My Plastic Surgery Thread

[sillykitty 10,774]

I'm starting my plastics journey this week! Creating this thread as a place to gather my thoughts, and gather opinions as well.

My priorities

1&2 - Tummy & Boobs

3 - Thighs

4&5 - Butt & Arms

Specifics for each area

Tummy - low & thin scar, natural looking belly button, and lipo/conturing to narrow my waist as much as possible

Boobs - augmentation & lift, VERY important that my boobs look natural, thinking D cup with tear drop Gummy bear implants

Thighs - do not want a full thigh lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift, or as part of a lower body lift

Butt - either a fat transfer (BBL) or buttock lift with a dermal fat flap as part of a lower body lift

Arms - do not want a full arm lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift

I reached out for consultations with 5 surgeons who specialize, or do a fair amount of surgeries on massive weight loss patients. I have #1 & #2 choices, and have consultations scheduled with both on Friday 😁 Interestingly neither of my top choices charge a consultation fee, but the three others do. I am seriously considering canceling my other consultations to see #1 & 2 first, before I invest up to $750 on consultation fees.

Anyone have opinions if I should just see #1 & #2 first, or is it worth the investment in consultation fees to have more surgeons quotes?

My #1 surgeon does lots of lower body lifts. I hadn't originally considered this because I'd rather not have the circumferential scar. But his results are amazing, and at least in the posted photos the scars are very thin. It may also be the only way I can get most of my wish list accomplished in one surgery. I have seen where he has done a lower body lift & a breast lift & augmentation in one surgery. That would only leave arms to tackle at some point later, if I still wanted them fixed.

Here's an example of the work of my #1 surgeon

Edited August 19, 2019 by sillykitty

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Congrats! Can't wait to follow your journey!! Wish I had something constructive to add, but you're gonna rock it! (And that surgeon's work looks beautiful!!) Good luck Friday!!!

[Deedee12 1,860]

I'm starting my plastics journey this week! Creating this thread as a place to gather my thoughts, and gather opinions as well.
My priorities
1&2 - Tummy & Boobs
3 - Thighs
4&5 - Butt & Arms
Specifics for each area
Tummy - low & thin scar, natural looking belly button, and lipo/conturing to narrow my waist as much as possible
Boobs - augmentation & lift, VERY important that my boobs look natural, thinking D cup with tear drop Gummy bear implants
Thighs - do not want a full thigh lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift, or as part of a lower body lift
Butt - either a fat transfer (BBL) or buttock lift with a dermal fat flap as part of a lower body lift
Arms - do not want a full arm lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift

I reached out for consultations with 5 surgeons who specialize, or do a fair amount of surgeries on massive weight loss patients. I have #1 & #2 choices, and have consultations scheduled with both on Friday [emoji16] Interestingly neither of my top choices charge a consultation fee, but the three others do. I am seriously considering canceling my other consultations to see #1 & 2 first, before I invest up to $750 on consultation fees.
Anyone have opinions if I should just see #1 & #2 first, or is it worth the investment in consultation fees to have more surgeons quotes?
My #1 surgeon does lots of lower body lifts. I hadn't originally considered this because I'd rather not have the circumstantial scar. But his results are amazing, and at least in the posted photos the scars are very thin. It may also be the only way I can get most of my wish list accomplished in one surgery. I have seen where he has done a lower body lift & a breast lift & augmentation in one surgery. That would only leave arms to tackle at some point later, if I still wanted them fixed.
Here's an example of the work of my #1 surgeon

Congratulations on your journey!!!! I'll be following!


I honestly won't pay consultation fees for a very saturated field where you can see their body of work as well as their profile in terms of board certification, how long they've been practicing, their reviews and mortality/severe complication rate.

I see the reason they want a fee but it's only for their benefit because you may more likely than not go with someone you paid a fee for because you feel beholden especially if they say they'll add it to your final cost. That seems self serving on their part. Especially when what you are trying do is shop around.


No consultation fee shows that the physician is comfortable and sure of their work and when they sell it to you, you pick them because they are good and you felt comfortable with them to go forward and that fosters a trusting relationship in my opinion.

Most plastic surgeons I know here in AZ do not require a consultation fee. You see their work and either love them or leave them.

That sample work looks fantastic [emoji108][emoji108][emoji108][emoji108]

Good luck!!🧡[emoji169]🧡[emoji169]🧡

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[sillykitty 10,774]

34 minutes ago, Deedee12 said:

No consultation fee shows that the physician is comfortable and sure of their work and when they sell it to you, you pick them because they are good and you felt comfortable with them to go forward

I agree with this. I think my #1 & #2 choices don't charge fees because they are very confident in their work, as they should be from the pics and reviews they have online.

But on the other hand, I do understand the surgeons who do charge fees. Their time is valuable, and it weeds out anyone who isn't truly serious about surgery.

[FluffyChix 17,415]

"skin in the game" literally and figuratively.

[ValerieInMexico 162]

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I agree with this. I think my #1 & #2 choices don't charge fees because they are very confident in their work, as they should be from the pics and reviews they have online.

But on the other hand, I do understand the surgeons who do charge fees. Their time is valuable, and it weeds out anyone who isn't truly serious about surgery.

A small fee would be OK, like $50, that is the fee charged by those locally. I would agree that the other two are very confident and know you will want them. Who is #1. That is amazing work!

[sillykitty 10,774]

6 minutes ago, ValerieInMexico said:

A small fee would be OK, like $50

Yeah, I wouldn't hesitate about $50. But the sum for these three surgeons consultation fees would be $750 😳

[Sophie7713 3,269]

It will be really exciting to follow your next phase to plastics! Thank you for sharing this with us. Surgeon #1 work is amazing! He has created a truly gorgeous figure for this woman with little trace he was even there. And, with time, as she continues to heal - the thin scar lines will likely continue to dissipate into her skin. What an art and a science! It's hard to believe the other 4 surgeons could beat this masterpiece?

While I cannot speak to the medical plastics profession (I did read the article posted earlier and agree with both perspectives) in my particular practice as a creative professional - I always charge a consultation fee. In our highly saturated marketplace here with an abundance of the often unqualified and low caliber - A clients ease in paying this fee establishes a trust, a value and sets a positive precedence of high quality. Invaluable information and customized, thoughtful advice about their personal project is addressed at this first meet to include my travel time, gas and milage to the site from studio. A consult fee does separate the men from the boys (tire kickers, so to speak) in seeking a mutually rewarding, respectful and successful future collaboration. I am able to give my best when I feel appreciated and well compensated for the wisdom, experience and design acumen engaged.

Personally, I would visit 3 - 5 surgeons regardless of a fee or not. The $750 you might invest is a very small percentage given the overall tab to the seriousness, very personalized and long term commitment to your health, happiness and well being. I feel you are worth exploring all viable options, and the peace of mind that will evolve as you compare, ponder and ultimately - make the best decision without regret or wonder. A fee or no fee would not influence my pursuit of a private consultation; the opportunity to learn more; to meet their staff and understand their aftercare; And, to experience the overall personality of their practices. The quality of the hospitals and/or surgery centers they utilize would also be a mitigating factor.

No doubt, you are about to embark on a remarkable (and, a little scary, too) endeavor that knowledge and familiar repetition will serve to empower! Continued best wishes in researching and selecting the very best surgeon for you and your needs. So happy and excited for you. ;]

Edited August 20, 2019 by Sophie7713
repeat word

[BlueAngelEyes 164]

How exciting the new you gets a new body! You are going to love whatever you have done. Take a before bikini pic and then a couple months after so we can all be envious.

[catwoman7 11,212]

all of my consults charged a fee. They were something like $100-150 for each one. I can totally understand this as you're taking an hour of their time, and there's no guarantee you're going to go with them. I can see why they wouldn't want to spend a huge chunk of their day seeing people for free who may not even become patients of theirs. They'll usually apply the consultation fee to your surgery if you decide to go with them. I don't think it has anything to do with confidence as two of my consults were with nationally-known surgeons who work with massive weight loss patients. People come from all over the country to have surgery with them.

that said, if you're really opposed to these fees, then go see what #1 and #2 have to say. If you're not crazy about either one or they have wildly different ideas on what needs to be done (and some do...), then it might be worth it to pay a fee to a surgeon #3 for a tie-breaker if you really can't decide.

my first two surgeons had very different ideas on what to do with me. One was nationally known and the other an up-and-comer who seemed very competent and had done a boatload of these surgeries. I was kind of thinking it might be better to go with the nationally-known one, but I wasn't 100% sure. So I decided to go to a third surgeon, also nationally-known, for his opinion. I knew his quote (not the consult fee - but his quote for the surgery) would be way more than the other two because he's known to be pricey, but I figured it was worth the $100 to at least get his opinion so I could decide between surgeon #1 and #2. Well, I liked him so much I ended up going with him, although that's another story...

most surgeons put the LBL scar below your underwear line, so I wouldn't worry about that. You can't see mine at all if I have my underwear on - and even then, it's SUPER thin, so it's not obvious even when I'm clothes-less!

[sillykitty 10,774]

Sooo, I did two consults last week. I went with the two first that didn't charge consultation fees. Even regardless of the fees, they were my top 2 choices from pics and reviews online.

The good news is they both had nearly identical recommendations. They were both kind and professional, and I felt like they really listened to what I want.

In speaking to the surgeons, here is my revised wants list

Lower Body Lift - this would include Tummy Tuck, Lipo, outer and front of thigh lift, monsplasty, and fat transfer for butt lift.

Inner Thigh Lift - could be combined with LBL & would be a good compromise to have a concealed scar vs the more extensive scar of a medial thigh lift.

Breast Lift & Augmentation - both surgeons said this would have to be a separate procedure, unable to combine with the LBL due to time under anesthesia & surgeon fatigue. Both did not recommend the teardrop Gummy bear. They said it works better in theory than IRL, and I can get more natural results with traditional round silicone implant. Both said recovery time would only be 2 weeks of no traveling. So that makes it possible to just slip this surgery in sometime next year. But I will probably look for a plastic surgeon that specialized in BA/BL vs one who specializes in massive weight loss. BL/BA's are so common & i don't think my breasts are significantly different than a women's who had children & breastfed, I could find a more convenient and potentially less expensive option.

The bad news is, surgeon #1's quote was INSANELY high. Like I could buy a small house in Kansas for that kind of money.

Surgeon #2's quote was significantly less crazy, but still a big chunk of change.

The more I look at surgeon's #2 pics, and after the consult, I'm leaning away from going with him. He only does weight loss patients. Therefore he does a lot of My 600 lb Life type stuff. He seems more focused on removing skin and fat, then true body contouring, if that makes sense? I just don't know if I would be aesthetically happy with my body afterwards. Contrast that with surgeon #1's extreme focus on aesthetics. I am confident I'd get the best results with surgeon #1, but the cost seems unreasonable.

So I'm broadening my search to other surgeons in the country that specialize in massive weight loss. The LBL & thigh lift are not very common outside of post bariatrics, so I want a specialist for those. I contacted my #1 out of state choice for a consultation, and learned he is retiring and not scheduling any new surgeries

The pressure is on to book a procedure. Understandably my December time frame is very popular, and I absolutely need to have my procedure done in a pretty small window due to wok commitments.

I'm a little disheartened by the process right now

[catwoman7 11,212]

27 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

Sooo, I did two consults last week. I went with the two first that didn't charge consultation fees. Even regardless of the fees, they were my top 2 choices from pics and reviews online.

The good news is they both had nearly identical recommendations. They were both kind and professional, and I felt like they really listened to what I want.

In speaking to the surgeons, here is my revised wants list

Lower Body Lift - this would include Tummy Tuck, Lipo, outer and front of thigh lift, monsplasty, and fat transfer for butt lift.

Inner Thigh Lift - could be combined with LBL & would be a good compromise to have a concealed scar vs the more extensive scar of a medial thigh lift.

Breast Lift & Augmentation - both surgeons said this would have to be a separate procedure, unable to combine with the LBL due to time under anesthesia & surgeon fatigue. Both did not recommend the teardrop Gummy bear. They said it works better in theory than IRL, and I can get more natural results with traditional round silicone implant. Both said recovery time would only be 2 weeks of no traveling. So that makes it possible to just slip this surgery in sometime next year. But I will probably look for a plastic surgeon that specialized in BA/BL vs one who specializes in massive weight loss. BL/BA's are so common & i don't think my breasts are significantly different than a women's who had children & breastfed, I could find a more convenient and potentially less expensive option.

The bad news is, surgeon #1's quote was INSANELY high. Like I could buy a small house in Kansas for that kind of money.

Surgeon #2's quote was significantly less crazy, but still a big chunk of change.

The more I look at surgeon's #2 pics, and after the consult, I'm leaning away from going with him. He only does weight loss patients. Therefore he does a lot of My 600 lb Life type stuff. He seems more focused on removing skin and fat, then true body contouring, if that makes sense? I just don't know if I would be aesthetically happy with my body afterwards. Contrast that with surgeon #1's extreme focus on aesthetics. I am confident I'd get the best results with surgeon #1, but the cost seems unreasonable.

So I'm broadening my search to other surgeons in the country that specialize in massive weight loss. The LBL & thigh lift are not very common outside of post bariatrics, so I want a specialist for those. I contacted my #1 out of state choice for a consultation, and learned he is retiring and not scheduling any new surgeries

The pressure is on to book a procedure. Understandably my December time frame is very popular, and I absolutely need to have my procedure done in a pretty small window due to wok commitments.

I'm a little disheartened by the process right now

I didn't look on the west coast at all, so I don't know who's all out there. Peter Fisher in San Antonio is supposed to be reasonably priced and is nationally known. My guy in Chicago is also well known, but he's pretty expensive. There are some on the east coast - like Dr. Capella in New Jersey and Dr. Michaels in the DC area. As I recall, they were pretty reasonable price-wise, too - or were a few years ago, anyway. Both very respected in the subspecialty (i.e., body contouring for massive weight loss patients).

[sillykitty 10,774]

3 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I didn't look on the west coast at all, so I don't know who's all out there. Peter Fisher in San Antonio is supposed to be reasonably priced and is nationally known. My guy in Chicago is also well known, but he's pretty expensive. There are some on the east coast - like Dr. Capella in New Jersey and Dr. Michaels in the DC area. As I recall, they were pretty reasonable price-wise, too - or were a few years ago, anyway. Both very respected in the subspecialty (i.e., body contouring for massive weight loss patients).

Thanks @catwoman7!

Dr. Fisher in San Antonio is the surgeon who is retiring.

Dr. Capella was already on my radar. Good to know you weren't shocked by his pricing. I was leery since he services the NYC area.

I just looked up Dr. Michaels in DC, I assume Dr. Joseph Michaels?

Also on my radar is Dr. Hurwitz in Pittsburgh.

Can I have the name of your surgeon in Chicago? DM me if you prefer!

Thanks so much!

[catwoman7 11,212]

25 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

Thanks @catwoman7!

Dr. Fisher in San Antonio is the surgeon who is retiring.

Dr. Capella was already on my radar. Good to know you weren't shocked by his pricing. I was leery since he services the NYC area.

I just looked up Dr. Michaels in DC, I assume Dr. Joseph Michaels?

Also on my radar is Dr. Hurwitz in Pittsburgh.

Can I have the name of your surgeon in Chicago? DM me if you prefer!

Thanks so much!

he's retiring? Wow! A lot of people are going to really bummed about that!! He is super well known in the bariatric community! And yes - Joseph Michaels. A lot of people on another forum I'm on have gone to him. I went to Lawrence Zachary in Chicago. Actually, I think I first heard about him right here on BP....

btw - Dr. Zachary works out of two hospitals in Chicago. He's on the faculty of the Univ of Chicago, so he works at that hospital of course - but I think it's mostly insurance-covered patients who go there. He also works out of Weiss Hospital, a small community hospital on the north side of the city. He does the self-pays there, because the facility fee there is lower there than it is at U of C. I was self-pay, so my surgery was at Weiss.

Edited August 27, 2019 by catwoman7

[Healthy_life2 8,324]

@sillykitty

This is the surgeon I am looking into in Boise. He has package rates and lists the prices. Are his prices comparable to your consults? I have other surgeons for options. He seems to have the most experience.

Package deal #1 After massive weight loss

https://deansorensenmd.com/Procedures/Body/After-Weight-Loss-Surgery-Boise-ID

• Upper body (Liposuction, breast lift, Tummy Tuck, arm lift)
• Lower body (Liposuction, butt lift, thigh lift, lower body lift)

The cost for a combination surgery to remove skin following a massive weight loss will vary. Certain factors such as the number of procedures performed (abdominoplasty, liposuction, thigh lift, etc.), combined with the number of surgical settings, hospital stay, anesthesia, etc., will play a role in determining the final cost. On average, patients can expect to pay at least $10,000-$15,000 or higher.

Package deal # 2 Mommy Makeover:

https://deansorensenmd.com/Procedures/Body/Mommy-Makeover-Boise-ID

BREAST

• Conditions caused by pregnancy: Loss of volume and/or breast tissue, sagging and/or drooping, excess skin (ptosis), breasts that have become too large
• Surgeries to consider: Breast augmentation with implants, breast lift, breast augmentation with a lift, breast reduction surgery

ABDOMEN

• Conditions caused by pregnancy: Excess fat and/or persistent bulge in the abdomen, sagging and loose skin, stretch marks and other unsightly skin irregularities
• Surgeries to consider: Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction of the abdomen

LOWER BODY

• Conditions caused by pregnancy: Sagging skin and excess fat in the buttocks, hips and thighs
• Surgeries to consider: Lower body lift including liposuction and skin tightening of the buttocks, hips and thighs

Mommy makeover procedures will vary in cost depending how many surgeries were combined and how many surgery sessions are needed. At a minimum, if a breast lift with augmentation is performed along with a tummy tuck, the cost could range from $8,500-$17,000