Dr. Siamak Agha: the good, the bad and the ugly?

Jillian (Kennedy12 -- 9 year post-op Hares DSer) is going out to Cali for her first round in early September.  I'll bet you can get the 411 from her!

I've already contacted her -- thanks!

This is not a post regarding this surgeon but rather on how one goes about selecting a good one.

Go on lots of consults.  At the consults, look at the surgeon's book but more importantly, get a first hand look at his work.  Normally, women who work for plastic surgeons have had lots of work done and aren't shy about showing off their work.  I was able to see work first hand and it helped me in my decisions.  I really don't trust photos as much as my own eyes.

Second, don't limit yourself to someone who specializes in bariactric patients.  That's not to say these surgeons are second rate but the point is that there are excellent surgeons who have full practices.  I'll hold my work up to anyone's and my guy isn't a bariactric specialist.  I consulted with six, three of which were bariactric specialists and I decided on one that wasn't - and it was the correct decision for me.  A surgeon who is very busy is probably a good sign. 

Finally, it's not a race.  I would space out your work over a much longer period of time.  Multiple major surgeries are very overwhelming over a short period of time.  I had my LBL in Sept 07, my Arms/Breasts in Jan 08, my facelift in Oct 08 and I'll have my final lipo (thighs) in Oct 09.    I felt that having my arms done less than four months after my LBL was difficult.  Left to do it over again, I would have spaced it out a little longer.

And finally,  achieving a normal BMI prior to any body contouring work will be very beneficial for healing and better results. 

Good luck in your search. 

ETA: Thanks for taking the time to respond with your thoughtful remarks!

I do just want to get 'er done.  LBL and face close together works for me in terms of one recovery and of course depends on how well I do after the LBL.  Arms and boobs "shouldn't" be as bad as the LBL, and of course I will need to be pretty much recovered from the LBL first.

As for my weight, well, I don't have a normal BMI as a goal, at age 56.  I'll be happy if I end up at 159 or so after the works are done.  I'm a big-boned, curvy woman and I intend to stay that way.

I just want to chime in that the arms are a lot worse than you might think.....you may want to chat with some of us who have had them done already.

Best wishes on your surgery and recovery.

Diana! Congrats!!  Keep on fighting! 

Guess what? I got my LBL approved! Thank you for all your advice and encouragement.

I met Dr. Agha at an OH event and had a consult with him. As far as his technique I would have been totally ok having him do a procedure on me, I got the impression that his surgical skills were very good and I do know of at least one another OH member on the California board that choose to go with him.

As far as his bedside manner, I was not comforatable. I had lots of questions and he was insistent on finishing his complete presentation before he would address my concerns. To me, (this was just my perception) it felt somewhat arrogant and condescending. I was not comfortable with his personality.

Ultimately I decided to got with Dr Kent in the city of Orange.

Good luck to you, please keep us updated on your progress! 

Thank you for your observations.  I think it is probably a good thing for doctors to hear why their potential patients did not become customers after meeting them.

While I usually don't have trouble insisting on being heard (which is probably an understatement), I would find what you experience off-putting as well.  So far, this has not been my experience with Dr. Agha, but I have only corresponded via email (and using that medium, you ALWAYS get to say your piece without interruption!).

Congratulations on your scheduled plastics!

My only remark at this point is, recovery does seem to be related to two things that are somewhat beyond our control:

1) age (younger tends to heal faster); and
2) excess body fat (fat tissues tends to swell more than other).

THAT said, you might consider giving yourself a little more leeway in scheduling surgeries subsequent to the LBL.  Taking care of yourself (and even being taken care of) are huge and potentially painful and tiring undertakings post-op LBL, especially if you aren't healing as fast as a teenager, and happen to wander into Swell Hell.

Good luck!  And welcome to a very exciting adventure!

I have heard only good things about Dr. Agha.  In fact, I suspect that's who my doctor is referring patients to while he's out of the country (though I'm not sure).

Hmm, I am not skinny, and I'm OLD.  Wonderful.

I really really want the LBL and facelist ASAP.  And to combine the recoveries.  I can wait a bit longer if necessary for the arms and boobs.  But reality may bite me in my sculpted ass, and I'm prepared to deal with that.  Sorta.

I didn't share your surgeon, but do share your approach-- I'm going after BC BS retroactively to get more of my reconstruction covered. Even with copious notes, photos, letters from docs/surgeons/dermatologists and a heavily documented and nasty case of intertrigo/hydradenitis, I was still only covered for $3k of my $18k worth of body plastics...plus a "free" two night hospital (an $800 "value!") stay because I had a hernia.

I had the eyes and face done 6 months before the abdominoplasty/breast lift/brachioplasty, and had them done without benefit of anesthesia, and all I can say is hoo doggies that crap smarts a while.  So while I too am a big fan of getting it the hell over with, if you could loosen up a smidge between your facial and LBL work I think you'd be in a LOT less misery.

I found the breasts to be no big deal at all, but will echo what Moosie said-- the arms can be very painful.

I'm on the docket now to get my backside done...if/when I ever re-coup some cash from BC BS...and fat transplants into my face. Hard to beat getting your ass in your face, right?

Best of luck. Fight the good fight.