure that your weight has stabilized and that you are maintaining. Also, it is such a personal decision. I would ask your surgeon to refer you to some good plastic surgeons. Go for a consultation and see what they say. Good luck and keep us posted. I am seriously contemplating having plastic surgery myself so I am interested in all the info I can get. Hugs.

Sorry I cant help with the after.. im still on the before side waiting to win the lottery too!!

Hi,

I agree with Kim, of course, and everyone else. Wait til you are at your lowest and have maintained it for awhile. I could have had plastic surgery after 3 years but I was SO afraid of the pain of the tummy tuck that I waited. I had 3 procedures, all at the same time, when I was almost 4 years out and that's been a year ago now. I think it is very important to like and trust your surgeon. Mine came highly recommended to me by 3 separate, unrelated people, weird! When I met him, I knew he was the one. He changed my life, really. I had a full tummy tuck, a breast lift with implants and my upper arms done. I love each part, it was totally worth all the money and all the pain. Cost varies as to where you live of course, but don't go with the cheapest! You get what you pay for, usually. I wouldn't even consider it, til you've maintained a "healthy" weight for at least a year.

The procedures made me feel more "womanly". I will say though, even after a year and being totally healed and loving the way everything came out...sometimes when I look in the mirror I still see the fat person. I have to remind myself how far I've come from being morbidly obese and some days it isn't easy! I'm hard on myself and I'm sure everyone can relate to that!

Good luck to you and do some research about whatever procedures you want done. Be informed!!!

Hugs!

Krista, I am repeating 3rd hand information from a woman I work with. She is 3 years out, had a baby about 12-18 mos after WLS and just had a full body lift (arms, tummy tuck, boobs, and thighs) Jan 23 2008. From speaking with her, our insurance covered a portion of her tummy tuck, that was it. She told me it is/was between $12-15K out of pocket here in Columbus, Ohio. She has not yet returned to work. If you are interested in talking with her, she is due back early March and she will probably share her experience, surgeon name, etc. Let me know.

This is not yet on my horizon as I have another 40-50 lbs to go. But, slowly but surely, the weight is coming off (put on size 14 pants this weekend! big achievement)

I would defnitely ask your surgeon for a recommendation to a PS> If your surgeon has been around for a while they have to have referred lots of patients. I am in love with the surgeon that I had a consult with. I can't wait until life gets all in order and I am able to get my work done :) Its probably going to be about another 5 yrs at the rate I am going but it was still nice to have a couple of consults once I was close to goal to get an idea of what was iin store and the cost. I don't know if California is just more expensive but both the PS that I had a consult with and the one my mom got her work done with were quite a bit.

My estimate for TT and Breast augmentation and lift was 20,000

My moms procedures Same as mine with lipo in 5 places was 28,000 Both including an overnight stay at the hospital