After losing 50 kilos (110 lbs) my body desperately needs a lift and no amount of exercise or lotions is going to put it back into place! I didn't carry my excess weight on my hips, bum, thighs or boobs, it was all on my stomach, so after weight loss I am left with an awful sagging apron stomach. I hate to be overly dramatic, but this excess skin has taken a huge toll on me both mentally and physically and so I always knew that I wanted to have the skin removed.
At the start of the year I saw a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck who told me that I had too much skin for a tummy tuck and I need the more extreme surgery of a body lift. He referred me to a body lift surgeon who was fantastic, but the quote I got was out of my price range and so I was crushed that it didn't look like the surgery could go ahead.
I've spent the last 6 months thinking about ways to come up with the money and finally made the decision that I should just go ahead with the surgery and add the cost to my home loan. I am sure a lot of people will think this was a silly decision, but I couldn't keep putting my life on hold and being miserable for another second.
I went to see my chosen surgeon on Thursday afternoon and asked all my final questions and then when I was completely satisfied with it all, I booked in a surgery date. I will be going in for surgery on Thursday 22nd November, which is exactly 3 years and 6 months since I had the lap band! I wanted to have it as close to the Christmas break as possible so that I could have extra time to recover if I need it. So I'll probably have 4 weeks medical leave and that will run straight into the (almost) 2 week Christmas break.
The good news about my surgery is that it will be slightly cheaper than I first anticipated. The surgeon has decided not to do the upper torso suspension and hopes he can flatten my middle roll of skin with the body lift. I am not seeking perfection so I am sure I will be happy with whatever he can do to help! I have broken down the costs below for anyone interested in the body lift surgery.
| ITEM | COST | REBATE |
| Surgeon's fee | $12,500 | $1,306.75 |
| Hospital fee | $1,138.50 | |
| Anaesthetic fee | $3,149 | $1,574 |
| Garments | $218.90 | |
| Insurance excess | $500 | |
| TOTAL | $17,506 | $2,880.75 |
| OUT OF POCKET | $14,625.65 | |
Please let me know if you have any questions about the surgery or advice to offer. I also apologise in advance for talking your ear off about the surgery while I count down the days over the next few months. To say I am excited about the surgery is a massive understatement!!!
Yay glad you are doing what makes you happy. look forward to following the op and your recovery :)
ReplyDeleteWow big decision but I can totally understand - the scales are irrelevant if you are not happy or comfortable with your body and there is no other way to get rid of the excess skin.
ReplyDeleteAny surgery is scary but this is like the last piece of the puzzle for you.
I wish you all the luck & look forward to the updates.
Wow! So excited for you! I could sense how disappointed you were when you first got your consultation. I am glad you found a way to make it work. Can't wait to hear all about your progress!
ReplyDeleteVery exciting news! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited for you :) no more pinching that inch!!!
ReplyDeleteso excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Hope it all goes beautifully for you. I'll look forward to hearing about progress.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a similar position, with the belly flap from years of obesity, but for now I'm just muttering about it and trying to improve what I can by minimising any remaining fat inside it and exercise to tone what's under it. I don't like it (at all!) but I can just about live with it.
However, I've always said that if I won the Lottery I'd get the flap removed (but have to admit I am a serious chicken so might 'chicken' out if the time ever came!). Maybe, one day...?
Yay for you! Looking fwd to hearing more about it and how it goes!! Can I just ask whether any of those costs include any private health insurance rebates as well?
ReplyDeleteok, I see the 500 insurance excess and the rebate but it doesnt seem much and what about medicare etc....just wanting to know for me down the track when I get to my happy weight!
DeleteHi Shelly,
DeleteThe rebates mentioned are what I would get back from my private health insurance and medicare. I am not sure what the split will be exactly because I was just given that total figure from my surgeon. I'll post the exact figures after the surgery so that you know.
The $500 excess is just my insurance because I have an excess on hospital stays, yours may or may not have this.
Good luck with getting to your happy weight! :-)
How exciting for you! I too have wanted to get my tummy done for years. In fact 16! I had my son at 18 and put on 42kgs and in the process ruined my tummy. Looking forward to seeing how things go for you. B
ReplyDeletegood luck i have thought about this as well, dont forget to do pics
ReplyDelete