Who would you choose for plastics? Cross post

   Hi everyone.  First of all, thanks to everyone for being so generous and forthcoming in sharing your expertise, experience and pictures, you rock!
I am researching plastics for summer 2012(probably)  I am 16 pounds from goal and want to give my body a chance to settle in and maintain.
I live in an RV and am traveling around the U.S.  Since I can go pretty much anywhere, I am interested in where/who you all would recommend.  Money is a definite consideration- I will be paying out of pocket.  I have read some areas of the country are less expensive than others. 

The good news and the bad news-I have too many choices! 
Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out, it really means a lot to me!

You might want to post this on the plastics board.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/

FYI, when I have gone to the plastics forum link....there is no forum there! It's happened more than once!

Thanks for the FYI Lynn, I posted it on the plastics and the light weights board.  Funny, most of the responses are not from the plastics board.  Thanks for taking time to respond!

Thanks Ladytazz, I posted it there first.  Cross posted it to hopefully get a better response.

Many people go to Mexico.  So far, I've only had my tummy done (pics in profile) -- my dr. quoted $9500 for self-pay.  I'm looking at thighs next, probably self-pay, at $8300.  I had Dr. Emily Ridgeway at Dartmouth Hitch**** Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.  She was absolutely wonderful and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. 

Thank you for sharing Laura.  You look wonderful!  I'm from MA and NH would feel a bit like going home.  Those prices don't seem too bad either.  I cannot be sure what I will need yet, but probably a lower body life and thighs too.  The scarring from the thighs and arms makes me nervous, but would have to be better than all this wrinkly skin!

From my experience and reading other's post about cost the Mid-west and smaller cities have the best prices. Any time you go to a major metropolitan area you'll find higher prices. As well as the East coast as their prices are generally higher than the mid-west and California. That being said I live in Grand Rapids MI which is becoming a big medical community w/ a lot of focus on building better hospitals. I worked w/ the surgeon who is in my RNY surgeons office. It's a smaller practice w/ only one PS and since he shares office space I believe he can keep his prices down. For all of my work (which was everything - LBL, Brachio, Thigh lift and BL/BA) I paid just over 23k whi*****luded hospital stays and all. His office will also work w/ your insurance company to see if any of the TT can be covered.

Good luck in finding the right surgeon for you.

Thank you Sonnie. 
I am from the East Coast and have spent a bit of time in CA and that is my thoughts on the prices too.  And since I can go pretty much anywhere.....
Everything you had done is on my wish list.  What a wonderful price!  Did you have the outcome you expected?  Any regrets?  A lot of questions but I am grateful for anything you are willing to share.  Would you mind sending me the name of your PS?  I am going to send you a friend request and you can PM if you would.

my surgeon was Dr. Andrew Livingston. I have absolutely no regrets. He was a great Dr. and his staff is nothing but helpful.  I have very minimal scarring and love the results. Would do it again in a heartbeat.