Question:
Am I Worth A Self Pay Tummy Tuck?
— Jazzy (posted on April 26, 2004)
April 25, 2004
You look just great in your picture. Your definately WORTH it but I would
save my money if I had looked as good as you!
— MARSHA D.
April 25, 2004
I will say that I think we are all worth it!!!! I know that this seems like
a ton of money but it is one of the best things I have done since WLS. That
money bought me a whole new level of freedom and comfort and self
acceptance. It seemed like I was not done until my body looked
"normal" to me. I too looked like I did not need it in my clothes
but without, which is the way we see ourselves, it was a train wreck. I
took before and after photos and it gave me a real perspective into the
fact that this was way more than a cosmetic procedure.
— Carol S.
April 25, 2004
I have this same struggle. My husband supports me getting the surgery I
want to feel better about myself, but I struggle with spending that much
money on myself, too. I keep reminding myself of all the people who treat
themselves to (what I consider) luxury items - they obviously feel worth
it, why shouldn't I? We have a long time left in our bodies, may as well be
comfortable in them. As a compromise, could you find another plastic
surgeon that is also highly recommended but accepts insurance? There are
tons of them out there. Good luck to you and YES, you are worth it!
— Yolanda J.
April 25, 2004
Janet,
Yes, you are worth it. But I've got to say - have you considered going out
of country for plastics? It's SO much more affordable - and those guys in
Brazil are amazing! They do some of the world's best PS. There's a Yahoo
group called MedNetBrazil - I know quite a few people who have gone with
this surgeon and have had totally awesome results.
Go for it girlfriend!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
April 26, 2004
I know some people may not like the answer I am going to give you. My
surgeon said people would spend $20,000.00 easily on a car, so why not
spend it on something they will keep for a lifetime? I look at it like yes
as people who struggled with obesity for a long time, it is worth it to
celebrate all the hard work and weight loss, but it is not worth it if it
causes a financial hardship in your family. In fact, I think it is
selfishness. I have a friend who this has just happened to and that is why
my opinion is so strong. (She paid for a tummy tuck and is struggling to
pay that along with her other bills and could not afford to send her
daughter on her senior class trip). I don't agree with that. I think there
should be priorities. I also think that if you have a husband that is
happy with the way you are and if the extra skin is not causing health
problems then maybe it is best to just wait and perhaps save up for it for
a later date.
— Lisa N M.
April 26, 2004
Oh my gosh, YES you are worth spending the money. I had my extended TT and
breast lift with implants on April 1st. I too wondered if I should be
spending the 10,092.00 on my self. Its been 3 1/2 weeks, and I am
soooooooooooooo glad that I did this. I look at myself in the mirror, and
I can't believe its me. I didn't look like this at 17! It is sooooooooooo
worth it. You have worked hard to get where you are today, reward
yourself! Besides, it only money, and you can't take it with you when you
leave. RNY 2-5-03 291/155
— Julie H.
April 26, 2004
YES, YOU ARE WORTH IT! I just shelled out $13k to have the works - tummy
tuck, breast lift/augmentation and thigh lift. Did I have other worthwhile
uses for the money? You bet I did! Do I regret it? Not for a minute! I
finally like myself. That is worth any amount of money I had to spend.
And I don't consider this "selfish". Maybe your family will have
to go without a few things for a while. THEY'LL LIVE! You do NOT always
have to be a giver and sacrificer. If you're like any other former MO
person I know, we've been the giver, the sacrificer, the pleaser, our whole
lives. Time to do something for you! You deserve it!
— Angie M.
April 26, 2004
YES YES and YES again. I was denied. I am lucky, my mom is funding $11K
of the $14K I need to pay for my LBL but I was already approved for a Home
Equity Loan to pay it anyway! I am also writing it off as a tax deduction.
Do something for yourself, this is the final step in the WLS process!
— heathercross
April 26, 2004
First off, Yes you are worth it. Second, even though this surgeon is
highly recommended, so are many others, find one willing to work with you
and not take no for an answer. I recently had a breast reduction (turned
down 3 times) and my Dr wouldn't take no for an answer. Once approved for
that, my hubby said that I should just "go for it" on my arms
also, (self-pay $4800.00) Very worth it. In fact now that my chest and
arms are so nice, I think I will be able to deal with the rest of my body.
To feel feminine and beautiful again are priceless. If financially you can
afford it, talk to your husband about how you feel. Sometimes the emotional
pain is worse than any physical pain.
— Dana B.
April 26, 2004
If your like me, its not that we are not worth it, its the spending $ on
ourselves. For me, I have always felt guilty for spending too much $ on
myself. Oiy! I constantly think, why should I buy that 80 dollar sweater,
you don't NEED it, you want it. Its the same for plastics, I think, you
don't really need it (medical necessity) but you want it, and altho hubby
is supportive, I keep thinking, we will need a new car soon, we're still
trying to furnish our new house, there are bills to pay and I don't NEED
plastics. Now in your case if its medically necessary to get the TT,or you
think insurance would approve it, why not try a different surgeon to try to
get insurance to pay for it. There are highly recommended surgeons that do
take insurance.
— Cindy R.
April 26, 2004
Janet, I am struggling with the same thoughts. I am in the process of an
Appeal with my insurance company to see if they will pay. I still have the
thoughts of- should I self pay if this is denied? It is an awful lot of
money and I can think of a million things I could use it for instead. I
worked more over the past year to save some money for this procedure. On
some days I say- yes- do it- finish the process and look and feel great, on
other days I say no- invest the money in something better- or pay off a
bill or something. I know I will never be satisfied if I do not do this. I
have always wanted a flat tummy and feel as if this will complete the whole
weight loss process. I don't know- Email if you need to sort out your
feeling- or want to talk. I just keep trying to remember that I am worth
this and so are you!! Jan
— Jan S.
April 26, 2004
I have decided to have plastics, whether my insurance covers it or not. I
did go to one surgeon who quoted me $29,000 for a lower body lift,& arm
lift and was not thrilled to submit to insurance. I have since gotten a
second opinion from another highly recommended doctor and he says about
11,500 for the same procedure! and he is Agressively pursueing
insurance approval. I may have a good chance for the tummy to b approved,
but Very unlikely the butt or arms will be approved. I have also looked
into Costa rica for plastic surgery as well
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/costaricaplasticsurgery/
http://www.cheticaranch.com/
http://www.cosmetic-cr.com/
http://www.surgery.org/public/epp.php/rrosenstock2
they seem to be very good from all reports. Yes, it is a financial
burden. I am working double my usual hours , as much overtime as I can get
to save up. My kids are older but still at home with 2 grandkids also.
Money IS tight. However I feel it is also important that they work for what
they want. IE. If a senior wants to go on a senior trip maybe they need to
do odd jobs, babysit, get a job and earn for them selves the same way every
other adult does If it is something they really want they will work for it
just like we do. Are you worth it? good question. You are if you feel you
are. How hard are you willing to work for it? it is your tummy not your
husbands.
— **willow**
April 26, 2004
Do you have to ask? If hubby is not supportive then put your own money
aside and pay for it yourself. Get a job or 2nd job to save for it. I
have no idea what your tummy looks like but as far as I am concerned for
many the PS is the closure piece to their life of being fat. It is
important for me mentally to close my life as a SMO. I will never forget
where I have been but I also do not need to be reminded on a daily basis
either. The surgeries that my insurance will cover are coming to an end
and I am faced with $24,000 of PS that I will have to pay for. This will
cover lipo of my thighs in preparation for a thighplasty (large wedge
removal of skin from each leg); actual thighplasty surgery including 1
night in the hospital; significant barchioplasty (large wedge of skin to be
removed on the arms); breast lift and implants as I have zero breast tissue
left - just skin with a thin layer of fat. I struggle with the amount of
money but not because it's too much to spend on me. Because there are so
many things I'd like to do with it. I do not have all of the cash and will
need to consider taking some off my home equity line and the rest put on a
low interest credit card. Part of me says to stretch it out over say 3-5
years then the other part of me says screw it, I want it done now. I'm not
sure which part is going to win. LOL I know in time I will get it all
done. I have decided that my legs are really becoming the biggest issue
for me and therefore am planning to go ahead with the lipo, which will be
done with my next surgery that insurance is covering (I'll pay for the lipo
portion) and then the thighplasty 9 weeks later. My arms and breasts may
be waiting a while. The breasts will be waiting the longest as it is my
lowest priority item. A good underwire bra does amazing things. So it's
just when I'm naked that it's a sight to be seen.
— zoedogcbr
April 26, 2004
You know, after self paying for my upper arms and inner thighs, I came to
the conclusion that I lived a VERY unhappy life in a fat body and I'm
certainly entitled to be happy for once and I KNOW that I'm happier since
having these surgeries. Even though I could have used the money to pay off
debts, I feel that the debts will eventually get paid in a couple of years
but I wouldn't have been happy with myself had I not done something to my
body. I NOW feel VERY worthy to have plastic surgery to make me happy.
— Patty H.
April 26, 2004
YOU BET YOU ARE WORTH IT! You have worked hard to get to where you are at
right now in your life. Take the plunge, finish the portrait! Janice Hall
— betterfitness
April 27, 2004
Willow, thanks for mentioning that a senior in high school actually COULD
work towards paying for something they want. The previous poster made the
parent sound so bad, almost neglectful of their child! Most all kids I knew
in high school at least took summer jobs and paid for their own junior and
senior year extras like proms, senior pictures, graduation announcements
and gifts to each other, the senior party. And as for our class trip the
ENTIRE class did fund raisers. Some of us who didn't come from more afluent
families actually worked afterschool too. I tutored, babysat, worked for
the local paper, washed dishes in a facility kitchen, most anything and I
was expected to not just pay extra but also everything I might want or
need. School supplies, clothes, contacts, glasses, etc. In fact there was
many a month I had to help chip in to cover the house payment or pay the
light bill or buy groceries. That's life and if a MEDICAL surgery
(regardless of what any of us feel might be necessary or not!) is what puts
a strain on funds that's how it is. Many families end up in that same
situation for lesser reasons, at least she has something to show for it.
(Whew, off the soap box now!)
— Shelly S.
May 11, 2004
The abdominoplasty she had was not for medical purposes it was purely
cosmetic. Her daughter does have a full time job...its called school. She
attends regular classes during the day and is in a college university
program at night. She does work weekends when she can. She's always
willing to accept a babysitting job, but that was not enough for her senior
year activities. I think having an unneeded tt was neglectful to her
family and I think it was selfish. There has to be priorities. Everything
is not always about what we "deserve." I always deserved to have
another slice of cake or another sandwich that's what put me into the
position to need wls.
— Lisa N M.
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