Tummy Tuck?

Hi there,

I know I need to give things a bit longer, but I think I will eventually need a tummy tuck.. I have quite a bit of flabby, loose skin on my stomach and it is really unattractive.. sometimes I almost wish I had a bit more fat there to at least fill it out and stop the wrinkles. (Of course, I don't really mean that)

Has anyone got any relevant hints or advice about this? I am particularly interested to get an idea of how much this would cost.

Thanks in advance,

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Manny
Melbourne, Australia

300lb- 25th Feb 05 Banded
196lb- 1st Sep 06
Target- 189lb

Hi

I had a tummy tuck done about 4 years ago now and it was one of the best things i have done.

It was well worth it!!!!

I had mine done under medicare so it cost me nothing, but normally you would have to pay quite alot. I dont think private health pays for it.

Go and talk to some surgeons to get prices and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. They will all vary in there prices.

GOODLUCK:)

I had my TT about 5 weeks ago. Provided there is a medical need for the surgery (lose skin causing rashes and sores) it is given an item number, and is covered by Medicare, and your private fund.

All up, my surgery cost about $1,400 (I had to pay everything up front, and was given refunds by my fund, and medicare). Best thing I ever did (aside from the band, lol)

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Banded 22 Feb '05 / Got to goal June '06
Imperial 297/107 lbs - Metric 135/49kg
Tummy tuck 15 Aug '06
0cc in a 4cc band (unfilled December '06)
Tube shortened 14th July '08
Before & after pics
Blog
"In my world. . .everyone eats rainbows and poops butterflies"

I am planning on having this done and the doctor that I have been in touch with would do mine for $3,800 cash as well as give me free lipo suction around my waistline. I really need this. Here are today's pics of my belly flab/flap.

These will be the last body pics I will take until after my tummy tuck which I am going to schedule in another 2 weeks. Seeing EmilyKaye's pics of her belly gave me the inspiration for these.

Telly that is so cool you are doing it! And thanks for sharing your pics. You really worked you a$$ off and deserve to rock it to the fiullest. Please give us every detail of the surgery when you're done, ok?

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Thank you Pelo,

I definately will update everyone on the tummy tuck after I have it done. Will be another month-ish.

Your in melbourne right? If you have private health insurance there are 2 options:

100% free (except your daily excess) since the health fund will pay 100% you get no belly button (because a belly button is an asthetic thing - these are routinely done by surgeons a lot of the time when people get hystorectomes etc. Clem Smith does a LOT of them) - no waiting list - if you see Clem Smith at Knox Private Hospital or that small private hospital in bayswater (can't remember what it's called). You can get a 3D belly button tattoo so it's not like your left looking like an alien or anything. The belly button the plastic surgeon gives you could end up looking hidous and cost a lot.

Want a belly button? You have to go to a cosmetic surgeon. Expect after health insurance and medicare rebates to be out of pocket between $8,000 and $10,000 with hospital and everything. Medicare give you $650 back, Medibank give you $212 back (i know i just got the cheques which took forever! those 2 figures add up to the scheduled fee since medibank pays the 'gap').

If i did it all again I would probably have got the 3D belly button tattoo and saved $10k. I love my belly but my belly button isn't that great, certinally not worth $10k!!

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170cm - BMI: 20 (at goal for over 1 year!)

Thanks to everyone for sharing, and especially for Cam- being from Melbourne the specific details really help. I can live without a "real"belly button- after all I have lived my whole life as a young man with stretch marks and man boobs :)

Cam- I had my surgery just a month after you- you seem to be doing really well- congratulations!

I didn't know about the tattoo belly button thing. I could have saved myself some major cash .. where were you last year, Cam? lol

Manny - I think we talked some last year on the yahoo board. Were you banded by Mr Nottle?

I had my tt, a breast reduction and a bit of lipo from the hips in April of this year. All up, I paid around $15,000. Had to take out a loan. Insurance didn't cover much at all, but it was well worth it.

Good luck!

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~::Jess::~
Banded 04 March 2005 @ The Avenue, Melbourne, Australia
Rebanded 10 November 2006, due to slippage
Gained all my weight back, +5kgs (interest)
Diagnosed with hiatal hernia August 2008, which is preventing the band from working properly

Joined Weight Watchers December 2008 and flying solo. 18kg loss on WW so far...

The only thing that I worry about in the entire LAP-BAND® process is the fact that I most likely will want to have a tummy tuck after I reach my goal weight. I already have hanging skin. I want to reach my goal and look and feel the best that I can and think the only way to do that is with a tummy tuck.

I have heard and seen so many horror stories about tummy tucks. I do realize that going to an accredited surgeon is the most important thing. I do know I am being silly even letting those horror stories stick in my head. Anybody out there that can calm my fears?

My arms are looking terrible, have been reading on liposculpure, liposuction, and the cutting of the arm fat. Anyone had any of these done, i have been doing weights without any help. My doctor says drink lots of water this helps with elacsticity of skin, and weight till the skin forms with the body.

Anyone have opionions on what has happened with their arms and what have they done?