when do you decide it's time for plastic surgery? Mary MWY?

I noticed that Mary mentioned she had plastic surgery but she is still on a diet.

It made me wonder when do you decide to have plastic surgery? I'm hoping Mary that you will respond, I'm curious about the whole procedure. Do you mind sharing?

Thanks, Skylar

Skylar:
I too have had massive amounts of plastic surgery.  The way I eat now (and hope, for the rest of my life) would be considered a diet to many people.  Having my abdominal muscles tightened definitely restrics how much I can eat and frankly I'd rather be thin than eat with abandon.
Typically, plastic surgeons prefer that your weight is stable for at least 6 months; mine was stable for 18 months.  I've lost 30 pounds since having plastic surgery - not intentionally but because I had a major complication that made me very ill.  Many people freak out because they think that losing weight after plastic surgery will "undo" the results but my results are still very tight.
I'm sure Mary will chime in soon.
Kim

Hey Skylar, do I mind sharing?  Be careful what you ask for girlee cuz me and Kimmie and Babs can talk reconstructive plastic surgery till the cows come home!   I always say that we came from the trashy side of OH, the Plastic Surgery Board.   

With my doctor, the prerequisite for plastics was at least a hundred pound weight loss and six months at a stable weight.  I wasn't at my goal weight when I had my plastics, but with the PCOS I couldn't lose another pound to save my life and my big ol boobs were starting to curve the top of my spine, so I decided it was time to get them taken care of...the best decision I've ever made!  At the time I got started I wore a size 18 top and a size 16 bottom.  After the magic performed by my brilliant surgeon, and a ton of working out, I wear a size 14 top (due to the store bought boobs) and a size 12 bottom.  I'm not tiny, but I'm a size smoothe so that makes me happy as a pig in ****!  By the way, I hate that word but it's Babs fault that it is now one of my favorite expressions. 

As far as me being on a diet after my surgery...my body has a tendency to gain weight fast and if I don't stay on top of it, I'd be ruining all of doc's fine work and probably on my way to being diabetic.  My doctor is very emphatic about diet and exercise after plastics to maintain his results.  Notice I said 'his' results cuz mine now feels like my new body is his creation and I'm in charge of maintaining it!  But since he cut off 25 pounds, I do what the man tells me.

Which part of your body are you considering having done?  I had a breast reduction and then a lower body lift.  I've had a mini brache (upper arms), thigh lift (inner thighs), axilla repair (sideboobs and back fat and skin), mons lift ( Miss Kitty is very happy, thank you very much!), and breast augmentation with spiral flaps (fake boobs).  Who knew I would have T & A at my age? 

Let me know if you have any more questions,

Mary    

 

this is where your shift in perspective needs to happen. its not a "diet" - it really has to be a lifestyle change. so mary, me, and anyone else who expects to MAINTAIN massive weight loss is never going to be able to eat like they did before weight loss. i know i will ALWAYS have to be conscious of what i eat, and this has nothing to do with plastic surgery - but i would never say i'm on a diet. i wouldnt' even say i was on a diet while i was losing weight.

as for the actually plastic surgery question - i would agree with the others and say that you need to be stable for at LEAST 6 months to a year. the longer the better. not necessarily at a "normal" BMI, but where you would be happy to stay. i got to a place where my body just didn't want to lose anymore. i decided i was done and started having the plastic surgeries.

I've had everything done, plastics-wise.  I was on a diet when I started plastics, am on one now  and  will be on one for the rest of my life.  I weighed 152 when I started plastics and weigh 138 today.  Don't be under the mistaken impression that once you make target weight you can revert back to your old eating habits.  Sorry to break the bad news to you - it doesn't work that way - even after WLS - you have to continue the diet forever.

Wow, thanks for all your replies. I just wonder how long I will be able to survive with bat wings and a huge pannus hanging down - it will seem like forever waiting to lose all the weight and then wait until my weight is stable.

How did you manage in the mean time with all that hanging skin? I guess I will have to invest in some Spanx type products in the near future?

Skylar

Skylar, all of these answers are based on after you have lost your weight and need "reconstructive" plastic surgery.  There is an "in the meantime" fix.  There is a procedure called a panniculectomy to cut off your pannus so that you will have better mobility and get rid of skin and rash issues.  It's kinda like a tummy tuck only they don't tighten your stomach muscles, or lift the mons.  It is usually completely paid for by insurance if you meet your companies prerequisites.  The results are usually not as good as a tummy tuck, but in the hands of a surgeon who specializes in patients who have weight issues, I have seen some pretty good results. 

Of course, you could have the same thing done with your arms, only for asthestics you would probably want to have them redone after your weight loss. 

Just a thought,

Mary