Patients of Dr. Michaels - quick question!

How accurate was the hospital portion of your surgical estimate? Just wondering how likely I'll need to come up with more money than expected. I appreciate any information you may have!

I think mine was right on the nose. He never came back to me for extra funds. I was overnight at Sibley after my LBL and BL, and left the same day for my arm lift. I am his biggest fan! Tell him Emily says hi and I still marvel at his work every single day :) What surgery are you having?

Hi Emily! I'm having an extended TT, BL, and AL in early November.

Oh yay! He did my lower body lift and breast lift (no implants) and then maybe six months later, my arm lift. I could not be happier with my body, scars, etc. You're in great hands!!! I'm not sure if you have ever seen (or are interested in) my plastics recap, but you can find it here (it's just a Word doc)

He advised me to get a lower body lift and arms first, and come back for my breasts, but I am really worried that 1) I won't be able to afford additional surgeries, and 2) I won't be willing to physically endure the pain of any subsequent surgeries, so I'm opting to get my primary concerns addressed in my first, and quite possibly, only surgery. I think my butt and legs need work, but am less concerned with those areas, and don't feel like I have realistic expectations for those results to endure the cost or pain. We'll see. Like you, I very well may find that the work I'm getting done will accentuate those other areas, leaving me in need of more work. I've heard that plastic surgery can be addictive - sort of like tattoos - but I don't think my funds are in line with multiple surgeries.

Oh funny - he recommended a LBL and breast for me, based on what my problem areas were in my mind. I was deadset against arms due to visible scars. But once my body was fixed, my arms were more noticeable so I went for the arms. And the scars are hardly visible! My thighs are a hot mess but *****ally sees them? Too many people have had complications with thigh lifts so I decided I won't ever fix those. My butt was raised with the LBL, but hopefully your extended tummy tuck will take care of you and make you happy with your results! I know you will be in great hands so GOOD LUC****ep us posted! It's normal to be terrified :) But you will come out on the other end just fine and once you heal and the swelling goes down, you will be in shock and awe of your body!

I had three surgeries with him - I think one was a little under time and one was a little over time, so they evened out. :)

Thanks Gwen! I'm hoping for under or on time! Was the overtime significant in cost (($1000's or $100's)?

Honestly I'm not 100% sure at this point - I do know that the bill I got originally broke down the costs and listed the time, hospital costs, surgeon's costs. So it should be easy enough to divide the hospital costs by the time to get a feel for the price per hour.

I feel like it was in the 100s.

Ok, a couple hundred I can work with. Thanks for the information!