Newbie here...a few initial questions...

I know I will have many more as I travel down this road, but I think I'm ready to get started on my research. I am 16 mos. post-op RNY and I'd ideally like to start plastics at my 2 year mark. I've lost 155 lbs. and am about 20 lbs. from goal.

My strategy I think is going to be to go to plastic surgeon's seminars. First because I think with other folks around they are bound to ask questions I'll forget or ask questions I didn't even know I had but secondly, I am not sure who pays for your plastics consult. If it is something your health insurance wouldn't cover, will they cover the initial consult or is it all out of pocket from the outset?

Also, does anyone have a link to a good resource on what all I should ask a surgeon (aside from "can you make my arms not look like batwings?")? A point in the right direction is MOST appreciated.

I look forward to learning more from all of you. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hey Nik...I don't have all your answers handy atm since I am laid up from my plastics!  I can post back later but I am sure someone will beat me.  I went to 6 consults, and had to pay $50 for each.  The surgeon I chose credited my consult fee towards my sugery fees...I am not sure if that is the norm.  I never went to the seminars, since I had 3 pages of questions I cut and pasted from here and other searches online.  They were taken aback when I came in!  But they respected it and answered them all graciously.

This is a great place for help...

Welcome Nik...... My surgery is in 2 weeks and I'm so excited.... I may add a few of Jodi's to my preop appointment next week....

Sorry Nik-- missed this!

Some doc do free consults, others charge a fee ($50) which they refund if you use them-- call and ask, or check websites. Insurance covers jack.

Arms-wise, insurance covers jack in general. I'm still appealing mine, and will keep at it, but even with great ins (bc bs), massive skin hang, hydradenitis, and 25 photos of weeping sores and rashes the arms were not covered.

Belly (panni) was "covered" ($3k) but muscle repair was not. 2 nights hospital stay were covered because of the hernia, but no further discounts. Basically, for abdominoplasty, arms, breasts and hernia repair I was quoted $18.5k and ended up paying about $15 k, and am still working on it.

Since your arms are a lot like mine, ask to see their book, and ask how aggressive they are willing to be. Most were too conservative for my liking. Mine said, "I'll make 'em tight as hell, as long as you understand it'll be uncomfortable a while and your lower arms may seem unbalanced" and I said, "Have AT it, kemosabe!" And thus far, the results are pretty cool-- haven't had to deal with the scars yet though-- and sometimes I keloid like a sistah. I just really wanted the mass off me-- it was like a giant flappity tumor.

I can highly recommend my guy-- he's in VA beach, about 2 hrs from you. Time it for a holiday break and I could help you out.