Gastric Bypass surgeon

I am curious to find out how many people had a panniculectomy performed by their gastric bypass surgeon, not a plastic surgeon?? I am hearing that is more common than people realize.  My gastric bypass surgeon suggested I go for insurance approval for him to do the surgery, thinking I wouldnt get approved I said why not go for it...I got approved and surgery is scheduled for September 13, 2010.  now my mom threw another wrench into it, she informed me that her and my dad want to pay the difference so i can get a complete LBL...my parents dont have a fortune to be tossing away thousands on me, but I am flattered.

I guess I shouldve thought about all of this months ago, but I really was sure i wouldnt be approved. now i feel like a whirlwind of questions i should have....

Personally, I wouldn't consider any plastic surgery by anyone other than a properly credentialled plastic surgeon.  Bariatric/general surgeons are for the insides, plastic surgeons are for the outside.

I have my first consult tomorrow with a plastic surgeon.

Good luck to you -- sounds like you have a lot to think about!

My bariatric surgeon will do them if they are going in to repair a hernia or something. I know this because at my 2 year check up they were very interested to see my scars and incisions from my LBL. They share the office w/ my PS and were amazed by the scars. The RNY Dr. said when they do a panni removal you can really tell by the shape on the hips.

Personally I would take your parents up on their offer.  If you feel bad about them "tossing away thousands" you can always pay them back over time when you have some cash. My mom lent me the money for all my surgeries and I'm paying her back over time. Personally I think you'll be much more happy w/ results of the LBL and your insurance has already approve the panni removal so it shouldn't matter if you have a PS do it or your bariatric surgeon.

Sonya

My surgeon's ex-partner used to do them if also doing a hernia repair, but I'm with another poster -- only a plastic surgeon would be what I consider.  The reason is that they are specially trained to know how skin stretches/repairs itself over years, and they do make prettier incisions -- trust me on this -- I'm not just a plastic surgery patient, I'm an operating room RN.  BUT ... if that was my only option, I can see how it would have been tempting. 

Nope, I wouldn't do it. I'd go with a PS for any cosmetic procedure.

If you were approved for a GB to do the panni, you should be approved for a PS to do it as well.

good luck and lucky you for having such generous parents.

Definitely go to a plastic surgeon for the LBL - someone with experience performing LBL on patients with massive weight loss. This is a very long and complicated surgery required special expertise and experience.

Tough decision - hard to know what your hanging skin will look like after you have stabilized and maintained your weight for awhile - will a panni be enough to satisfy you? I presume you are young and don't smoke and if lucky your skin may retract enough that you are happy. I like the suggested idea to pay your parents back over time.

They CAN do it but will you be satisfied with the RESULTS?  Your scar, the scar placement etc.  How many others has he done.  SHOP around cause you will more then likely have to LIVE with this forever.  I wouldn't do it but I'm vain!!

Ms Shell

My surgeon we done my gastric bypass is doing the skin removal. She wanted to do my but I told her that I trusted her in alot of what she dose but not in plastic surgery because it is new to her. She did get my approval from insurance for me. Just took it to the other surgeon and they just had to recheck it to make sure. So she said she understood. So I went to a plastics surgeon who knew what they were doing and he did a great job. So glad I went. Just be up front with surgeon.

I had a pannic with a full tt with muscle repair. All done by my bariatric surgeon. I did consult with several board cert. plastic surgeons, however none made me feel as comfortable as my bariatric surgeon. I also work very closely with this group of bariatric surgeons, so I know them personally and see thier surgery schedules and I knew that my bariatric surgeon has done just as many if not more pannic, tt, lbl, and so forth than most BSPS.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your choice. I am very happy with my results. As of tomorrow, I will be 8 weeks post op. I did post pictures on my profile, pw is howdoesitlook