Plastics: Before & After (post your pics here!)

[Graciesmom04 184]

@@bayougirlmrsc With fat grafting, they take the fat that is liposuctioned from other parts of your body and inject it into areas that are less "plump". My particular surgeon is a specialist in this when it comes to butts. Of course, you have to have fat left in other areas to Lipo from in the first place, so it might not work for someone who is all the way down to goal and doesn't have any/much stored fat anywhere else on their body. Then you would have to resort to implants or gels and that seems a bit more scary to me!

How long does it take to recover from these type of surgeries? I'm just newly post-op, but even after just losing 61lbs so far, it's all a saggin'. I'm looking ahead and saving and am blessed with summers off so the time doesn't worry me, but wondering how long you're down for? I was cash pay for my sleeve, so am also wondering cost?

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

It depends on what procedure. Breast augmentation and reduction seem to be faster recoveries. However, from what I have read and heard from others, the recovery for things like the Tummy Tuck, lower body lift or thigh lift can range anywhere from 4-6 weeks before you are comfortable enough to return to work. Some, whom have sitting jobs, have claimed to have returned after 3 weeks. It is a full 3 months to complete recovery, and about 6 months to see final results due to continued swelling. Again, my plastics are not until June 9th, but this is from my doctor and from reading others personal experiences. Total cost for my surgery--which includes the lower body lift, tummy tuck, spiral thigh lift and breast augmentation--is $21k. This includes doctor fees, hospital fees, care facility 3 day/2 night post-op care, and all post-op visits. My doctor has 25 years experience, 15 years specializing in post massive weight loss surgery. It is imperative that you find a doctor that is experienced in post massive weight loss. Our body and skin is not like somebody seeking a mommy makeover.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

How long does it take to recover from these type of surgeries? I'm just newly post-op, but even after just losing 61lbs so far, it's all a saggin'. I'm looking ahead and saving and am blessed with summers off so the time doesn't worry me, but wondering how long you're down for? I was cash pay for my sleeve, so am also wondering cost?

If you read back to earlier posts in this thread, you will see that the recovery time for everyone is a little different and also depends on the types of procedure(s) you have. My recovery was especially long, because I had some complications with swelling of the soft tissue in my lower back which caused me a LOT of pain and discomfort. I was originally scheduled for 4 weeks off of work, but ended up having to come back for half-days for a couple of months after that due to my complication. Some people recover much more quickly and have no complications. Either way, I would recommend at least 4 weeks off if you are having multiple procedures at once and ESPECIALLY if you are having muscle repair done along with your Tummy Tuck.< /p>

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I follow a Facebook plastics group and I have noted over the years that the people who have "fast recovery" often wind up with complications. Plastics are a big deal and it is really important to eat healthy, take your Vitamins and extra Protein and REST enough to recover. I had extensive work done, was off work for 6 weeks and didn't resume physical activities for a few more weeks after that.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

@@Graciesmom04 Keep in mind i only had TT and a small amount of Lipo on back.... surgery was Feb 15, 2012 and was back at work Feb 27, 2012.... but i have a desk job and a very high tolerance for pain. I stayed over night with a morphine pump and was grateful for it. I slept my first week in my recliner... Day three i was walking down the block and back. After have many surgeries i found that the more i moved around the better i felt. I had zero complications. I also had no drain tubes. My incision was from hip to hip... Not all the way around. I would say my walking was kind of like the Evolution chart... I started out as the monkey way bent over and in two weeks i was walking straight.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I would say my walking was kind of like the Evolution chart... I started out as the monkey way bent over and in two weeks i was walking straight.

Ha! I love that image. The recovery house I stayed in provided walkers, so I spent the first two weeks doing my little walks around the recovery house and back yard with a walker, all hunched over. By the time I was flying back home. I was walking upright like a human again.

[AZDee 138]

Here are a few of my before and after Plastic Surgery. I didn't take too many photos before...     Not too bad for a 60 year old lady!

And Newsetofcurves you are going to love your results! Dr Peter Fisher is amazing...he will be doing my long thigh lift later this summer...can't wait!

Edited May 26, 2015 by AZDee

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

@@AZDee I didn't get the long thigh either. I have trim legs except for the skin. It is funny that I am very okay with my other scars but the thigh lift scars worry me. Curious as to your thoughts on that since like me you are "pretty dang good" right now.

[AZDee 138]

@@AZDee I didn't get the long thigh either. I have trim legs except for the skin. It is funny that I am very okay with my other scars but the thigh lift scars worry me. Curious as to your thoughts on that since like me you are "pretty dang good" right now.

Just yesterday, my friend who had the "works" done came to visit me and I was able to see her scars 6 months out from her very long thigh lift and they are healing very nicely. She was the one who had the thigh lift that went down about 8 inches past the knee. I don't plan on doing anything like that just down to the knee. I have always carried the majority of my weight in my legs and I have really wide knees and after weight loss I have so much left over skin that the inner lift didn't help the knee area. I am lucky in the fact I heal really well, so the scars turn white in know time and since I naturally am so white it all blends. As long as I have a fine line incision I am pretty good and both surgeons that I used and plan to use are trained as Micro-Surgeons so they cut and sew very nicely. Hopefully this will be the end, I hate to be close and not completing it all...

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

My arm scars are only visible after a hot shower - they still turn a bit red. I was dating and always intentionally went sleeveless on the first "meet and greet" thinking it was a good way to begin the reveal. anyway.. never worked because nobody noticed!

I try to tell myself the thighs will be the same but I guess i have it in my mind that I will never wear dresses without nylons or shorts if I get a long thigh lift. It really is a mindset issue.

Flipside, I don't "need" it. I have a great life just the way i am. Like you however, it is sort of tantalizing to realize how awesome my arms, tummy, breasts are and realize i could have firm thighs with no rubbing if only I did the long lift....

anyway, what would make a bigger difference is to get those dang face injections I keep mentioning! Although, right now, I am feeling wonderful with how I look. (would like to bottle that feeling up and use it like perfume on bad days..haha!)

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

That is an incredibly good price for USA based plastics. I was getting quotes for twice that... or more, spread over 3 surgeries...

It depends on what procedure. Breast augmentation and reduction seem to be faster recoveries. However, from what I have read and heard from others, the recovery for things like the Tummy Tuck, lower body lift or thigh lift can range anywhere from 4-6 weeks before you are comfortable enough to return to work. Some, whom have sitting jobs, have claimed to have returned after 3 weeks. It is a full 3 months to complete recovery, and about 6 months to see final results due to continued swelling. Again, my plastics are not until June 9th, but this is from my doctor and from reading others personal experiences. Total cost for my surgery--which includes the lower body lift, tummy tuck, spiral thigh lift and breast augmentation--is $21k. This includes doctor fees, hospital fees, care facility 3 day/2 night post-op care, and all post-op visits. My doctor has 25 years experience, 15 years specializing in post massive weight loss surgery. It is imperative that you find a doctor that is experienced in post massive weight loss. Our body and skin is not like somebody seeking a mommy makeover.

[AZDee 138]

And to think I talked with this surgeon before I went to Mexico for my LBL (which was good but did not get my long thigh lift)but I was sure he was going to be very expensive due to his credentials so I never sent in my photos. Then when I did meet him several months ago after the urging of my friend, his first words to me were, "Finally we meet, I thought for sure you were coming to me for your LBL" I should have sent in my pictures and got my quote as I would have already had the long thigh lift with the LBL. And then to find his prices the same as what I paid going across the border, WOW that was a big mistake on my part. Don't get me wrong, I have no issues on my Mexican surgery, I just needed more work than that surgeon was able to do. So now Dr. Peter Fisher will be finishing my Plastics with the long thigh lift and the much needed Lipo of my saddle bags!

Edited May 1, 2015 by AZDee

[MichiganChic 3,262]

My arm scars are only visible after a hot shower - they still turn a bit red. I was dating and always intentionally went sleeveless on the first "meet and greet" thinking it was a good way to begin the reveal. anyway.. never worked because nobody noticed!

I try to tell myself the thighs will be the same but I guess i have it in my mind that I will never wear dresses without nylons or shorts if I get a long thigh lift. It really is a mindset issue.

Flipside, I don't "need" it. I have a great life just the way i am. Like you however, it is sort of tantalizing to realize how awesome my arms, tummy, breasts are and realize i could have firm thighs with no rubbing if only I did the long lift....

anyway, what would make a bigger difference is to get those dang face injections I keep mentioning! Although, right now, I am feeling wonderful with how I look. (would like to bottle that feeling up and use it like perfume on bad days..haha!)

I did have the long thigh lift, and I wouldn't do it unless there was just no other option. You had asked me early on to let you know what I thought about it, and honestly, the scar isn't that bad, and once it fades, will be a non issue. However, it didn't make my legs tight and smooth. They were pretty hideous before, and strangely uneven. Now they are less hideous and still a little uneven. I had that seroma for months, had it reopened, and ended up with some residual swelling in one foot (I'm still hopeful that it's temporary). I still have a LOT of cellulite, which the surgery doesn't always address. So, unless you have something that is really awful, (like me, with drippy deposits of lumpy fat) I wouldn't do it. Just my opinion, but it's a lot of risk.

I am looking at some tweaking. I'm probably going to need some liposuction in the larger leg, and also need a redo on my butt lift. My legs were just so heavy that they pulled the skin and things are drooping again. Still way better, but I've seen people have plastics for less. I wouldn't be thinking about doing anything else but that larger leg is uncomfortable in pants, and my saddle bags are little freaky looking to me in certain stances.

I am also of the mindset that I'm not seeking perfection. I'm mostly happy with the way I look in clothes (other that the saddlebags and bigger thigh). I know I'm never wearing shorts that are shorter than knee length, and never wearing dress without nylons (I still haven't worn one shorter than maxi). I look way, way better!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

@@MichiganChic you have the right mindset...not perfection.

I had the small lift and it solved the problem of a lump showing through my jeans (i had a ball of skin and cellulite up high inner thigh). My legs look great in jeans, fine in skirts but you know...not awesome like my arms. I think i am gonna just sit tight because you are right. ..there are risks. In terms of aging gracefully it would be more impactful to invest in my face and hair.

It is just hard to let go of the notion that I "could" have better thighs.

Btw Dr Sauceda would have done either procedure but counseled me to do the "small" lift due to the "improvement" vs scar tradeoff. The scar for the upper thigh is nearly invisible so he was right on that front. My breast scar is invisible. The arm is visible but faint. The back of the LBL is the most visible but front not bad. So..results vary and no guarantees what a long lift would give me.

[My Bariatric Life 764]

He did an awesome job on your butt lift. But how in the world did he get so much improvement in your thighs without doing a thigh lift? The backs and inner thighs in the after photo look vastly improved!!!

@@AZDee

Here are a few of my before and after Plastic Surgery. I didn't take too many photos before...userimage-213988 (2).jpguserimage-213987 (2).jpgPicMonkey Collage.jpgpicmonkey_image (2).jpgIMAG1382.jpg Not too bad for a 60 year old lady! and Newsetofcurves you are going to love your results! Dr Peter Fisher is amazing...he will be doing my long thigh lift later this summer...can't wait!