HappygoSusan

Thanks anyway! I read these forums daily, I'll just try posting more responses!

You look great. Don't let a label drive you crazy!

Great job!

I completely agree. Just make sure you're getting enough water. I don't think anything appealed to me the first six weeks. I was so excited to be released to a normal diet at 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's advise, and know this too shall pass.

I know what you mean. It's a big deal to trust somebody with your body and life ! Keep searching until you feel it's right for you.

i I didn't realize Tricare did not cover the full tummy tuck. I have read on this site that a lot of insurance companies only cover the panni, so that most either only get that or pay the difference. Have you conferred with your WL surgeon to see if they recommend a PS?

I've not seen anything but the results of a tummy tuck. If Tricare covers a full tummy tuck I certainly would go with that. The recuperation from the tummy tuck isn't bad, and the results are worth it. Have you looked online for pictures to compare the difference. What are your concerns? Pain? Recuperation? Scarring? My scar does run from hip to hip, but it is completely covered by bikini panties. I never even used the prescribed pain medication after leaving the hospital, and I'm not sure that the recuperation time is any less for just the skin removal. I would think your PS will be able to tell you which will give you the best results. Best wishes

How's the search going?

I'm 6'. I'm currently maintaining between 157-160. I've had a tummy tuck, which allowed me to get into a size 8!

While I was trying to reply to a thread about the iPhone ap freezing, my phone froze and I had to restart it. When will there be an update?

I was too addicted to caffeine to give it up prior to surgery. I drank my last cup the day before surgery and have not had caffeine post surgery I figured, correctly, that post surgery pain meds would get me through the withdrawal headache. I was too worried about irritating my sleeve to drink it after being released from the hospital. By my 6 week follow up, I was use to decaf and found I could drink it black if I made it strong. (which is what I do at home) At coffee houses, I order lattes with non fat milk and Splenda or sugar free syrup. I still want COFFEE, but figure I've made it 19 months decaffeinated so why start the habit again.

RIGHT!

Congratulations!

Good job! Congratulations.

Have you checked the Tricare website to confirm what they will cover and what needs to be documented for authorization? Print off a copy and take it to PS before he submits your paperwork.

Which MTF? I had mine done at Ft Carson, and had a very positive experience. The staff there is excellent and the follow up care is very extensive. I had no need for pain medication after they took me off the pump, post surgery and had an uneventful recovery. In fact, 18 months later, I had my tummy tuck there and can say the exact same thing about the experience. My only complaint post tummy tuck was that I couldn't pee after they removed the catheter, and they had to reinsert. That was not so much painful as it was uncomfortable. They simply drained my bladder, and per their prediction, I was able to pee on my own after that. My stats: SW 286 CW 161 BMI 21.8 I would do it all again Best wishes as you make your decision as to what is best for you.

My PCM is actually in the MTF. I asked tonight at my support group and was told that you can use a MTF if Tricare prime is your secondary insurance. They will just bill your primary first and then bill Tricare for any remainder. If you are near a MTF, just call general surgery and see if they do tummy tucks there. If so, I'm sure they can tell you what you need to do to get a referral. Have you already seen a Civilian PS? My original referral was to a civilian surgeon for WLS, but I wanted the sleeve and that wasn't covered by Tricare . It was however an option at the MTF. I called general surgery directly to find out why I was sent yo them , they checked my records , saw no reason why I shouldn't be seen there and just took over my referral. Once i was in their system, the surgeon there has been in charge of my WLS care and follow up care, including approving me for the tummy tuck at that facility.

Hi I am on Tricare prime and had a tummy tuck in May. My procedure was done at a MTF by the same surgeon that did my sleeve. It is my understanding that by using the MTF, it is not actually paid for by Tricare, so I am not sure what is involved in getting a referral to a PS and approved for the surgery. I hope you can get some more informed responses to your post. Good luck, Susan

Hang in there. I felt like I didn't take in any nutrition for the first six weeks. Couldn't stomach protein shakes, yogurt was gross, eggs were too. I lived off of water, and it had to be ice cold or it bothered my stomach. I became obsessed with lemon and just sucked the juice out if it. At 6 weeks follow up , I was given the go ahead to introduce solid protein and I was in heaven. As long as you are getting enough water, you will survive. I hated life, was tired all the time, but I made it!

Sherry I had a thigh lift about 7 weeks ago. My surgeon took the incision from my bikini line, to curve around my buttocks. I could not sit comfortably for almost 4 weeks. The stitches were just too tight to bend. At my 6 week checkup, I was released to go back to the gym. I am not working thus summer, but I don't think I would of been able to do so before 5 weeks. Before that, bending to pick things up was hard and sitting for long periods of time was impossible. Check with your surgeon and see where you will be cut. Mine said I would be bending better at two weeks, but it took longer for me to feel any improvement. That being said, pain was not an issue. I had thigh lift and tummy tuck at same time and never needed pain meds after they took me off of the morphine drip at the hospital. I got the prescription filled, but never used the pain meds. Also, I can't imagine having upper body work done at the same times as thighs, I had to use my arms to get up and down.

Still recovering. It's a difficult area to heal since it's constantly getting pulled with movement. It is inner thigh and the incision goes around my but tucks to the back. Inner thighs look much better. I'm not sure I would do it again because I hate the lengthy recuperation. The tummy tuck was much easier.

I had forgotten about this thread. Glad to see it resurface. I am 18 months post op. I am 6ft tall, was 171 pre tummy tuck. Had a tummy tuck, thigh lift on May 27, and now weighing between 163 and 165. I was hoping the tummy tuck would get me into a size 8, but I hold steady at. Size 10.

Congrats! I'd love to know any more details you could provide regarding having plastic surgery paid for by insurance! Which insurance company do you have? Did they pay for skin removal/tightening and/or full tummy tuck? What issues were you having with your skin, I.e. What would cause them to consider the surgery medically necessary vs cosmetic? Please feel free to PM me! Thank you & hope you're pain free soon!I have Tricare (my husband is military) but my procedures were done in a military treatment facility not by a private physician. That means although I was referred to a WLS initially, Tricare didn't pay for the sleeve. The MTF is a military hospital but treats dependants of the soldier. They have an extensive WL treatment plan there. Pre surgery care and post surgery follow up is Extensive, to include that my WL surgeon also has extensive practice in doing tummy tucks (which is what I had). At each follow up appointment for the year after my surgery I was asked generally if I were having skin issues. Then specifically:Itching Rashes Smell all was documented. My surgeon had the final say so as to whether I needed the tummy tuck. With my documented issues at each appointment, I think starting at 3 month appointment, he was able to approve me for tummy tuck. More importantly, because of the WL support group I attended as part of my pre surgery requirement, I met others on whom he had already performed a tummy tuck and saw his beautiful work ( any where from a weeks to years post op) and felt extremely comfortable trusting him with my tummy tuck)

I am so excited/nervous. I'm going in tomorrow at 0615 for a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift. I had the sleeve in February 2013. Lost 115 pounds. I had the sleeve at a MTF and the same surgeon does tummy tucks. I have seen quite a few examples of his work at the WL support group here at FT Carson. I cannot wait to have my stomach look as good as the other ladies in this group! The same MTF has a plastic surgeon. Since I am already in surgery for the tummy tuck(insurance paid) the plastic surgeon will do my thighs during the same session. I am so much more anxious about this than the sleeve. It

The muscles were tightened. Pain is minimal. I have not experienced any upper body work, but I hear arms are painful. I do know that I'm using my arms a lot to get up and down. I would think you would just need somebody around to help you get up and down (bed, toilet, etc)I haven't been told when I can shower, but I think bathing is going to be interesting , if allowed, in the next few days.