Does anyone know of....

A good Plastic surgeon in the LI area? I'm looking to get my arms done, I want to get them done before the spring.... I wanna look hot in a wedding dress and I found a beautiful one, but it's strapless, and there aint no way in hell I can be seen in it with my batwings!! I know i'm only 8 months out, but I'm 20 lbs from my surgeons goal, 35 from my own goal and since I know my insurance wont cover arms, I figured what the hell, time to do something for me!! If anyone has any referrals I would appreciate it!! Hugs to everyone!! I know I havent been on alot, but I am trying to catch up!! Gia 258 starting weight 165 present weight 145 Dr's goal 125 My goal 7lbs from century club!!!

Gia: I am from upstate NY, I can not recommend a good Plastic Surgeon who is familiar and experienced with bariatric patients in your area. (*I can tell you how amazing my PS is from Albany though) Dr. Joshua King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com he is VERY experienced w/ post-bariatric body contouring and I must add an artist! (I have had 3 surgeries, first 2 6/2004 a lower body lift and breast augmentation total cost out of my pocket $12,750 (his fees/imlants {$1,200} were $8K and hospital/anesthesia for 2 day stay was $4,500), next was inner Thigh Lipo same day surgery 11/2005 ~ $3,000 total oc fee/site/anesthesia)..I am very happy w/ all results! ALTHOUGH I recommend you consult with (at least 2 probably) VERY experienced plastic surgeons familiar with US! (post bariatric patients) our bodies/needs/skin are not the run of the mill that PS usually see!! This leads me to this comment:WHEN the time comes. I know you didn't ask this opinion but I strongly encourage you to reconsider and DO LOTS of research on plastics ...please (as to what types, who to consult with and timing after wls etc.)...This or any PS is a MAJOR lifelong decision, hopefully not made on impulse or to wear a certain dress etc (Parties/celebrations come and go but your results/scars desires will not!)... 8 months out is VERY VERY early (unless it is causing a severe medical issue/pain etc.) FIRST what your talking about may decrease the BULK of tissue, but you will trade that option for a LONG and quite noticable scar in most instances...You will want to see surgeons work on pts similar to you, look at many photos online too please! (NOT to sway you just to help u make an educated and informed decision!) Also surgery results can take MANY MANY months, I mean 6, 8, 12 for full effect, swelling may be quite severe for 3 months or MORE! Scarring to calm down and fade may be a year or more! (bruising happens early on, in addition to swelling, possiblynerve injury etc) So if you had a brachioplasty today you still most likely wouldn't be seen in a strapless dress in the spring...! (just my opinion again). I can appreciate your enthusiasm and desires, I was scared and esthatic when I considered my plastics (18 mo out and wt stable >6mo)..I just urge you some caution on this! I beleive a good PS won't operate (unless Medically necessary and I don't see in your case from what you've said it is****il AT THE VERY VERY least 1 year out....This is a time of change, people can lose for many times 18-24 monhts, WOULD you want to have PS, only to have more loss and more hanging skin? The rule of thumb is get to stable wt for 6 months! MANY wlser do regain wt also! Just some points to ponder to make YOUR DECISION OK! (How important is this event? in the scheme of your life, will there be other times to wear an amazing dress?) Oh and many of us want to combine procedures to cut costs (many surgeons reduce their fees and then there is only one anesthesia/OR/facility fee) or if insurance happens to cover a peice costs to you are again less. Money isn't a factor for everyone I know but a point anyways... I did not need a brachioplasty, but know many friends and people in my support groups who have and did have them. EVEN with an excellent surgeon the results are for some, NOT WORTH THAT SCAR. No one knows how you will scar, this line that can extend from armpit to elbow almost can be quite prominent, red, raised (Can keloid)...*I* can not see how that is better in SOME aspects for an occasion of wearing a strapless dress? But that is just my opinion. We trade scars, thoughtfully and carefully placed that can be hidden (like my LBL scar is hidden under a thong bikini, my Breast aug scars are hidden under the breast, my thigh lipo scars are hiddenin the groin)..THERE IS NO HIDING brachioplasty scars w/ a strapless dress, with 1/2 or 3/4 length sleeves yes, with yur arms down at your sides, MAYBE (some scars widen, seem to migrate and can be visible (I have a freind whose were not done right I beleive and can be seen when her arms are at her sides in the BACK! YIKES)... Also this is MAJOR surgery, the info I have from web on time/costs are as follows: Brachioplasty around $2-4K surgeons fees give/take then OR/Anesthesia/facility fee a 2-3 hr procedure. (probably OR/facility/Anesthesia will run another $2K) http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ http://www.cosmeticplasticsurgerystatistics.com/statistics.html Upper Arm Lift Excess skin and fat on underside of arm $3,056 (surgen fee)2 hours http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/arm/brachioplasty_armlift.html http://www.plasticsurgeryimaging.com/d_arm_lift_pictures.php http://www.drfedele.com/procedures/body/upperarmlift.shtml then click on view phots, 2 patients! looks like significant scar, may be over yrold as not so red, but its there! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.infoplasticsurgery.com/bodycontouring/arm-lift-photos.html The arm lift incision runs all the way from the armpit to the elbow on the inside of the arm. Those who are considering brachioplasty must understand that they will be left with long scars on the insides of their arms. Three layers of sutures are used: a deep layer of dissolving stitches; a middle layer of sutures to close the incision and a top layer of light sutures to create a thin scar. Following surgery, a dressing is applied and your arms are wrapped in elastic bandages. Risks include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, scarring and numbnesswhich may be permanent. The biggest drawback is the resulting heavy scar thatruns down the inside of your arm. Most patients find it necessary to wear longsleeved clothing after surgery to hide the scar. If the lymphatic vessels are damaged during the operation, permanent swellingwill occur. Bruising and swelling will be marked for at least two weeks and youwill need painkillers for the first few days. The compression garment you aregiven must be worn for a week. While most people return to work after a week,you should avoid lifting anything heavy until the incisions are fully healed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 good yahoo groups are: (to learn about plastics and see photos) http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GastricBypass-PlasticSurgery http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSandPlasticSurgery http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ossgplasticsurgery2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.drrickrosen.com/brachio.htm Wt loss slows around this time also at 8mo for some, it may take you many many more months to lose 20 more # or the 40# you want (hard work may help) some do not reach their lowest goal as wls is meant to help us attain a 50-75% excess wt loss, not always an ideal BW (I am not saying it can't be done, it can and has, just ride the journey out a little longer, get some more time under your belt, see where your wt stabilizes,) Protein, water and exercise help themost tighten and tone things up.. I wish you the best whatever your decision! (off my get educated and informed soapbox now) and feel free to email me anytime if u have specific ? OK!) Take Care, Jamie Ellis RN, MS, NPP Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

I used B. Donald Sklansky. He's on Northern Blvd. in Great Neck (516-504-1800). He did my tummy tuck and I'm very happy with the results. I was still about 60 lbs. from goal, but since I had 3 very large hernias, I decided to do it anyway. Didn't want to have surgery twice. The hernias were covered by insurance, but not the tummy tuck. His price for the tummy tuck was $8,000, but he gave me a discount because he works with my surgeon alot, so it was $6,000. Check with your surgeon and see if he's worked with him before. Maybe you could get a discount too. Keep us posted. Joanne

Gia, I know of one plastic surgeon here on LI. His name is Martin Kessler and he is the head of Plastic Surgery at South Nassau Communities Hospital. I know him from years ago when he removed a mole on my back and removed a growth from my brow. He also just gave a lecture to my WLS support group. Slides and all. The bat wing pics were very interesting. The after pics were from a month out and even though the incisions can be seen, they looked pencil thin. Dr. Kesslers office is in Rockville Centre. Sandra

Gia, Hun I do not know of any but I just wanted to say hello and that I miss ya on the boards... ~hugs~ Hope you find a good Dr., Keep us posted. Debra P