help anyone??

Hi everyone...I am Amanda 22 years old and 16months out of gastric bypass...I have lost 185lbs my highest was 394. I had my first consult with a plastic surgeon that went pretty rotten I think..when I called and made an appointment they told me that it was 120.00 and if I got surgery it would go to that I asked about insurance coverage and they said if the surgeon saw it was medically necessary that I would only have to pay my co-pay. I have a panni that hangs around 6 inches..I wasnt worried my PCP had advised me into looking into plastic surgery cause of you all know..rashes I have been documenting..back problems etc....I got to the appointment was charged 120.00 when I asked about how I was told I could mostly likely only pay the co-pay the lady told me she never heard and that no one that she knows of has ever paid a co-pay..and she was snobby and I got sad...and then I asked the surgeon about insurance..and he just doesn't support it whats so ever..said that its cosmetic and he wasn't going to lie and make it seem like it wasnt for anything but cosmetic..that having this thing (panni) is more of an inconvenience then anything. He told me an estimate.. didn't even answer my questions or acknowledge everything that I was looking to talk about and sent me on my way. I am doing this search blindly..and I just don't know where to go from now. I really really want to find a surgeon but how do I find one that supports pushing things through insurance? I was thinking about calling my bariatric office tomorrow and see if they know of any surgeons possibly? Would any one be willing to help me? I live in the Rochester, I would like a good surgeon around here, but would be willing to travel as well...I am looking for people who have had good experiences. I don't really know what I am doing..maybe I am not asking the right questions? I really don't want 120.00 dollars to get wasted again....that was one thing that made me the most upset is having to spend that and for nothing...thank you anyone!

Um....Come to Houston and see Dr. Lo....He will still tell you like it is - but he's fantastic and compassionate. The guy you just consulted with is not good enough to work on YOUR body. That's the way I see it - tell him he's fired.

You need not only a good surgeon - but a surgeon who is into a little hand holding. Because unlike some of our surgeries (RNY) you will need more hand holding through this. I have never been the type to harass my docs but I am always calling and asking questions and Dr. Lo and his entire staff are quick to answer FULLY and he even calls personally (or gives you HIS cell phone number to call him directly).

If flying to H-town isn't pheasable for you....welll....best I can say is just read reviews, there are lots of ladies with AWESOME experiences here.
I personally think (and keep in mind - this is with NO experience whatsoever with using insurance for plastics) that 6inch panni with that amount of WLS would be a shoe-in for coverage. FIGHT FOR YOUR COVERAGE GIRL! 

And always remember - you are hiring your surgeon - if the surgeons you visit don't meet your expectations on consult - it's doubtful they will in OR.

I didnt put this in my post but Ill tell you a comment he made that really really really ******g hurt my feelings and that was " I know it must be hard because of all the work you have done and still having to look 300lbs when you are not" I really knew close from when I stepped in that place I wasn't going to use it...it said he did weight loss plastic surgery and what I saw looked good, but now its on to the next one I guess...I wish I could go to Houston your surgeon sounds great.

Wow that was rotten.... Ask around some PS do not charge for a 1st time consult.     Let others know this guys name.   no one needs to pay for someone who does not get WLS.

If you can go to Stonybrook Long Island, NY I can highly recommend a surgeon who I know will work with insurance.  PM me if you are interested.

That totally sucks that a surgeon would say such an awful thing to you, Amanda!   I would have been horrified and hurt also.   My PS at my pre-op totally offended me too, he grabbed my stomach harshly and said, "Well if we do the lipoabdominoplasty it will get rid of all this fat that is still here"  (I have lost over 40lbs and had 2 pregnancies that stretched out my stomach beyond belief) so alot of my stomach is saggy skin.   After fighting to lose weight for 3 years, it hurt my feelings that he just basically called me fat.  I am hypothyroid and on medication for blood pressure so it is VERY hard to lose weight but dammit I did it.   He also called made it sound like I was old too.   Good thing I wasn't on a blind date with him!   I would have stomped on his foot with a ver high heel.   I guess some plastic surgeons are just so arrogant or something and forget that we are real people with real stories behind our reasons for plastic surgery, most of those stories involving lots of insecurities.   Oh, well, we will both look fabulous anyway!  :)  Good luck finding a nicer doctor!

Hi Amanda,
First let me say congrats on your amazing weight loss! You should be so proud of yourself! Don't let one jackass's comment diminish what you have accomplished. Some people just should not be in the medical profession, especially if you are dealing with issues of image. He should especially not but working with post weight loss patients if he lacks sensitivity and understanding. I totally agree with Emerging Beauty, he doesn't deserve to work on your body. Your surgeon is someone you hire. He works for you. You are his income. Remember that. They are people, not gods. If they don't know that about themselves, keep looking until you find a surgeon *****alizes that. You want a surgeon to be confident but not arrogant, ****y and rude. And they are out there. There are many really good, caring, understanding and extremely skilled plastic surgeons who specialize in the post weight loss patient. Don't give up hope and don't settle. I looked at quite a few before I found the wonderful one I have now. This the beginning of a new life for you and you are worth it. This should be an exciting and happy time. You deserve it! God bless you.

Sandi