Plastic Surgeons near Nashville

Can anyone recommend a plastic surgeon in or near Nashville? I would like to talk to one about a tummy tuck. I'm not near goal yet might have to do something about my belly soon. It is always cold in a few spots and is a darker color than the surrounding skin. I also have no feeling in a few spots. My husband will touch it and say how cold the skin is and I never even realized he had touched my belly. It's just kind of freaking me out. Thanks, -Maria

Hi Maria, you're out far enough to start looking into reconstructive surgery. Remember when they remove the excess skin you will also lose weight. I have an appointment with the VA Medical Center in Nashville on January 8, just one prior to my one year anniversary. I only lack 35 lbs to my goal, but once the excess flab comes off, I'll lose a few more pounds but to get back to 130, would make me look haggard or sick looking. I'm very comfortable at 165, I can wear size 14 in shorts or jeans as long as they have elastic, and a size 16 in tops, not women's sizes but lady sizes. So I would say if you have found one in the Nashville area, go for it. You may be surprised on how much more you lose when they take off the extra flab. You may never reach your goal and then too you may eventually lose it over time. How much have you lost to-date, and what is your weight now, and BMI? My BMI is 31 from 53. So I am already looking into surgeons to start removing the excess flab. I have an appointment at the VA Medical Center on Jan. 8th just one before my one year anniversary. Plus I have checked into one in Knoxville that accepts my medicade, but I first have to have a letter submitted to Medicare, once I receive the denial letter then my TnCare medicade will pay for the surgery. I wish you the best in finding a surgeon to help you out. Keep us informed in case their are others looking into one. Love Kathy

I may be 9 months out but I am nowhere near goal. I am at about the halfway point. I'm down about 165 lbs and have another 165 lbs to go. I am at 314 lbs down from my high weight of 479 on the day of surgery. My BMI has gone from 82 to 53. I would wait but the numbness, the discoloration and the cold issue kind of have me worried. The discoloration on my belly is similar to the discoloration on my ankle from when I had celulitus a while back. My belly was originally very red and hot to the touch and then faded into this brownish color. I think it may have been infected, but my doctor said there was nothing wrong and to not worry about it. She has since been given the boot. The right side is also kind of hard compared to the left. I also have not been losing much weight on the right side so I am becoming lopsided. I looked in the mirror earlier today and my belly is practicaly to mid-thigh. Exercise is nearly impossible with it as it flops around alot and with a lot of force sometimes. I am also having some back problems and I don't think they are going to get any better without removing my belly. I'm not really looking forward to surgery but I'm not looking forward to keeping this belly either. I only moved to Nashville about 1.5 years ago so I don't know much about the doctors in the area so I don't even know where to really start looking. Don't want to end up with some diploma mill doctor. Boy am I long winded tonight. -Maria

I would suggest you check out Joe Delozier. He came and spoke to our support group a couple of weeks ago and I was really impressed with him. He has a lot of experience with post WLS patients and our special issues. He also seemed to be very comfortable to talk with. We all had a great time with him and got some very helpful information. I've already let my hubby know that he is the one I want to do my reconstructive surgery when I get ready. I'm glad to hear you are doing so well. I'll bet you look totally different from when I first met you at the Saturday support group. Susan

Hi Susan, When is the next support group meeting? I always want to go but keep forgetting. Do you have any contact info for Joe Delozier. What hospital does he work out of? I'm finally beginning to really see a difference in how I look. In the pst week or two I've been told several times that I don't look like my driver's license picture. Guess I need to get a new one. Thanks, -Maria

I used Dr Orcut several years ago . I think he is still parcticing in Hashville he did a MAjor breast reduction on me and I LOVE the results .. I scare very badly and my scars are very light Laura

I no longer attend the Saturday support group. Those meetings have become seminars for people to travel to California to have Dr. Husted do their surgery & group follow up meetings for when Dr. Husted is in town one day each month or so. The support group I am a part of now meets the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm in the waiting room of the Metabolic Surgery Center. We usually have about 10 to 20 people each month. Dr. Delozier is at 209 23rd Avenue North, phone (615) 565-9000. You can also go to his website at www.drdelozier.com. I know that Dr. Lois Wagstrom also comes very highly recommended. She is also in the Baptist/Centennial hospital area. Her website is www.loiswagstrom.com. I hope you can get an answer for the problems you are having with the numbness, etc. I'll bet you and hubby are having fun watching the "new" you emerge. It only gets better! Susan

Dr. Fleming did my 2 plastics so far... a LBL (with gallbladder removal and hernia repair), then a few weeks later BL/BA and arms. Going to have inner thigh lift/outer thigh lipo in Dec. I have pics if you would like to see... e-mail me and I'll send you a link. He does amazing work. Whoever you go to, make sure they have loads of experience with people who have lost a lot of weight, it makes a difference.