Summary of PS Consult

Thought I'd share about my PS Consult. I'm lucky enough to live in Houston where Dr. LoMonaco practices. He is the PS who writes in on the OH PS board. He is extermely expericed with post WLS patients. In order of "need/want", these are the procedures I asked about; Lower Body Lift, Arm Lift, Breast Lift, and Inner Thigh Lift. The LBL is actually 5 procedures in one; Tummy Tuck, Butt Lift, Lipo and Mons/Pubic Lift. After taking picutres, Dr. L said he was comfortable with going ahead with PS now. I only have about 15lb of extra "fat" and it was all in my thighs. He said could the LBL and either Arm Lipo and/or the Arm Lift in one surgery depending on how well the LBL went. The worse case quote, meaning no insurance, was a little less than $24K. Even if Insurance did kick in, it would only cover the Tummy Tuck. Dr. L is out of my insurance network, so then it would 70/30% after my deductible. Baiscally, to get the LBL and AL, I need to come up with about $20K in cash. Looks like with my 401K and Bonus next year, I can have the surgery done. The worst case on Phase 2 surgeries (everything not done in Phase one) was $13K. I'd been hoping to have it done in Decemeber because of work. We're moving buildings, and I know I cannot take time off (4 to 6 weeks****il after the move in April. Nothing like putting in a new server room. Oh well, this will give me a chance to save more money and lose those last 15lbs. I had really hoped that I could get away with not having PS. However, everything is sagging. I've always had an apron/panni, but now my mons sags several inches as well. All the excess skin is making sex with my DH a *****allenging at times. My butt and thighs look like pizza dough. It makes me sad to still feel ashamed of my body after loosing so much weight. Now I can fit into mid length skirts, shorts, sleveless tops, but won't because of all the skin. I don't want to wear a binkini, but its hard to find long sleve bathing suits. Hope everyone is doing well. Who has had a PS consult? How's the skin hanging? I'd love to hear about your expereinces.

Hi Torrey, Wow, this is great info...thanks for sharing. I haven't had a consult yet, but am going to need PS done for sure. I absolutely have always hated my arms. I also have about 40 more pounds to go to my goal of 150...doctors goal feels unrealistic to me at 130...so I've decide that 150 is more relistic at this point in the game for me. I will start interviewing in December I think and look to have a consult scheduled for around mid-Feb. I'm going to Haiwaii with my folks to celebrate their 50th anniversary in later Jan... early Feb. They were married on Feb 2, 1957 so I don't want to have an appt that might interfer with this trip. I appreciate that you gave us prices. I haven't visited the PS board yet and really need too. I had forgotton about it until you mentioned in your post. I'll check it out for sure. Have a great weekend! Lori 293/192/150

Congrats on taking the next step in this weight loss journey!! I was hoping to not have any plastics as well, but the apron was just too awful! I had the abdominoplasty a little over 2 weeks ago and am so happy that I did! What a joy to have that hanging thing gone! The rest of me has firmed up pretty good, but I guess those ole abdominal muscles were shot after 2 kids, 3 surgeries and lots of over eating ! My insurance has an exclusion against any plastic surgery, so I had to pay out of pocket, but it was well worth it! You will be so happy you had this! Good luck and I hope insurance covers some of these procedures for you! Chris From Hanna, Indiana Dr. Schram/Barix Ypsilanti August 9, 2005 48 y/o 5"2" 268/135 133 pounds gone! Yahoo! Extended abdominoplasty - 09/25/06

Hija, Do they charge you for the consult? I'd like to find out what they'd say, but it's not worth more than my co-pay to find out. Dawn

Good Question. The consult was $140. I haven't come across any that were free. I've heard rumors, but most that are advertised as "free" depend on if the doctor is in your insurance network and if your insurance covers PS consults. I have another consult scheduled with Dr. Camille Cash, the cost is $100. Torrey

I was told not to consult until atleast 18 months post-op, but I think I am going in January. I'm not losing weight now, so I am gonna see what they say. I know how you feel... It's great to lose all the weight, but then the skin is almost as bad! I hate it too. U need to add more pics Clarissa