I got the packet yesterday from Dr. Conkright.  It said on one of the papers that some docs performing cosmetic surgery have no formal surgical training.  They should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).  Don't be confused by other official-sounding boards and certifications.  Not every doctor who uses the title "plastic surgeon" has the training to qualify for ABPS certification.

----- Original Message -----
From: Judy <jdpeters@...>
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009 18:57
Subject: [GastricBypassVanderburghIN] tummy tuck Doctors...
To: GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com

> This is a little long.. sorry,
>
> I would check out the doctors before you actually let them cut
> on you.
> I have a real paranoia about this... my Mom had back surgery by Dr.
> Grimm in the year 2000. she developed infections and had to have
> several surgeries in the following years. It was a nightmare.
> She had
> a wound in her back that was 12 inches long and you could see
> all the
> way down to the hardware they had put in during the original surgery.
> Dr. Grimm pretty much wrote her off. After one appointment he never
> scheduled a follow up. We were kind of innocent back then and didn't
> realize what was happening. When it came to my Dad, I had
> learned well
> and didn't take any crap off any of them... if I wanted them to call
> me (because I couldn't wait around for them all day to show up) and
> they didn't, I would hunt them down!!
> We saw numerous doctors but nobody wanted to touch what Grimm had
> screwed up. Finally we found doctors through the wound care
> clinic at
> Deaconess that helped her. They got her fixed up and healing.
> The reason I mention this.. Dr. Doepker was the plastic surgeon that
> went into the surgery with the ortho doctor and did some miracle
> surgery and got the would closed up. After 5 years of an open
> wound!! 
> Dr. Doepker was great.. he didn't make any promises but did a
> miraculous job on my Mom. He was very considerate of my Mom and her
> welfare and really made a good impression on me. My sister in
> law is
> an intensive care nurse at Deaconess and would give us her impression
> of the doctors she dealt with... she was very straight forward.. not
> all doctors have good beside manners, but are excellent doctors and
> then there are those that can make you feel real comfortable but are
> not such a good doctor.
> I don't know anything about the other doctors listed here, but I think
> I have heard good things about Dr.  Michael Conkright, but
> I'm not sure.
> In these economic times, I'm sure plastic surgery isn't on alot of
> peoples list.. so the doctors are doing all they can do get patients.
> Just be careful!!!
>
> Judy
>
> --- In GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com, Paul Adam
> <jma91155@...> wrote:
> >
> > I made plastic surgeon call yesterday.  Here's a little
> of what I
> found out.
> >
> > 1.  Medical Cosmetic Center $7500-8000, no payment plan
> but they do
> accept Care Credit (which I have).  You can apply for it on
> line.
> $100 initial visit which would be included in the $7500-8000 if they
> do it.  They are setting appointments about 2 mo.
> out.  I was told
> from another Dr. office that they don't have a doc there
> now.  One got
> fired about 2 mo. ago and the other quit about 2-3 wks.
> ago.  The one
> who's in there now doesn't even have his license yet.  Like
> I said,
> this was told to me by another office so don't know how true it is.
> > 
> > 2.  Dr. Fred Doepker--Approx. $8500 includes 23 hr. observation
> stay.  No payment plan but they accept Care Credit. 
> That price
> includes everything and all follow-up visits (unlimited). 
> She said
> many times in WLS patients there is a diastasis hernia (muscle
> in the
> stomach) he has to go back in and fix free of charge.  $95
> initialvisit but if he does the surgery it's covered in the $8500.
> > 
> > 3.  Dr.  Richard Orr--FREE CONSULT about 1 hr.
> long.  Could not give
> me a price until after the consult.  They accept Care
> Credit or get a
> loan through Capital One.
> > 
> > 4.  Dr.  Michael Conkright --FREE CONSULT. 
> Approx.  $7800  They
> accept Care Credit or finance through Capitol One or 5/3
> bank.  Also,
> he's having a meeting next Mon. Mar 2 6-8 PM at Gateway. 
> There will
> be refreshments, food, prizes and special discounts on some of his
> procedures.  Won't know which ones till the meeting. 
> You have to RSVP
> so they know you are coming.  I told her yesterday I would
> be there.
> It's for anyone looking into plastic surgery.  His website
> is:
> www.beautifultoo.com.  I have not been there yet.
> > 
> > Hope this helps others out.  I was just doing some
> figuring--with
> Care Credit for 60 mo.  it's about $238 mo.--basically a
> car payment.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: D'Ann Christian <hazyseptember@...>
> > Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 16:19
> > Subject: RE: [GastricBypassVanderburghIN] tummy tuck
> > To: GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > > Thanks for that information.  I would feel weird
> without my
> > > belly button,
> > > lol.   I'd have to tattoo one on if I had that
> done,
> > > LOL!  I'm not sure I
> > > have enough "apron" to do that.  I still have some fat
> in
> > > mine, I think.  I
> > > have wanted to go to a plastic surgery but it cost $100 just
> to
> > > talk to
> > > them.  Then I know my insurance won't pay unless I have
> had
> > > a rash for at
> > > least 3 months.   I'm not sure what to do about
> > > it. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > D'Ann      aka "Petals the Clown"
> > > see my family -  
> <http://www.hazyseptember.com>
> > > www.hazyseptember.com -
> > > updated and has new pics & new videos you have to see
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com
> > > [mailto:GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of
> > > Paul Adam
> > > Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 7:57 PM
> > > To: GastricBypassVanderburghIN@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [GastricBypassVanderburghIN] tummy tuck
> > > 
> > > D'Ann,
> > > I told you I'd let you know what I found out about a tummy
> > > tuck.  I went to
> > > Vanderbilt today.  My medicare will only pay for the
> pinn?--
> > > it's where they
> > > cut off the "apron", pull it down and sew it together. 
> > > They remove your
> > > belly button and don't replace it.  Cost $25,000-
> > > 30,000.  Medicare only pays
> > > less than $800.
> > > The tummy tuck is not covered at all by medicare.  That
> > > includes removing
> > > the apron, tightening the muscles and working on the
> > > midriff.  You also get
> > > your belly button replaced.  Cost $8030 and they work
> out a
> > > paymentschedule.  This includes everything except
> > > meds. 
> > > It is same day surgery so you go home that night.
> > > I'm going to check the cost locally since it's all out of pocket.
> > >
> > >
> > > Julia Adam
> > > Max International
> > > Offering hope for today.  YOU control your future!
> > > www.godsmax.com
> > >
> > >
> >
> >  Julia Adam
> > Max International
> > Offering hope for today.  YOU control your future!
> > www.godsmax.com
> >
>
>
>