Recent Posts
Topic: RE: plastic surgery after weight loss surgery
I am 57 years old and have lost 163 pounds since Feb. '02. I had lost 100 pounds on WW when I was 28 years old, and have had two pregnancies. So my skin is terrible!. It went back so nicely when I was 28. Not so this time. I have plastic surgery scheduled for Sept. 17 for an abdominoplasty and bilateral thigh lift. I was preliminarily approved for insurance coverage on the spot for the tummy but may be paying out of pocket for the thighs. I am more than willing to do so because the skin hangs down over my knees and causes problems in some cuts of pants. I also have bad arthritis and think this will help. I, too, sometimes think I am just being vain and there is some truth to that. Maybe I'm making up for never having enough confidence in my looks to be vane before. At my age I've decided that it's MY time and I'm worth it. You are, too. As for a doctor, I live in MI so I'm probably not much help. I had my surgery done at a BTC which had a reconstructive surgeon on staff. However, they discontinued their contract with my insurance, BC/BS, so I got the number for his private practice and have worked with him there - with insurance coverage. Do you go to a support group? Any help there? Also seems like this website would be helpful although I didn't need to use it for this purpose. Best of luck to you!
Topic: plastic surgery after weight loss surgery
Hi everyone. Wanted to post and let all the recent post ops know they are doing so great and let any pre-ops know that I read the board daily and dont post much anymore but always answer questions at my e-mail which is in the patient directory. ([email protected]) I had my surgery 16 months ago and have lost almost 150lbs so far! I am happy to have this tool for weight loss and would say go for it to those who are apprehensive, just be sure you know as much as possible cause I do believe that knowing all the info helps you through this journey and dont be afraid to ask questions! As far as me, I am in the process of looking for surgeons for plastic surgery for the loose skin, if anyone out here has any suggestions as to who they used I would appreciate it alot. The one I was oringinally going to go to doesn't accept my insurance. I am very scared about getting more surgery, although the skin removal is to make you more comfortable I am being vane about how it will end up looking! I must be crazy! I have been on/off depressed about the loose skin for sometime, I have 20 more lbs to lose and I almost wanna keep it so I dont get any baggier, well if anyone out there has suggestions as to who they used I would appreciate an e-mail, or anyone who may even have some skin issues , tips?? Sounds stupid but I go from FAT, to what I call a smaller sized baggy elephant, I feel better health wise 100% and am so thankful for that BUT I am so sad as to how I look , especially naked. Would I rather be fat? NO, BUT sometimes people dont realize that under these clothes lies many many wrinkles!! UGH.....sorry to be a downer on that note but I am just looking to find some more people who are inthe same boat...... =0) Ami
Topic: 17 months out and feeling great!
My surgery date was February 4, 2002. I've lost 107 lbs and feel wonderful. How much weight have others at this stage lost? Am I on target? I seem to be losing much more slowly now, but most importantly am not gaining. At what point do you begin to consider a tummy tuck? The fold of sagging skin is really bothering me and I want to begin thinking about having something done about it. Is insurance approval for a tummy tuck possible? I have Anthem CovaCare insurance through the State of Virginia. Congrats to all of you who have taken this journey!
Topic: RE: Eighteen Months already???!!!
Dear Ann,
Congrats on your success!! I am `16 months post op and feeling very blessed also!! Keep it up and keep smiling!! Lots of love, Lori
Topic: Eighteen Months already???!!!
Well, it's been 18 months and I could not be happier. My weight is down 115 lbs now...I must admit I haven't been doing everything right but I am much better than I ever was and while my weight is coming off ever so slowly now, it is staying off and when could I ever say that? NEVER!
I feel healthier, prettier, calmer, happier and my social life is more on track because of this new found energy, and a wardrobe that I don't tire of wearing!
This has indeed been my miracle. I thank God for taking me to this place.
Ann
Topic: Surgery Date 2/22/02
Anyone out there with the same date? Please read my reply to Shanterri. I hope you have had as good an experience as I have.
Topic: RE: It's been a wonderfull year!!!
It sure has! Almost to a year and half now. I, too, am now wearing size 16 and even some 14's. Unfortunately I seem to have turned my food addictions into shopping addiction. I have an entire walk-in closet of clothing to wear in the future that I have purchased on sales. Some has been given to me too. It is just so cool to buy a $60 Eddie Bauer wool skirt for $10 out of season. That NEVER happened when I was wearing 5X and could only shop from catalogs. To tell the truth, I couldn't shop at 5X - not because the stores didn't carry it but because I couldn't walk or stand long enough to shop when I weighed 378 pounds.
Other wonderful things are not having to use a seatbelt extender on a plane or in the car, being able to cross my legs, taking ballroom dancing lessons and going to dances, even pulling weeds! I have a surgery date for a tummy tuck and thigh lift on Sept. 17. Tummy tuck was approved right away and am working on approval for legs. I will pay out of pocket if I have to because this flab's just gotta gol. Arms and chin will be done later as an out-patient. Best of luck as we continue our journey together.
Topic: RE: It's been a wonderfull year!!!
I must agree it's been GREAT....... NOT easy but great none the less. I have lost 113lbs and have gone from a 22-24 to a size 6 
I'm now within 5lbs of my goal (i should say new goal as my orginal goal was a size 12) It was a VERY rough start but thankfully I had a wonderful surgeon and a great team of Doc s. My surgery was a complete success BUT we discovered that I am DEATHLY allergic to the antbiotic Levaquin. My liver went into complete failure before I was out of surgery and it is soooo rare that they had to call in a liver transplant surgeon who said that he had never seen it before but had heard of 2 cases where Levaquin had put livers into failure. Thankfully he was there because by that point I was truly on my way out. So although it was near death experience I still tell surgery canidates that it is worth it BUT I fel that it is VERY important to understand that ANY surgery could be fatal.......but carrying 100 plus lbs around too could be fatal!!!!!!!! have spoke with many patients prior to and following surgery and it's ALWAYS greaat to see the changes it brings.
I am now trying to find a plastic surgeon to do my breast reconstruction. The only one I've seen so far said that my BCBS PPO wouldn't cover it but I'm confident that she is incorrect as I have recently read on this sight where a lady had: mastoplexy, lap and calfs done and the only thing here BCBS PPO wouldn't cover was the lipo. of her calves. So I still have hope!!!!!! I hope stays well for you and keep up the good work!!!!!!! I am now able to get around much better. I have severe arthritist and have had for 20+ yrs so this was my entire reason for the procedure but I must say the good looks are a wonderful "side effect"!!!!!!!! It's good to hear these success stories. Betz
I'm now within 5lbs of my goal (i should say new goal as my orginal goal was a size 12) It was a VERY rough start but thankfully I had a wonderful surgeon and a great team of Doc s. My surgery was a complete success BUT we discovered that I am DEATHLY allergic to the antbiotic Levaquin. My liver went into complete failure before I was out of surgery and it is soooo rare that they had to call in a liver transplant surgeon who said that he had never seen it before but had heard of 2 cases where Levaquin had put livers into failure. Thankfully he was there because by that point I was truly on my way out. So although it was near death experience I still tell surgery canidates that it is worth it BUT I fel that it is VERY important to understand that ANY surgery could be fatal.......but carrying 100 plus lbs around too could be fatal!!!!!!!! have spoke with many patients prior to and following surgery and it's ALWAYS greaat to see the changes it brings.
I am now trying to find a plastic surgeon to do my breast reconstruction. The only one I've seen so far said that my BCBS PPO wouldn't cover it but I'm confident that she is incorrect as I have recently read on this sight where a lady had: mastoplexy, lap and calfs done and the only thing here BCBS PPO wouldn't cover was the lipo. of her calves. So I still have hope!!!!!! I hope stays well for you and keep up the good work!!!!!!! I am now able to get around much better. I have severe arthritist and have had for 20+ yrs so this was my entire reason for the procedure but I must say the good looks are a wonderful "side effect"!!!!!!!! It's good to hear these success stories. Betz Most Active
Recent Topics
