looking for reputable plastic surgeon--Help!

I don't know if I'm in the right forum or not, I seem to be having a lot more trouble finding my way around ObesityHelp.com than I used to. Anyway, I need to find out about plastic surgeons in my area who specialize in doing plastic surgery on people who've had gastric by-pass surgery. I had a Roux-n-Y September 13 of 2006 and have lost 97 pounds, but have been stuck in the same place for 8 months now with my weight loss stalled. I typically need to lost 50 more pounds to be absolutely not obese, but taking into account my age (57) and various health problems like cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, I have to go easy on the exercise. Actually, I'd be happy with 30 more pounds lost (I was 279 pre-surgery, now I sit stuck between 183 and 186). I've been trying to do water aerobics, but I have to drive a long way to get to the kind of place I need (the kind that keeps a crash cart nearby! lol) so can only do that 2-3 times a week. It would be so much better if I could walk for exercise the rest of the time, but the weight of my stomach and some other problems make that nearly impossible. My family is after me to see about plastic surgery for a panni, because my stomach is half-way to my knees and makes walking so difficult. I felt I should lose more weight first, but now I've been told by a couple people that having a panni would help my back and enable me to do more exercise so I could lose more and would help me break out of this slump I seem to be in weight-loss-wise. So I promised I would at least see a surgeon to get an opinion, but I want one who specializes in this kind of plastic surgery. I need to find one in either the Hickory, North Carolina area or Charlotte (I live in Lincolnton). I'm single and my siblings have to be the ones who are my support group in any surgery so I don't want them having to drive several hours to visit me or bring me home from the hospital. What I am looking for in other words are some recommendations for reputable, board-certified plastic surgeons in the Hickory and Charlotte area, who specialize in treating former gastric-bypass patients. Thanks! I need the information as soon as possible.

 

Starfish, for some reason your message did not show up, although the first part of it did show up on an email to me from ObesityHelp letting me know you had replied. Just when I got here there was no message at all.

Thanks for trying anyway,

Lori

Hi Lori,      I went to Hickory..Asheville...and Boone. I had my Breast done in Asheville and I wasn't a bit satisfied with them.  I ended up having a partial lbl at Boone and Dr. Anagnos is GREAT!!!  You wouldn't believe the difference in the look of the (scar line).  I had my first stage on 9/18/07 and I am having the other half  1/29.  He is very informative about what is best.  He knows how to touch and deal with WLS patients.  There are several Dr.'s don't want to take on WLS.  I wish you the best in your PS journey and I highly recommmend Dr. Damon Anagnos in Boone...828-268-0082... Blessings Sandy

Hi Sandy,

And thanks for you reply, I'm afraid Boone is too far away, too. In 1990 I had a breast reduction in Winston-Salem, a long way from where I lived then. But my mother was alive and doing well and she stayed in a hotel near the hospital. That's just not possible for my siblings, I'm afraid and my dear mother is gone. I think what I need is the panni and then probably some of the new type lipo on the upper abdomen. I'll let you know what I find out when I finally find some surgeons to see.

Lori

I saw a PS in Concord. I did not choose him for my surgery. I know several people who had him do surgery, but none of them had had gastric bypass. I just didn't feel comfortable with him. I choose a PS in Raleigh. The PS surgeon I initially choose moved from Raleigh to Rutherfordton. Is that any where close to you? If so I will give you his name. He moved prior to the day I wanted to have surgery. I eneded up having plastic surgery with his senior partner. I'm thrilled with the results. Feel free to view my pics on my profile. I suggest you have 2 to 3 consults. Get a variety of opinions. Ask to look at pics. Some consults are free. Some charge a small fee. Concord was free, Raleigh was 75.00 that went to price of surgery. It is much easier to exercise without the huge pannus hanging. Mine was 11.5 pounds. Belinda

I want to find the best surgeon, but I'm afraid that Raleigh and Rutherfordton are too far away for me. I will most likely have to pay for the surgery myself and i don't want to have to add motel fees (for myself during pre-surgery visits for one thing). It seems impossible to me that there wouldn't be some reputable plastic surgeon doing pannies in Hickory with all the people who have this surgery in the two hospitals there. Or at least in Charlotte. I live about 40 minutes from Charlotte and about 35 from Hickory. Perhaps I will at least get some opinions from them. Actually I have done very well with my surgery, no side effects and getting around comparatively well, but I've been at this plateau and I don't believe it's the fault of what I eat. So that means that I don't exercise enough and, as you said, it's very hard to do that when your belly hangs half-way to your knees. I have skinny arms and legs and have to get huge pants for my waist and then my belly hangs down through the leg holes (blechhhh!). If I can't get down to what my weight should be at 135, I will even settle for 145-155. But 183 is still too obese when I'm on insulin. thanks for your reply. :) Lori

The PS I saw in Concord required an overnight stay because of the extended nature of my surgery. The PS I went with just required me to stay in a hotel overnight. I live about 100 miles from Raleigh. I'm sure there are lots of good PS around Charlotte. I had my consult with the group in Raleigh because thats who my gastric bypass surgeon recommends. Check with your gastric bypass surgeon to see who he reccomends. Check with your support group. I perfectly understand about getting pants to fit the belly. I have gone from a 14 to 8's and 10's with the TT. Clothes look so much better when they fit a more proportioned body. Good luck in your search.  Belinda

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/a,messagebo ard/board_id,4861/ Here's a link to the plastic surgery forum. Belinda

Lori - sorry I cannot help with a name for you however wanted to ask if you had posted this on the Plastic Surgery forum here on OH. You might get more answers there. Good luck and keep us posted Mary