Nearing Goal Weight...want to get educated

Hi Everyone,

I'm almost at my 1 year anniversary for my DS and have lost 150 lbs.  I know it's too early for me to have surgery, as I am still losing, but I want to start weighing my options.

Based on my body, my priorities for plastics are

1.  Arms
2.  Breast lift
3.  Stomach/thieghs

I will be self paying, which leaves me wondering about good out of country options. 

Also I am wondering how many lbs will come off with the plastics, approx.

Any other info you guys provide will be appreciated!

Thanks, Christy

It is hard to say how much weight actually comes off with plastics.  I have read of people who have lost 20 or more pounds but in my own case I think it was more like five pounds.  It all depends on how much there is.  Your plastic surgeon can usually give you some idea. 

Even if you are considering out of the country options it is probably a good idea to go to a couple of local docs for consultations.  You need to have a frame of reference for your own case particularly when you are dealing with a surgeon who is only looking at your pictures.  So far as feedback on out of the country options many here have traveled to Mexico and other places but I would also suggest you look at plasticsurgeryjourneys.com  .

If cost is a factor we have had some folks who have been very pleased with using one of the plastic surgeon resident training programs.  The surgery is done by an advanced resident and supervised by a senior attending surgeon.  The cost savings can be significant.  Also by staying in the country if you have complications there is a chance that your insurance would pick up the cost overruns.  Also, some surgeons and hospitals provide, what amounts to, complication insurance. 

You did not say how much more weight you want to lose but if you are starting to think about plastics then it may not be too early to go on a few consults to get your feet wet and the information you gather now will help you plan so when you are ready -- you will be all set to go.

Red

Hi Red, I want to lose about another 30 lbs.  Expect to be at goal weight this winter or early spring.  Thanks for the info, esp on the residency programs.

Thanks, Christy

Congrats on your weight loss.

When I asked a similar question, I had a number of people suggest going for plastic surgery consults when I was 20 pounds away from goal. Between waiting for appointments, documenting panni problems with insurance company, and waiting for a surgical date etc. will put me at goal well in time for surgery. You want to be stable and well nourished for surgery so don't rush to have surgery too quickly.

Skin doesn't weigh very much - sad but true. If you read through the posts here you'll see that people who are close to or at normal BMI probably have, on average total of 10 pounds from arms, breast and stomach/thighs. Patients who are not close to goal who have excess fat that is removed with the skin you see higher totals - while their appearance will definitely be improved, they won't be sleek and slim and if they continue to shed weight after plastics, they will have lax skin and may need further plastics.

If you are concerned about maintaining your weight loss, then wait until you have conquered your food demons. Not only is this surgery expensive, but it is very traumatic on the body - you only want to go through these procedures once and enjoy the results.

Hey Christy,

The point made by the other poster is valid-get a couple of local consults first.  I had three "in person" consults, each costing $75-100 and they  were worth the money when I had to start shopping out of the country due to cost.  The other thing is that I was at 150 lbs (still am) and the three local docs recommended NOT losing anymore weight before the surgery so they would have more to work with. (wow, that was a first!)  Also, my normal BMI starts at 145, so I am still about 5 lbs over that.  I am pretty happy with where I am sizewise-6-8 pants and S-M shirt (5'4").

Good luck.