Abdominoplasty & Panniculectomy

SO, I've lost around 90lbs...still want to lose 30-40lbs but was hoping somebody could get me started on the right track. Originally I thought, hey if I lose the weight I'll be happy enough!  And I am, I am...don't get me wrong...but...the hanging skin...really is hurting me. My belly button, which is almost always sealed shut from a skin flap on top of it...smells really aweful and gets read and sore INSIDE regardless of how often I clean it/powder it daily   :(  then, the area below my "apron" and above my pubic region...it rashes REALLY badly...gets really raw and makes it painful to wear pants or even walk  :(  I don't know what to do and my PCP isn't being much help. I think he wants me to lose all the weight BEFORE starting the surgical process but...I'm in pain and know how denials and appeals can go and think I should start now. He doesn't seem to be taking this seriously and I need to know what steps to take...I have UHC insurance currently and I'm at a total loss as to which surgery I should have (or could get approved) and how to go about getting it w/o having to pay sticker price! I will never be able to afford sticker price.  Also, I had two pregnancies which GREATLY weakened my abdominal muscles...worse than a lot of women because my stomach was GREATLY extended due to polyhydramnios (both pregnancies) I put on 52lbs during pregnancies and lost 40lbs following each delivery...so my stomach was extended by 40lbs EACH pregnancy!  That's w/o any weight gain/loss that's went on over time. I avoided R-n-Y surgery and lost the weight on my own...but I'm not sure how many more belly button infections I can withstand. Any advice? My stomach is making life more difficult than expected...I intend to get photos later for y'all...so you know I'm not exaggerating  :)

I don't have any answers about the abdomenoplasty you're going to need, but can suggest something that might help you be a little more comfortable in the meantime. I keep a stack of folded cotton hankies in my drawer and tuck one along the crease under my pannus when I get dressed each morning. It keeps the skin dry so it doesn't break down and get those awful smelly rashes. It makes a huge difference!

I don’t know anything about the surgeries, but with the level of discomfort that you’re experiencing I’m surprised that your doctor isn’t more sympathetic. I might try being the squeaky wheel. I would make an appointment to see him/her every single time I got an infection. I’d call the office and complain about the level of discomfort anytime I felt it. I’d ask for antibiotics and pain pills to help get me through the infections and discomfort. If that didn’t work I’d look for a new doctor. Good luck.

Kelly- thanks for the tip. When I towel dry I usually tuck the towel in those places to get good and dry...it never occured to me to have something there all the time. I do baby powder which lasts a few hours...and sometimes it doesn't reach in my belly button far enough  :(  which is what my doctor recommeded using

Dee- good point, he probably just doesn't think it's a big issue as I'm not a real complainer...when I was passing large and numerous gallstones it took me a month of putting up with the attacks to finally drive myself to the hospital. THEN because the doctors were taking too long dealing with me at the hospitsl...I drove home and rescheduled against their request. I just deal with a LOT of discomfort. That's how I've always been, if I'm able to move life continues. Thanks for the pointer!

did you post this question on the plastic surgery board? they would all be able to answer you better than we would, since they have all been there and are there currently, I am sorry you are in such discomfort, I have now lost 102 lb's and my biggest issue is the skin in my arms and legs, and I do not get rashes from them, just a lot of hanging..... I hope you can get this all remidied soon! best of luck to you! 

 Instead of powder, try cornstarch.  I find it more effective, and the relief seems to last longer.  

I must've missed that forum while browsing, so yeah, I'll post there when I get a chance. When my skin started to get loose it wasn't an issue. I had a lot on my upper arms and made jokes about taking flight. It was a non-issue, something laughable compared with being super morbidly obese...then I started loosening up everywhere...arms, thighs, stomach, breasts...everywhere...but the only real issue is where the skin flaps over other areas and holding in moisture. I have this issue mostly in my belly button and under my panni. I keep getting bacterial and yeast infections. They smell putrid, and hurt to high heavens and that's not even addressing the other issues. For instance, when I bend over, say in a dress or nightgown...or loose shirt...my stomach hangs in a manner comparable to the way a nursing dogs nipples/underside hangs...my midline is sort of firm, and then my stomach hangs on either side of it. I make smacking sounds when I move...tempted to fund the surgery myself it's that bad.

One thing I did which helped a lot with infections was to switch to wearing bikini underwear.  Prevents the skin on skin contact under the apron.

I used to have the infection problem. The way I fixed it was I would let myself air dry by laying on my bed under the fan after I towel dried. Then when I was all dry I would put deodorant under my stomach. I don't have to air dry anymore but I still use deodorant under my "arpon". Also, if my PCP was not helping me then I would find another one. They could at least maybe give you something to help the healing.

Yeah, the most my PCP did was tell me that I still need to lose more (duh) and that I could buy over the counter stuff...or try baby powder. Both of which I DO use...but there are several places (especially under apron and in belly button that completely suctions shut) that get very raw/infected very easily. Thank goodness it's winter...the colder/drier weather seems to help a great deal.

I honestly figured with as young as I am...my elastin would help a great deal in firming things up...but I've read articles that suggest otherwise. So I may be stuck finding solutions to my wet skin issues. I'm grateful, no doubt, to have lost so much weight and kept it off for a year now.

But likewise, being sore is no fun at all and that's not accounting for the smell  :(