TT for $3500

I am having 2 ventral hernias repaired in December. My Dr. said for $3500 he would do a tummy tuck at the same time. Does this seem like a good deal? I asked on the PS board but didn't get much of an answer.

I am over 2 years out and have lost about 140lbs.

Thanks, Michelle

Well, it sounds great but is he any good at it? That sounds like a very good price to me but then again I have no idea what they are running.
Good luck but do your home work.

HUGS
JOY

I'm with Joy on this one - is he good at it? Does he have previous work he can show you? Is he a board-certified plastic surgeon? I think it sounds like a good deal, although I don't know what the "going rate" is ... Just be careful! You don't want to end up with Tara Reid Tummy! LOL

Michelle,

I would ask to see work he has done the past.

Annabelle

Hi there,

As an addicted shopper I would be very cautious. Just remember buyer beware or you get what you pay for. Just be very careful when it comes to inexpensive surgeries. You might want to get a couple more consults just to compare price and procedures. Good luck..

Julie

We learned at the OH conference this weekend that a licensed Dr in California can do almost anything they want. It's all legal. A Pediatrician can do a face lift, a GYN can do a knee replacement ( just ask LittleMichele about that).

Just because he says he can do it does that mean he's any good at tummy tucks? Is he a board certified plastic surgeon? Does he have pictures to show you of his work? Has he done TT's on WLS patients before?

If not I wouldn't let him do it on me.

I do not know. But, I do know that somtimes the 'tummy tucks' are different.  Some doctors just remove the apron.  Some anchor the muscles down for a 'real' tummy tuck.  Also you may want to ask if any lipo is involved.  And also ask to see his work.  Good Luck.

Having met with a few plastic surgeons at the conference this past weekend, that is CHEAP!   If you have hernias, is he also charging your insurance company as part of your hernia repair, so is that extra money you are going to pay and that is the full price of the TT?  (did that make sense)?  Anyway, you want to see pictures of his tummy tucks, you want to see where he places the scars, I was amazed at the difference between 2 of the ones I saw, has he ever worked on WL patients before?  All good questions and I am sure that there is some where you can call that is prepared to give you more info, just like the ama, there must be somewhere for plastic surgeons.

Good luck,

DIane

May be too good to be true? BCBS had approved me for $6K towards my tummy tuck which I was quoted at $12K but went ahead with a full body lift instead as that's what I really needed. You may want to get at least three quotes. All quotes should be free. And during these tough economic times... plastic surgeries are down by 50-60% so you may be able to haggle a bit if you're getting several procedures.

My best to you,
Kim

Thanks for all the replys.

The surgeon is a WLS who also does lots of hernia repair and tummy tucks. I have spoken on a personal level with one of his workers and she said he has done hundreds of TT and she gave him a glowing review. She did steer me away from someone else so I do not feel she was just being loyal. The Dr does the TT for $3500 to help out his WLS patients. The $3500 is just for the muscle tightening part of the surgery. I think the rest is paid for with the hernia repair. I'm not sure if he has a book of after shots or not because he is not actively trying to get new TT patients and only does them on patients who ask. I guess I will find out about that.

Thanks, Michelle