Help Reconstructive Surgery ????"s

Please help me. I have an appointment on Monday with Dr. Bazzi for a P.S. consult. I have no Idea what kind of questions I should/need to ask. What questions did you ask when you had your P.S. consult? Has any one had surgery with Dr. Bazzi? If yes, what did you think of him? I don't get to choose my reconstructive surgeon due to my insurance coverage. Thank you for your help. God bless, Annette

Annette, I do not know the answer to your question, but I want to ask that you keep me in your prayers as I have my second level appeal with HAP next Wednesday for approval for my tummy tuck. I have been trying now for 2 years. This is my second, second level appeal. So back in front of the HAP Board, and this time, I am not taking "No" for an answer. LOL I received a call today from my dermatologist who said that I have an infection in the broken skin area, and I have never been so excited, because this is a requirement for HAP to approve the surgery. Can you believe that we should be excited to have an infection? LOL Good Luck on this part of your journey, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless. Carol

Hey Carol, Yea an infection ~I'm so happy for you lol. It amazes me how someone sitting behind a desk think they know better than a doctor as to what a patient needs. I will keep you in my prayers Carol. Thank you for your prayers. I just hope getting approved for P.S. isn't as hard as it was getting approval for the W.L.S. I really don't want to fight with them for the next year or two. The guy I talked to said it sounds like I meet the requirements, loss of at least 100 pounds and cronic rashes. I've lost 216#'s and have had rashes , sores and infections for months now that don't clear up using the powder and creams my P.C.P. prescribes for me. I also have pain in my neck shoulders and back. I don't know if that counts but I'm told it's most likely caused by my excess skin. Take care Carol. God bless you, Annette

Hey Annette, Isn't this an exciting stage? It is not as bad as I thought it would be. 9 days out and I am sore but able to get around really good and am going to a movie tonite with the fam. I would ask what type of incision he is going to do. I have a t incision that goes all the way around to my back and up to my breast bone, because I also had the butt lift. I would ask how long you expect to have to recover and I would ask to see pictures. I had to have a new belly button due to the umbilical hernia, but this is a risk with all tt's I guess, so you should ask what the policy on that is. Some docs automatically remove it and make a new one, and some try to keep your old one. Also here is a sensitive question, some docs do a pubic lift with the tuck and some don't. Mine was only partially lifted, so you may want to find out how much this doc does and maybe pay for the extra if you want it done, it is not too attractive if left alone. I wish I had done more with this now that it is over. I just assumed it would be pulled up tight, but I guess that is not the case. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Wendy

Thank you Wendy. I'm glad you're feeling well enough to go out to a movie. I'm writing this stuff down so I don't forget it all when I get there on Monday. It is exciting but stressful too. Stressfull because I'm not sure what to expect. I don't feel very comfortable knowing I have to stand naked in front of a total stranger, even if he is a Dr. No one has seen me naked in years ~except for my last two surgeries ~but I was knocked out and didn't know about it lol. Oh Well. Thanks for the info. Wendy. God bless you, Annette

Hi Annette, I googled "questions to ask a ps about a tummy tuck" and found all this information: Questions to ask your doctor: * Are the desired results I described realistic? * Where is the surgery performed? * How long will the procedure take? * What kind of anesthesia is used? * How much does this procedure cost? * What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?) * What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.) * Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? * And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.) * May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients. * May I have the names and contact information for several recent abdominoplasty patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.) * Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.) * Will I stay overnight in the hospital or return home the same day? * What should I expect post-operatively, in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity? * Who will be assisting during the surgery? * What are their qualifications? * Does the plastic surgeon perform the entire surgery * Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended? * Do you offer patient financing? Be sure to: * Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements). * Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription). * Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke. Smoking can lead to complications and poor healing. * Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking. * Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery. * Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and help you for a few days afterward, if needed. * How do I finance this procedure? Hope this helps!!!!!!!!! Stacey W

Hi Stacey,,how you doing girl? I think of you every time they say Treasure Island !!

Sweet Stacey. Thank you, this really helps a lot. Now I'm ready for Monday. God bless you, Annette