Question:
Is it worth the money, trouble and risk to have plastic surgery after losing 180 Lb?

To anyone who has had plastic surgery after losing a lot of weight, I would appreciate your input and advice on this matter. I have excessive amounts of sagging skin on my upper arms, thighs, abdomen and under chin after losing 180 lb. Weight loss was my main focus for so very long I didn't think loose skin would be a problem but I was wrong!Thanks in advance!    — michelle T. (posted on March 2, 2001)

March 2, 2001
Hi Michelle: Congratulations on your weight loss. I think you are really the only one who can answer your question. You say the loose skin is a problem, but not how much of a problem. Is one area in general more troublesome than another? Barb is right, the abdomen may be paid for by insurance, but it's not likely the other areas would be. Also how well did you do with your wls? That might be an indication as to how much risk further surgery would be to you. Now that you're more healthy the risks have decreased some, but with all surgery there's always some risk. Plastic surgery is expensive, but some doctors will probably work out a payment plan or you can do your own financing to pay for it. But if it's worth it financially to you or not really depends on what you think. I had plastic surgery before I tried to get the wls and it was pretty painful. But that might be just my experience, and you might do really well with it. Whatever you decide I wish you luck. And again congratulations on your weight loss success!!
   — sherry hedgecock

March 2, 2001
Hi Michelle: I've lost 170 lbs so far and half-way through a total body lift, and believe me it has been worth it. The difference in the last reconstructive procedures have made a major difference. So far the insurance has paid for most of it and the plastic surgeon has been very fair in doing a covered procedure with a not covered procedure to cut down on the cost of cosmetic. So far my arm and breast reduction were completely covered (done together), then my adbominoplasty (covered) and neck lift (not covered). My inner thigh lift is currently being submitted for approval with an eye lift (one can try) and implants. The last surgery will be the lower body lift (thighs and butt). After massive weight loss all these procedures are eligible to be covered by insurance as reconstructive (removal of redundant skin to restore a NORMAL appearance). We are just as elibible as the mastectomy patient who wants breast reconstruction. Of course, the problem is finding a plastic surgeon who doesn't prefer to deal with walking check books. It took me a number of consults to find one who actually WOULD SUBMIT FOR INSURANCE. They ALL say it won't be covered. But since they don't submit it,how would they know? I just came back from dinner with two new plastic surgery friends. One has also had all her plastic surgery covered and was the source of the referral to my PS. The other spent $30,000 just having a lower body lift (breasts and arms still asagging). She said her PS said they were denied and wondered about her chances of appealing. When I questioned her about her denial letter, she said they must have sent it to the PS. (She was very distressed to hear me say that they sent the denial letter to THE INSURED.) He never submitted it. Talk about using formerly MO people as cash cows. Nevertheless, she shared that she is happy she had it done, because even after losing the weight, she had not felt like she looked normal. That's the point. Plastic surgery is accessible to most of us and if you feel like this, you have the option. I'm so grateful that I do.
   — Jill L.