WLS & Plastic Surgery

Hello, my mom & I are wanting surgery but have several questions we haven't seen posted on the board. With WLS, does every one require/need plastic surgery? We understand the excess skin with rapid weight loss but are there exceptions, ie. amount of time obese, age, weight, etc? Are there people who lost weight and didn't require plastic surgery because of their skin elasticity? We are concerned about the expense of plastic surgery within one year of the surgery. Does anyone know if United Healthcare pays for plastic surgery? How about Medicaid? I can see necessity of the "apron" but wonder about arms & thighs. Thanks for everything. This is a great place for questions, answers & support!

no, everyone does not have to have PS. I am 57 years old and lost 100 pounds last year after having surgery in Feb., 2003. Sure I am flabby but attribute that mostly to lack of exercise and "old age" LOL. My belly does have a little sag but no panni. The skin does not overlap anywhere. My thighs are the ugliest and i would feel self-concious about wearing a bathing suit but those new ones with the shorts will work great for me if I ever go buy one. My face is more wrinkled now. My surgeon said it does depend on your age and how long you have been overweight and how much overweight. I gained 85 pounds in six months after I had a takedown of the old jib surgery. When I had the takedown, I was overweight but not considered morbid obese. I was only morbidly obese for about eight months and had gained most of the weight in my thighs and belly. So considering it all, I feel very fortunate, at my age, not to have that terrible panni like some of the much younger gals have. It certainly isn't flattering to bee all the flab and sag but not bad either. Hope this helps.