Plastic Surgery?

Okay, it is time I seek the wisdom of the TMB on this. When is a good time to look into having plastic done. I was believeing that I need to wait until I reach my goal weight. However, I believe that there may already be enough loose belly skin to bring to that goal if I have it removed. I just to do not want to have plastics too soon. I want to try minimize anymore surgeries to the best of my abilities. I am already looking into surgeon on my insurance that have bariatric patient experience. One doctor say he normally does the procedure in stages. is it better to do it in stages or all at once? I am currently at 205.6 lbs I would like to be at my ideal weight of about 160 lbs, which is almost the middle for my height. I think I can be at this before the end of the year with some extra effort on my part. Just would liek the wisdom everyone can bring to this topic as I do not want to do it too soon and I also want to find the best surgeon for the job. I am in the Austin area so anybody in my area has recommendation for surgeon please speak up.

 Ok.....I was told that you need to have quit losing weight and have it stable for 6 months prior to PS.   That is what I did.    You don't want to have PS done when you are still losing weight.....you will then be left with loose hanging skin...which is why you had or want PS to begin with is to have that skin tight.    Good luck to you....you have done a fantastic job of losing the weight.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Thank you so much Viv, As I noticed have a decent amount of loose skin on my abdomen, which is my area of focus as I do a lot of lifting at work do not believe I need the under arm area. I know for men the loose skin areas are going to be slightly different then on women. I figured that is what you would say weightloss stop. I was thinking I may need to wait about 2 years but wanted people opinion on the matter that have already done and if they felt they may have done it too soon. A major concern of my wife and nutritionist is that we can stop the weightloss once we get at the goal make. I still have some trouble with eating certain foods, but making improvements here and there. I had my surgeon rest assure my wife they last time I saw him that the weightloss will tamper off. Like I said right now I feel is the time I want to look at researching surgeons when I am ready I can go in and get the best advice for the procedure tailored to my body. Thank you, Viv once again for responding so quick to my inquiry.

 Another word of advice to you about PS.   When you find a surgeon....ask if you can contact some of his former patients ( like over a year post op Plastics ).   I would want to see if they are STILL happy with the results that they got.   I know I was pleased with my results immediately after my surgery....but now....I am NOT happy once everything settled),    And things usually settle after the 12 to 18 month time after your surgery.    That is what you are left looking like.   I know for my surgeon...he was WAY too conservative with skin removal.   I can grab skin everywhere and wear shapewear all the time and hate it.   It has messed with my self esteem.    It is very low most of the time.   He kept telling me to look at my before photos and how much BETTER I look.   Yeah....I DO look better but he didn't do the cut I wanted and needed thus I am left with still way too much skin around my mid-section and I was self pay to the tune of $13,000.   Oh well.....I will stop it now or I will get all depressed.   Just do lots of research and make sure that the doctor you choose does good work with WLS patients.     DO go ahead and research your doctors now and go and talk with them if they do free consults.   Also go to the Plastic Surgery Message board and talk with the people on there and their experiences.   I did that also and was very well informed on what surgery I wanted ( and didn't get ).    Good luck to you !!!


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I am not too self conscience on my looks  but I consider this a investment in my overall well being. I know I did not like the job the plastic surgeon who did my wifes breast reduction. I felt he remove to much material and did not do enough to minimize scarring. I know you have mentioned it before on her about your own experience that is why I was hoping to her from you on my question. That way I can several people views and know what kind of questions to arm myself so that I get the final result I want. So, I can be happy with my complete new look both weight wise and body. Thank you once again Viv. I will do as you say fro sure.

 So glad I could give you some advice that you want to take.   I just know that PS is so very expensive and you should be happy with your results.    Everyone may not have self esteem issues about their body image but that is how it effects me.   Not a good thing IMHO !!!   Good luck to you and your surgeon research.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I waited for a couple years before doing my PS, but, like others have said, you definitely need to wait AT LEAST six months from when you level off before having it done.  Also, on your wife's scar, remember, too, everyone scars differently.  I'm not defending the surgeon by any means, but know a doc can do everything possible to minimize the scar but I swear, that sucker has a mind of its own and will look however it wants to afterwards!

You can also pop over to the plastic surgery board here on OH as you might get some information over there, too.

Good luck whenever you decide to have anything done.

Thanks, for the response. Yes, I do know everyone scars differently as for me I have many scars another one does not bother me at all. I just want to find a surgeon who has good experience with weight loss patients. I am currently thinking  it is going to be about 2 years before I am ready for plastics but I figure I would get others input and advice on the matter and I figure it does not hurt to start researching surgeons. Thank you once again for the input and adivce it helps a lot.

The decision to have PS done in stages also depends on how much weight you've lost.  I had my first round of plastics (a panniculectomy) done after I had lost around 230 lbs, but still needed to lose around 80-90lbs.  At that time the hanging skin was causing back problems and needed to be addressed before I could continue on my journey.

Many doctors will recommend that you be at a stable weight for 6 months prior to having plastics done.

Definitely go in and meet with several surgeons.  Find out what they recommend and why, what if anything your insurance will cover and if they will file for you, and what types of facilities they work out of (clinic or hospital). 

Debbi

Thank you replying, like I said i believe am still a decent time out from having it done. But wanted opinions and maybe start looking for experienced surgeons in the Austin area. I know one surgeons office we spoke to likes to do it in stages and that is fine with me. I just do not what a quick hack job only to find out I did too soon and did not get the areas addressed such away that I can live with. The insurance issue is the biggest thing finding surgeons office that has the experience deal with the insurance company. I want to know how much I need to start saving up for the procedure.  I personally do not think I need a lot done but again I need to reach my goal and stay on goal like you said for a little while. Currently, I looking at ones that work out of the major hospitals and not the surgical suites such like some of the ones do in the DFW area. I know somewhere I read before that you should wait at least 2 years after weight loss surgery, but I was thinking  the article was basing that on a rough average it takes a individual to reach there goal weight and maintain it. Thank you, once again. I forgot to mentioned to you a while back when you announce d your pregnancy on the board. Good luck with your future little addition to your family and take reall good care of yourself and the little one especially since you have so much to deal with weightloss surgery issue and making sure the little one get's everything needed to grow nice and healthy. Just remeber everyone on the board here is here to support the you on your good days and bad days.