i'm facing facts. i'm 43, active and mostly fit. but i can't seem to shake loose some jiggliness. so i've consulted with 3 surgeons this week and will likely schedule a lipo soon.

questions for the group:
1. what do you know about ultrasound-assisted liposuction?

2. my three estimates range between $4400 and $6200. are fees negotiable?

3. aside from cost, are there advantages to having the procedure done in a hospital op room vs. the doc's op room?

4. this is entirely elective and won't be covered by my insurance, nor can it be added to my flex spending acct plan. tho' i've discussed financing options thru the provider, i will pay cash. wondering if there are any other financing secrets i haven't considered...

5. any other cautions?

thanks in advance for any posts or privates.

A friend of mine had it and it can take a while for the bruising and swelling to do down. And you can't just eat anything you want and not exercise or else the weight will come back. Good luck!

A friend had lipsuction done, and she told me that the best plastic surgeons are either in NY, Miami, or LA.

She was told to look there for someone to do hers because they did so many of the operations it was routine. She was specifically told to look for someone who had done hundreds of the operation withing the last year, otherwise to find someone else.

She was happy with her results.

Apparently it is becoming more and more common for guys to have plastic surgery - and not just models and actors. I think I know of a couple of Bus. aquaintances who have had it done.

Write and tell us what your experience was like.

Good Luck,

R

My beau is an OR first assist nurse. He generally says that lipo procedures are really awful, very hard on the body and usually not necessary. The healing time can be very long, the risks are real and great and it should most likely be done in an OR. How jiggly are you? Are ten pounds sucked out of you really worth it? twenty? I don't know you, so I can't advise, but he generally thinks most people do it for the wrong reasons. Decide carefully.

thanks for the caution, shore. i am content with most of the original equipment that came from the factory -- with one exception.

this has not been a capricious decision for me but one i have considered for a couple of decades. my financial position now allows me to take care of it.

regarding OR's, my question related to using the one at the practice vs. going to a hospital. for a lower-risk procedure, such as lipo, is the additional "hassle" and cost of the hospital worth it?

thanks again all for your insights and comments.

I would think long and hard before having this done. I've heard nightmare stories about this procedure.