Anyone had PS consult yet?

I have been doing lots of research on this Plastic surgery stuff. I have been told that once you are only losing less than 2 pounds per month and your weight loss as slowed down then you can get plastic surgery. Also, they say that most patients will lose about 10 pounds after tummy tuck surgery. Anyone else have anymore findings or info? I have not scheduled a consult yet....waiting until my kids are back in school. Karie -96 size 10/12

Had my consult last week for panni and arms. I have Kaiser so I was told I did not meet the requirments for panni and they won't cover my arms either. He also said I am not done losing and should wait another year before getting a private consult. He figured in a year my body would be fully re-adjusted from the surgery, meaning the skin and all would be hanging where it's gonna hang, lol. Makes sense I guess and since I would need to pay outta' pocket I will need at least a year to save anyway. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Di~

Did he give you a ball park figure on your arms? My tummy isn't too bad, and I don't have that many infections, but I'd like the arms done as they hang down 6 inches.

I have aways to go yet....I am still 30 pounds from goal (my goal surgeon hasn't given me one) But I will surely need major work!!!! I have a good cahnce getting approved now with my insurance, since they covered the wls, and my ob/gyn thinks they will cover it.....he says I need it badly! On the bad news I just found out or insurance will be changing effective Jan 1st.....so I have no idea about the new insurance I will keep my fingers crossed and start saving my pennies.....I am more scared about p.s. than the wls.....is anyone else scared??? Take Care Jesi

I am not scared of ps...in the last 8 years I have had 8 major surgeries and the joke around our house is when I have surgery its like going to the spa!!! I did a online consult to just get some figures breast 5399.00 tummy 5299.00 And of course they say your cost is significantly lower when you combine the surgeries b/c its 1 hospital stay and 1 anesthia bill etc.... My insurance will pay for the tummy tuck if it hangs on or below your pubis. So I fit that definition. I am not sure what else I would have done...probably the breast. Karie -96 size 10/12

At what point is it considered the pubis?? I think I might have a small bulge there....where my hair starts growing...it hasn't happened yet but I am afraid I will get ingrown hairs so I avoid shaving that top part now....which KILLS me! I want to wait til AFTER babies in the next few years so I can keep the damage to a minimum! Would hate to spend all the $$$ and then stretch it back out... I think I am only down 5 lbs this month....I hope I am not slowing down that bad at only 7 months out. THIS isn't good! PLUS I want to get my BOOBS done...and figure after 2 kids suck the life out of them I will DEFINITELY qualify for some lifting!!! I used to get rashes under the breast before surgery.... has stopped for now but pregnancy might change that and help get that covered. I more than anything want my THIGHS done....I am not sure so changing my stretch marks on my arm for a BIG scar line will make that much of a difference so not sure IF I would do arms or not. BUT might as well knock it all out at once when I decide to do it!

I just asked my PCM to put in a referral to see a plastic surgeon. I don't know if my insurance will cover it but I won't know if I don't try!! I am excited at the thought of getting this extra skin off my tummy. Of course...I need my tummy done, my boobs lifted....lol (I might need a crane), my arms done, and my thighs done... if I ever want to look good in shorts. I would definitely settle for just my tummy and then work towards the other surgeries but a girl can dream!! ~Rachel -89 size 8 (some 6s at the Gap and Old Navy)

Hello Karie I have had 3 PS consults and have decided on my PS for TT and breast lift. The reccomendations that I have gotten said to wait till I was within 10lbs of goal for PS. I started at 245, down to 139 with an original goal of 140. Now that I am here I think I'd like to get to 130 before PS, which is okay since I do not plan on surgery till the fall and am sure I will be there then I was told that with the breast lift and TT I would lose another 5-6lbs. My reccomendations for consults is to get several. The 1st that I saw is the most expensive (I am self-pay) but by far the most skilled and I think that you get what you pay for. The other two really made my decision simple. One was very new and would only do 1 proceedure at a time the other was very experienced with PS, but not WLS patients and I was NOT impressed with his "after" pictures. My cost $$$$ 15,109 for both proceedures, all inclusive. Now to get DH to agree. He says that I look great just the way I am. Sweet DH, but I really want this for myself. Good luck in your PS search and please let us know what info you find. Kimberly

Most of the ps surgeons in the Atlanta area wait until you are at least 12 to 18 months post op or have not had a weight loss for a few months. I have a consult for Aug 5 for thigh reduction. I spoke with the dr after a support group meeting and when I showed her my pictures she said she would do something for me at 9 months. Then after I stabilize from the wls she would do a lower body lift. Unfortunately she is no longer in the BCBS network but I do have out of network benefits which pays at 60/40. As with the wls the wording is very vague about wether they will pay. My wls surgeon has given me his consent to persue the surgery at my 6 month checkup. So at my consult I will be 8 months out and hopefully with insurance approval having surgery sometime this fall! Marie, 1/2 the size from my highest weight {539} post op, 12/02/03 lap rny, Dr Hart -112 lbs from surgery -48 lbs as a preop -109 lbs due to anemia illness {11/01} working on reconstructive surgery

I had a consult for my arms and breasts. It was 10600.00 for both, that includes anesthesia, all the garments you need also. He said he would do my arms and breasts now but would wait until after a year post op to do my tummy. My tummy doesn't bother me much though. My breasts look like national geographic women. I'd need implants besides the tuck because my skin is so lax and my breasts are such different sizes. That was a consult with a surgeon in Athens, ga that I've heard good things about. Pam 12/16/03 288.5/180/165