185 lbs loss, thinking Dr. LoMonoco. Few questions?

I have lost 185 lbs and am at goal.  I am almost 30 lbs overweight and still losing at a very slow pace but dont anticipate losing much more.  I easily have 20 lbs of lose skin, the worst is my tummy.  I live in Houston so I am trying to get an appointment with Dr. LoMonoco (its been a challenge but I hear it is worth it!) for a consult for a lower body lift and arm lift.  I have a few questions I really hope could be answered here.  :)

I am wondering if people who have lost as much as I have tend to have good results?  I know it varies person to person.  But I am very worried I will get there and he will say that someone who has lost alot like me wont get good results and it will be more of a chop (to get the extra skin out of the way) situation.  I feel like my before is way worse then any I see on the before and afters on doctors websites.

I also am wondering if anyone did a LBL and got their arms done at the same time?  Pros and cons?

I know recovery varies alot too, but how long did it take to feel "normal" after a LBL? 

I work out alot, 5 + days a week (2 of those with a trainer).  We are doing overall conditioning and cardio training, but is there something specific I should focus in the gym on to get my body ready?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate any advice.  I feel so strong and great, but I spend so much time trying to cover up my loose skin.  And it makes me feel so big still, like I havent come this far.  I think I need to really make getting it taken care of a priority so I can move on to my greater fitness and a better sense of who I am...ya know?

I haven't lost t hat amount of skin personally so I can't answer from experience but I can tell you that Dr. Lo is HIGHLY experienced with WLS patients and I have never heard of anyone having a negative experience!
I personally DID work out 5 days a week and 1 day with  trainer along with training for 5K prior to surgery - so I do think I was in the tip top shape I could have been - now it's just hard (Im 2wks out) to sit on my butt and NOT go to the gym!
I too hated that I felt so fat even though I wasn't! While training for my 5k all I could think of was the skin and how it jiggled and whether people could see it or stare at it!
Im not feeling 100% normal yet. Pain is still on and off - usually worst right before bed and right when I get up but during the day fairly manageable. Im able to stand up much straighter now bu Im still fairly swollen.
I definatly think that at the very least you should consult with him! It may take a little time to get in but I do think you will be so pleased in the end that it will not matter to you!:)
BTW - Just look at my pics if you want an example of his work. My befores are in a seperate folder on the same site I posted on my profile - the BEFORE pics and you can see how my skin is. Im going to try and get my Dr. Lo befores to post too!

Yeah, 6 weeks off they gym...and then rehabing to get back into shape.  That is gonnabe hard!  But I feel super limited because I am so self conscious when it comes to working out in the first place.  So in the long run, it should work out.

I asked to friend you so I can see your pics :)  How many pounds did he take off?

Missy - it's good to see you on plastics board!! We've already discussed in length how much I adore Dr. Lo...but in direct answer to some of your questions, Dr. Lo would never just "chop you" and say that's as good as you'll get. He's a perfectionist and he takes great pride in the work he does. I finally felt normal by my second week. I only took 2 weeks off of work, and was back at work after that...and in HEELS! Now...as for the working out..that part SUCKS BAD. I worked out 6 days a week before surgery. I run sprints, I weight lifted and did pilates. Now I looked like 10 lbs of sausage in a 5 lb bag!! They make you wear tight clothes so they can make sure you are using the right muscles...and OMG was it EMBERASSING!! Now I can't wait until I can go back! I'll show all those women...well I'll show them my flabby arms...but at least my TUMMY is FLAT!! BUT..I'm 10 weeks out and still only walking and arm and leg weight lifting...and it makes me swell up like CRAZY!! So I have to cut back and see if it helps the swelling..and that is killing me..I feel so LAZY!! So be prepared for that mentally...it's a challenge. But I say GO FOR IT!! You will NOT be dissappointed!! We girls who've lost a full overweight woman have the skin of that overweight woman still hanging on us!! Dr. Lo is a miracle worker IMHO!!

We really have to get together for coffee or something!  :)

I have not lost as much as you have... but I did lose 154lbs and all I can say is that you will be amazed with your results!!  I had my LBL in December and I stil can't believe that this is me.... Best of luck with your surgery!

Aloha-

I lost in that neighborhood ( 191 lbs total) and am THRILLED with my circumferential lower body lift results. My tummy is flat ( I have NEVER had a flat tummy!!!!!) and I lost the wrinkles on my upper outer thighs. If I am disappointed anywhere, it's that I still have stretch marks on my abdomen (duh, I thought they'd be gone with the excess skin- but I had stretch marks above where my incisions were) and that I still have some loose front abdominal skin ( looks wrinkled around my belly button) when I bend over- you can't really see it when I stand up straight. This could probably have been resolved with a vertical incision, but I didn't want that, and quite honestly, I feel I look very age appropriate with this 2 pregnancy, 50 year old tummy.


My PS did not weigh the skin - he said it was all skin and no fat as I had lost/worked out  down to 17.4% body fat - but I am about 4 lbs lighter 10 weeks out so I have to assume the skin was somewhere in the 3-5 lb range. I had 7 drains in at first - one in each breast ( I had a breast lift and augmentation at the same time), 2 from my back draining to the front, and 3 in the front---and did not have to wear compression garments. All swelling resolved within 3-4 weeks post op, and I am thrilled to say I was back doing yoga and stretching  12 days post op ( the day they pulled the last drain) and cardio/lifting weights  3 weeks post op (all with my surgeon's blessing, as long as I ramped it up over a 2 week period).  I never swelled after working out, even now that I am boxing again 10 weeks out. So while I didn't love the drains initially, maybe in retrospect I am glad there were so many early on as I have not experienced the swelling I see others report on.

My best exercise for readiness was definitely SQUATS! As many as you can ahead of time- you need the strength in your legs and buttocks to help stand up from the toilet, get up out of bed, get out of the car, etc- I was walking upright within 48 hours of surgery and never had issues with getting up out of bed, and I attribute all that to the hundreds of squats done weekly in either classes or on my own. Building alot of muscle pre op also gives you some body stores upon which to draw should you not get enough protein in nutritionally.

The other reason I healed so quickly was definitely PROTEIN- I upped my protein intake to 125 g/day about 3 weeks prior to surgery, and still ensure I get that much in- I will for at least 6 months post op. I never have an appetite ( thank you, VSG!) but I drink shakes the days I don't feel like eating enough, and I am diligent about getting all my protein in. You simply cannot heal without it, so make it your mission.

Personally, while the scar from the LBL is impressively long ( goes around you 360`), it is SO much more appealing to me than the extra skin was. I am a size 4-6 now down below, and prior to plastics I was an 8-10  in pants or a skirt simply because of the extra skin. I did take measurements the night before surgery so I'd know when the swelling was truly gone post op- my hips went from a 38 to a 36 immediately.

I did not have my arms done, I am very happy with the results from weight training and my skin elasticity....but I did the breasts at the same time and they were a non entity painwise. I think a  brachioplasty would be more painful than a BL/BA....but  my PS will do both those procedures if you are in good enough shape. The only caution someone might have about doing surgery now with 30 lbs still to lose is that some of that excess weight can pull down on your lower body lift incision, putting extra tension on it, which could delay healing somewhat. Also, I was advised to wait 6-9 months post goal ( or hitting a stable weight) as your skin elasticity continues to exhibit "shrinkage" - and doing the procedure too early before giving your skin a maximal chance to snap back can result in your needing to do a revision later. Your PS would know best, but all 3 that I consulted with recommended being at a stable weight 6-9 months prior to plastics. One said he wouldn't do it til the patient's BMI was under 30 due to increased tension on the lower body lift incision.

Be well, a hearty congratulations to you for doing so well!!!!! XOXOLori

Thanksso much.  As always, you are a total inspiration!

I think I am on a good track.  And I think surgery is still months away, I cant seem to get an appointment made cause of the office is super busy, I guess.  I imagine it will be a long time before I get in, let alone get a surgery scheduled.  

Andmy trainer focuses on my lower body an awful lot, so hopfully all those stupid squats and lunges will be worth it post op:)

I have heard alot people should be at "normal" weight to have PS (BMI of 25 or less).  But I really believe I am very close to normal weight for me.  I am pretty happy at my size, minus the extra skin.  I am smaller then I have been since 5th grade...seriously.  Perhaps I will lose more weight, but I am not counting on it.

Go Missy!  PM me your personal email address and I'll send you some befores and afters that are too graphic to post....XOXOLori