Plastic surgery after DS

I saw my bariatric surgeon last week for my 6-mo. follow-up.  My weight loss has slowed considerably - only lost 2 lbs. in the past 3 mo. for a total of 41 lbs. lost since surgery!!  He told me that I should go ahead & start researching abdominoplasty with the expectation of having it done in about 6 mos.  Can anyone recommend a plastic surgeon in Kansas?  The ones I'm considering at this point are Potter, Conrad, Hendrick, or Rieger - they're in the phone book!!

And what about paying for the surgery?  I did a little research on the internet, and it looks like the surgery (not including the hospital bill) will cost anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 - and I already know my insurance will not cover any cosmetic surgery.  How have others paid for the cost of plastic surgery after bariatric surgery?

I'm a little puzzled by this post.  Even if you carried ALL of your weight in your belly, you've only lost 41 lbs and your weight loss has slowed down (why that is, is a different issue).  My question is, why would you be planning abdominoplasty for a ~50 lb weight loss?  Do you have an unusual situation with your pannus that such a relatively modest weight loss has given you a situation that makes it necessary to have surgery before you have lost all or at least a lot more of your weight?

Looking in a phone book for a PS is highly inadvisable.  You should be getting referrals to PSs who specialize in post-bariatric patients.

How do others pay?  They save money, put it on their credit cards or take loans.  There are no secret ways to get PS covered.

I'm not actually PLANNING at this point, I am simply RESEARCHING the issue, as Dr. Anthone suggested I should do.  I'm hoping to lose at least another 40 lbs. or so - which is what Dr. Anthone told me I can reasonably expect - and not planning to have an abdominoplasty until I'm at least a year out from my DS.  But yes, my pannus was huge BEFORE I had the DS, and it has continued to get bigger since my surgery. 

As far as looking for a PS, yes, I did look in the phone book, however one reason I posted in the first place was to get the names of PSs who specialize in post-bariatric patients.  I would like to find a PS in Kansas IF POSSIBLE.

But your rather snotty, looking-down-your-nose response makes me wish I hadn't bothered to post the question at all.  I expect to get honest feedback from others on this site, not necessarily touchy-feely sympathy, etc. but at least courteous responses from those who CHOOSE to reply, and I really don't appreciate being made to feel like the questions I am asking are dumb or in some way "beneath" the consideration of those more knowledgeable about the procedure.     

Uh, when I read your post I had the exact same comments as Diana running around my head. I think she asked a lot of good relevent questions to help us understand where you are coming from. I guess you chose to read it as "snotty" rather then helpful.

I don't kwow any PS in your area but there are many good ones that work son post-bariatric patients in the US and abroad that people on the forums have used.

Best of luck to you.

That's funny - Heather read & understood my post clearly and replied in a friendly and helpful way (BTW, thank you for your reply, Heather), and at least one person agrees with me that Diana's response was out of line.  Diana's questions were not relevant, they were nosy & confrontational as far as I'm concerned.  I clearly stated in my post that MY SURGEON RECOMMENDED THAT I RESEARCH THE ABDOMINOPLASTY WITH THE IDEA IN MIND OF HAVING IT DONE IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS.  I asked if anyone could recommend a PS in Kansas, and asked for ideas re: paying for PS.  If Diana thought my questions were somehow dumb or beneath her, she could have kept her opinions to herself rather than respond to my post.  

You just have to ignore (block) that one honey. 

Life on OH is SO much more peaceful without the toxins - and sadly, there are some! 

Sounds like your surgeon wants you to start comparing and researching plastic surgeons to find one that works with you, your insurance, finance company and expectations and to make a good choice of who to go with six months from now so starting to look now would be good. I have heard good things about Dr. Gary Hall in Leawood, Kansas. (he accepts bc/bs) Another thing I have learned after reasearching and having two rounds of reconstructive surgeries is that most insurance companies do in fact cover certain reconstructive surgeries such as removal of a hanging pannus that hangs below the pubis, breast reduction that removes excess hanging skin, and sometimes other places on the body that cause damage such as sores, reoccuring rashes, redness and tearing of the skin. The difficulty comes in finding a surgeon in your insurance network that will accept the amount insurance offers to pay for these procedures and the not the cost of their "added costs and fees". If you have a decent average credit score, mymedicalloan.com offers reasonable interests rates and quick approvals. Also, since you are hoping to lose more weight or be stable in your weight loss over the next six months, start putting Xtra funds in a savings account for surgery now. Good luck!!

It cost exactly $4000 for my significant breast augmentation (another $1200 for a lift which I did not have) and Blue Shield paid for my full pannilulectomy three days ago including all the surgeon, and hospital fees plus overnight at my local hospital. Both surgeries have gone great and I am thrilled with both results thus far.

I agree that the response was not appropriate and would have felt the same way If I receive a response like that, call the response what ever you want but there are better ways of making a point without making you feel like an idiot.

Well, I totally understand why you might need a TT with only a 40+lb weight loss. After my first son, at 19, I  needed one and that never changed with or without the extra weight I'd gain and/or lose over the years. I had a really flabby tummy, no two ways about it. But it took me 32 years to actually do something....Don't wait that long, lol...I wish I'd done it way back when...but it's done now and I love the new tummy!!! I did only lose between 80-90 lbs, so I know where you're coming from....Start that research, work on doing the best you can with you weight loss and go for it... Best of luck...:)