Plastics Questions

So these have probably been asked before but my searches on OH are never helpful so please bear with me.

I'm almost 8 months out. I'm at 157 lbs. I'm hoping to lose another 10 but I look darn good right now.

However, even though when I stand up, I look slim (or as slim as I'm gonna get), when I sit down the top of my belly flops down over my belly button by a few inches and the lower belly (the hangs over my thighs (not horrendously but it always  hangs if I'm sitting or standing). I've been getting a rash on my belly since I sit all day at my job. And, ewwww, I have a fungal infection on my belly. Have a prescription from my PCP.

So I've got some questions if anyone has any info:

1) How long do I have to wait? Is it too early to have a consultation now?

2) Anyone you'd recommend?

3) What am I looking at for cost? Will insurance pay for it because I've been getting these lovely fungal infections?
I'd like to have my belly done, top and bottom. My thighs as well (i think it would just be groin?). Would love a boob job and work on the arms but those can wait since they are just unsightly and not causing problems besides me being seen naked with the lights on.

4) Since its the top of my belly that hangs down the most, what kind of procedure is that?

Thank you so much! I didn't think I'd be concerned about plastics at this point but it seems like with all this extra stuff on my belly I could actually be at goal if the extra skin were gone.

I don't have any answers for you, but I love the way you say "I look darn good right now"
Good for you, isnt it a good feeling.
I'm only 11 weeks out and down 48 pounds and I feel so wonderful and I think I look darn good too.  Ha ha.
Nancy

It probably isn't too early to have a consultation, but I think most PS docs would prefer you to be more than a year out and have stabilized in your weight for a while.

You WL surgeon's office probably has someone they can recommend, but there is also a Plastic Surgery forum on here - you can post these questions there and get some more enlightened or educated answers.

As far as insurance goes, you would have to check with your plan.  I know that my plan doesn't cover it unless it is medically necessary, and even then it is difficult to prove...if you are having fungal infections and they are being taken care of by the prescription from you PCP, they may say that is all they will cover as it is taking care of it.

The one thing that I do know....document, document, document...pictures, appts. with your PCP, have them document, call them all the time...every time the fungal infection shows up again, etc. The more that you have documented, the better chance you have...and even then, it will all depend upon your insurance carrier.

Best of luck to you...and keep us posted as to how it goes!

We can talk Friday!!

I had PS about a year out. had the torsoplasty, i think it was called. incision all the way around. also had breast lift. it cost $15,000. all out of pocket but it was really worth it.  I had doctor from yhis cite, can't say name right now (forget stuff) it was done in one day surgery. i felt horrible the first 24 hrs and then ok.
best of luck, i'll look up drs name and list it. he was very good!!!!!

Dr. Michael Fashing!!!

Anna,

I had exactly what Linda C. had done by Dr. Michael Fasching at Westhealth in Plymouth back in 2004.  To answer your question about what to do about the UPPER tummy, Dr. Fasching cut me up the middle as well.  Tightened the abdominals and took care of the upper skin on the tummy.  Five years later, that scar is nearly invisible and I'm glad I had that done.  I was 16 months post-op at my plastics and my weight was pretty stable.  I'm happy to say that 6 years WLS post-op I'm still about the same weight - had some ups and downs....but I'm back to my weight where I stick to most of the time.

I never had rashes so I didn't have insurance coverage - so I paid it with my home equity line of credit.  You pay thousands for a car that depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot....we APPRECIATE....so I had no trouble spending it on me.  Five years plastics post-op - everything is still where it's supposed to be!

Good Luck!

 

 I had a lower body left when I was about 15 months out.  My daughter-in-law had a TT and BL when she was only 6 months out.

Both surgeries were extremely successful and WORTH EVERY PENNY. My LBL was $11k

Thanks also to Dr. MICHAEL FASCHING!!!  He'll tell you if you're ready or not.  And, will also tell you what procedure(s) is the right one for you.

http://www.faschingmd.com/

~ BJ

hey Anna!  We talked on Saturday about this and I am happy you are looking to go for consults.  I would go for at least 3 and weigh your options.  My legs and stomach (upper and lower skin) were paid for by insurance so it's possible to get it covered.

I know there is alot of love for Dr Fasching, but of the 3 people i personally know, 2 had complications and he wasn't very helpful when things started going wrong and they ended up seeing different surgeons to help them with their infections/complications   It really pays to go for as many consults as you can

Just thought I'd add that I had a complication with my surgery, my back opened up a few inches.  Dr. Fasching was very good with the followup after that, he restitched me and I went back numerous times during the healing of it for checkups.   I can't attest to others' experiences, just wanted to mention that he didn't leave me flying in the wind.