Plastics, Pain, Dr Durham Smith???

Hey everyone, I am researching plastics even though I won't be having none of my surgeries until the end of June (hubby has a 2 week vacation that starts the first of June and he wants me to wait till then.), I have found a surgeon, I have a consult with Dr Durham Smith next Monday. He comes highly recommended by my gastric bypass surgeon. My insurance co says they will pay for whatever procedures I need as long as they are medically necessary and I have been advised by Dr Durham Smiths office to do a weekly/monthly log of skin problems I might have as I lose more. So I went back and done that from August (when I had lost 70 pounds) till now and will keep doing that. They also advised me to start taking pics of myself, well to have my hubby do it. That is extremely embarrassing but whatever helps me get approved. I am excited about my consult. I guess they will take pics, document my rashes, sores, back shoulder, arm pain. They aren't submitting anything yet because I still have 21 pounds to lose until I get to my surgeons goal of 160. He says he will be happy when I get there but if I want to lose more he doesn't want me below 140. I am going to talk to the plastic surgeon and see how much or if any pounds I might lose with the surgerys. I was going to wait until I get to 140 before I submitted for approval but I might not need to get down that low if plastics will help me lose 10 or more pounds. I'll just have to see what the dr says. I am wanting to get my tummy tuck, (I have a hernia there so I assume that will be repaired as well), a breast lift, (I have to pay for the implants themselves but not the lift, it seems that flat, fallen boobs are not a medical necessity for implants), my arms, my thighs. I think thats it. I will know more Monday. They say they can do all this in one day, I prefer to do it that way to get it over with. To those of u who have had all or any of these procedures, what is the pain like? I had Open RNY gastric bypass and it wasn't as bad as I was afraid it would be. Any info on any of these procedures would be appreciated! Thanks Angela Open RNY 3/24/05 313/181/140? -132lbs so far....

Angela, Hi, My name is patty from Rhyniville area. I have been reading your site. Congrats on your wait loss. Please take a picture with you smiling. I know if I had the sucess you have had I would be smiling. I am still fighting insurance Patty

Hi Patty, sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I have had a sinus cold and felt pretty rough. I did post a pic just now of me smiling, thank u for being so sweet. What sort of problems are u having with your insurance? I had problems getting my surgery approved also. If u want to talk just email, or IM me. I might be local if u want to call. Email me privately and I will give u my phone number. If u ever want to chat I am here for ya. Heres my email [email protected] I also have a yahoo messenger for chatting [email protected] Hugs Angela

Good Luck Angela...I have heard different docs speak and they all say pretty much the same thing, it depends on how long the procedure takes..they don't want to keep you under longer than necessary..some will do certain procedures all at once ...but not all of them.. I heard the pain is not good, that is the reason I have not had anything done yet myself..I am the worlds biggest chicken..lol ask the doc about the pain pump..again depending..some use them some do not.. you will do great!! by the way congrats on the great weight loss!! Brenda

Hi Brenda, I guess I will find out tomorrow how Dr Durham Smith does it. There was a lady at his office I talked with when I made the appt and she said they could do it all at once but it will be up to the Dr. I know the pain will be bad, I just want it over with once I do it. The pain will get better and when its gone I will be done with surgerys hopefully! Thank u and congrats to u as well! Angela

Hey Angela! How did your appointments go? At first, I was not considering plastic surgery but now I am developing rashes under my hanging tummy .....so I guess it is in the distant future! Take care, Bernice....................

Hi Bernice, I haven't gone yet. I had to reschedule until Feb 1 cause my daughter was sick...I can't wait to go up there and talk to them though... I will let ya know how it is. Angela

Cool! Please keep in touch! Bernice...............

Of course u too! Email me anytime. I have aol for a few more days. My aol email is [email protected], I am getting alltel dsl before Friday but I will let u know when it changes. I also have a yahoo messenger for chatting [email protected] Love to hear from ya Ange