Plastic....

Hey everyone,
Ok so my anniversary is next Tuesday, and I see my surgeon a week after that. I do have a couple of questions. I have alot of excess skin. I did everything I was supposed, I stick to my diet, drink plenty of water and I am at the gym 4-5 times a week, but there was just too much skin. Has anyone had any type of plastic surgery to get rid of the skin. My insurance will cover it, if it is causing rashes, or skin irriatation. My main question is how painful is it and how long is the recovery. I would need it on my underarms, thighs and stomach. Any thoughts??
Thanks everyone

Welcome to the club- we all get it...it's just a matter of gene's, age, and other such factors that determine how much sagging you'll get!

Usually insurance doesn't cover it, as the jerks still call it cosmetic (whatever!) but I know lots of WLS patients self-pay to get it done.

It's major surgery, but I've heard that the pain is manageable.

As for recovery, well that depends on what you get done, but I think at least 6 weeks of inactivity is normal for major body plastics.

Now all this info is just from friends, co-workers, support group meetings and such so it's purely observational- as I can't afford to get any done at the moment...someday...

I had a panniculectomy done ...that was the only thing my insurance would cover. It was very painful. My surgeon compared it to a c-section but I never had a c-section so that wasn't helpful LOL!!!!!!!!! It was hard to bend over, get dressed, etc ...I needed help getting out of the shower. But once I felt better I realized it was worth it. If you have someone to help you I would say do it.

I looked at getting one after my surgery, but my problems weren't bad enough for my insurance to cover it.  And I've really just learned to live with it.  It's a much cheaper procedure here in the Philippines, but, having just gone through surgery on both of my knees, I'm going to wait a while.

Cheers,

Chris

thanks everyone for your replies. I have looked into my insurance policy, and it will cover excess skin removal if deemed medically necessary (causing rashes, skin irritation ect) and not strictly cosmetic.

I read that it is comparable to a C-section, but like you Brooke I have never had one of those so not particularly helpful. If I have it I would probably stay with my parents for a little bit then stay at my girlfriends as her house has no stairs and mine does. If I get my thigh lift I assume stairs will be a problem. But I will take the excess skin over the excess weight any day of the week!!!
thanks again everyone

I'll let you know in a few weeks.  Getting abdominoplasty and boobs done in Rochester.  Insurance is covering abdominplasty/panniculectomy/anesthesia/hospital stay/hernia repair but not boobs.