Bad P.S. visit

Well, here's the update on my consult with the plastic surgeon today.... First, he was all, Oooh Ahhh, you have done so well, blah blah blah... Then he had me strip and he and his nurse came back in. He got this awful look on his face and said, "Hmmm, I don't know....... You are going to be an AWFULLY HIGH RISK patient, seems you have very deep stretch marks which might cause infection after TT and even skin necrosis". I was like WHAT????????? Then I asked, "Have you worked on WLS patients before?" he said he had but only over the past 2 years really. Well, that being said, we moved on. So he's liftin skin, moving things around and chit chatting about the HANG down there. He said, you definately have a lot of skin to be removed. Ok, THEN....... he said something about smoking. I said, "I have been smoke free for 9 days!" (extremely proud of that too might I add). He gets a nasty look on his face and said, "Come back in 6 months!" I nearly bawled. Then he went on to explain that with the high risk I already have due to deep stretch marks, smoking on top of that quadruples my chances of infection and skin necrosis. Then he said, "Get that hernia fixed NOW, it's bad!" Well NO DUH! My doc won't do it cuz I'm too "heavy" that's why I came to you! GRRRR. Of couse I cried all the way home, but I do understand. NOW, my trouble is this. I'm GOING to get my hernia fixed THIS MONTH~ I don't care WHAT I have to do to get it done, but I can't take the pain anymore........ But beyond that, maybe I shouldn't have TT later (in 6 months). I don't know if I want to chance my skin turning black and falling off because I have a LOT of deep stretch marks all the way around my middle and sides. I don't know what I'll do. Have any of you had deep stretch marks and came out of TT ok? Well, that's my rant. Hope your all doing well. ((((((HUGS))))))))) Tammy

Hmmmm, I guess I didn't know you could have deep stretch marks...I guess I would find a different surgeon especially if this one has the bedside manner of a troll. I can understand the smoking thing, but I do congratulate you on quitting But smoking increases your risks of other problems by such a huge margin...I was a smoker too. Where are you in IA? I am sorry you had such a bad experience, I wish I could help you more. I had my tuck a month ago, I have stretch marks still, he never said anything about those. Heather

Hi Tammy, Hugs first of all. What an arrogant b*****d!!!!! Find yourself another surgeon, you don't have to take that from anyone. Sounds kind of lazy & self centered, deep stretch marks indeed, HELLO! I don't think there is a one of us out there that can say they were obese without stretch marks. Try someone else hon & keep us posted. Hugs Carolyn

Hello Tammy I agree with Carolyn thats not right. i'm so sorry hugs to you. but yea I would go see another Dr and see what they say because if thats true we all have stretch marks even at 2 years out. im here for you. take care keep me updated. Laurie

Tammy, Tammy, Tammy.........I guess that I would have to agree with everyone else that you need to find another surgeon. Can you get in to talk with someone else before your hernia surgery? Deep stretch marks - yeah right - who doesn't have them?????? I got them from head to toe and my feet are the only part of my body that won't need surgery!!! See someone else, hon and take care of you. And those cigs, lay off them for good, please. Luv ya too much to see something even worse happen because of them. (I can get on a soapbox now, can't I? It's been 11 months since I had a puff!) hang in there and let us know what you decide. God bless, Andrea

Tammy, Let me jump on the band wagon... and offer sympathies... but don't have a pitty party. DON'T GIVE UP! Wasn't aware of stretch mark issue... mine look like a topicgraphical map of various mountain regions. You don't have kids w/o getting them, I didn't realize the importance, my PS did say that most of mine would be gone if we do an anchor cut. However I am aware that lots of infections are caused by low blood supplies to affected tissue... God job on the smoking... I gave up 20 times before it finally took. Ciggie butts are the Find another surgeon, and keep it up!!!!

I would check with the plastic surgeons at Iowa City. They do wonderful work & do lots of them. If deep stretch marks are a problem they would know what to do about it. Go to this page on this site http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/plastic+surgeons+in+iowa.html and choose Dr Aly. He has their website listed. Check it out. It will open up your eyes! I can't believe the changes. Dixie

I'm sorry, Tammy, I completely forgot about networks & such. DUH! I work for an insurance company! Hopefully you can find a good one in your network. Dixie

Could you please tell us what plastic surgeon you saw? If you don't want to say publically. email me at [email protected] Thanks