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What's the difference between tunescent liposuction and regular lipo? Cheryl

Thanks, Sue and Dawn. I especially appreciate the prayer. I will be having my surgery done by Dr. Mangubat. One of the assistants is a bariatrics surgeon. He is now a 'fellow' in the reconstructive/cosmetic surgery field. I found him by searching the internet. I had two other consultations. One was with a very nice doctor, but she wanted to charge me over $10,000 for a 'modified' tummy tuck. That didn't count the cost for hospital of another over $2500.00. That was after the payment that she would get from my insurance co for a panneculectomy. That was just too much. On top of that, they never returned phone calls and I had to wait too long at my appointments. I actually had a surgery date. I was working with her from January. I am anxious to see what comes of this. I go in today to get a slight unfill. I think that will make the surgery a little more comfortable. I will keep you informed on how things go. I am going in at 11:00 tomorrow morning, surgery at 11:30. I expect it to take around 4 hours. I will have the TT, lipo to the waist, tummy and hips. He doesn't think I will need a muscle repair. He's concerned about my large gallbadder scar and how it will heal. Have to see about the blood circulation in that area. I will trust God that all will go well. I will not be spending the night-- and-- NO DRAINS. That is one of the best parts. He says I should be able to return to work in about 10 days-2 weeks. Although, I plan to stay out for 3 weeks. Sorry this is so long. Cheryl

Hi everyone. My name is Cheryl and I live in the Kent area. I was banded 2 years ago by Dr. Oh, like so many of you. I have lost a total of 87 lbs and have been at 114 lbs for the past several months. I will be having a Tummy Tuck with lipo done this Thursday morning. I am very excited, but a bit nervous :biggrin:, also. Have any of you had a TT done? I know Merrillee (I hope I spelled that right) will be having one on April 1st. Cheryl

Good Morning. Has anyone had their TT and Lipo (waist and hips) done in a day surgery clinic and gone home the same day? How was it? How about spinal instead of general anesthesia? Cheryl

I will be having my TT with lipo on Thursday morning. Can tell you more after that. Cheryl

Hi everyone. I've been following all of you through your TT surgeries. What an inspiration!! Now I need some advice. After watching LBT-Cosmetic Surgery, I know this is the place to go for help and answers. I feel like I know you all. So, here goes. I was approved for a panniculectomy last week. I went to see my PS yesterday. She said that her fees would still be $7,400 for a full tummy tuck, $9,400 for it to go around a bit in the back, so as not to have 'dog ears', and $11,900 to have the whole 180 degree lower body lift. On top of that, I would have to pay for part of the surgical room costs (she would be starting/stopping a clock during surgery). I have no idea how much that might be, but would figure at least $1,000-$2,000. I thought insurance should pay for more. She said that if I only have the front done, she could do it in her surgical suite (with local), and I could go home the same day. The insurance is paying 100% of the hospital stay, and I don't want to be awake. It seems like most of you paid about this for your surgeries----self pay---no insurance. I live in Western Washington. My surgery date is set for April the 18th, but she said that she could get me in much quicker, like in the next two weeks. They are calling today with some dates. What should I do? Oh yeah, I'm 5'4" tall and weigh 115-116lbs. I've lost 85 lbs in the last 2 years. I was banded on 3/30/06,(self paid banding). I need advice, please.

Sharon, Thank you for your reply. I'm wondering about the cost. Should it be so much to upgrade from a panniculectomy to a TT? By the way, I'm 56 years old and don't want a model's body, but I would like my tummy area flatter. A panniculectomy doesn't do the muscles. After 2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, etc. I think I need muscle repair. It just seems that the quote from my PS is the same as those without insurance. I know that I will pay what I have to in the end. I want to make sure I'm getting a 'fair' deal.

Julie, I found out last week that my insurance will cover the pannectomy (sp). I went to see my PS today (she's the one who submitted to my insurance co.). I was very disappointed. The pannectomy will cost me nothing. But, if I want the muscles tightened and the upper abdomen done it will cost an additional $7400. To have the incision go around a bit in back so as not to have any dog ears, It will cost an additional $9,200. To have the 180 degree lower body lift will be an additional $11,900. These prices would include hospital and everything. That seems awfully high if my insurance is paying for all hospital costs. I live in the Seattle, Wa. area. I am having to think hard about which surgery to have. Cheryl

Merrillee, I had lap band by Dr. Oh in March of 2006. I just got my insurance approval for a TT. I am scheduled for April 18th. I will be just behind you. I started out at 200 lbs and am now 115 lbs. Does your TT doctor do the drain thing? Are you having the mini TT, or the full TT? How did Dr. Oh take it when you told him you were going with someone else? Has your TT doctor worked on people edband? Do you know when the St. Francis support group meets? Thank you. Cheryl

Kat, I just got approval from my insurance company on Friday. I'm so excited! I see the PS on Thursday and should get my surgery date at that time. I had the lap band surgery on 3/31/06 and have lost 85 lbs. I now weight 115. I will get the extended TT (although my PS would like to see me get the lower body lift. My back isn't bad, but my bottom is horrid. Keep us informed on your insurance status. That was the hardest part, the wait for approval. Cheryl

Dr. JLo, Have you done a TT on a patient with a large gallbladder scar? My scar is about six inches long diagonally on the right side. I've been told that this may be a problem. I, also, have scars for lap band surgery, 2 c-sections (vertical), hysterectomy (horizonal), and appendectomy. :thumbup: Has anyone out there had a TT who had a scar gallbladder? Thank you.

ljm - Thank you for the photos. I have been watching your progress since early January. You gave me the confidence to go forward with my own TT. I got insurance approval yesterday. I am scheduled to have the TT on April 18th. I am very excited. My PS said that there may be some concern with the gallbladder scar. May have to revise later, or something like that. Yours didn't have any concern? Mine looks like a zipper. I never knew that it was called that.

I've had two c-sections and a hysterectomy. Has anyone been able to use this procedure as a kind of TT and had it covered by insurance? What was the surgery like? How long in hospital? How long out of work? How did it come out? Any other information would be helpful.:help: Thank you. Cheryl