Decisions, HELP!!

First off, let me start by saying I live in Louisiana and am 6 yrs. post op RNY.  I started my research a few years ago on plastic surgeons but have yet to make a decision.  First, I am scared to death.  I know I will be happier within myself and look better once I cross the bridge and leave the fat girl behind and the skinny lady can show her curves, etc.

Now, I also found out through my insurance company that they will cover a few plastics and she gave me the codes as she herself had a gastric a year ago.  I need help from any ladies that have had surgery and in choosing a physician.  I have lost 190 pounds and maintained it with the exception of fluctuating 5 pounds occassionally over 155. 

If you would please share pictures, your experience, give names and numbers of your physicians and how you found them along with websight information would be wonderful.  I would love to stay within Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, maybe sum surrounding states of Louisiana where I am not traveling so far and going to be in a lot of pain.

I look forward to hearing from you all......

Wow, congratulations on your weight loss, you have done very well.

I can't give you names in your area but I can give you some general suggestion.

1st - take your time and read as many posts here as you can - go back in time. You'll find people posting pictures, their experiences and tips to help your post-op go smoothly. You'll also see common complications - it's best to be as prepared as possible. It's quite an education.

2nd - plan to have consults with at least 3 different plastic surgeons. Each one will have suggestions as to what you need to accomplish what you desire - take your time and consider each of them carefully.

3rd - limit yourself to plastic surgeons who specialize operating on patients with massive weight loss.

4th - google each of the surgeries for pictures etc. It helps to have an idea of what these surgeries can accomplish. There are several books - if you go back several pages you'll find a post asking about books and I wrote book reports on the three that apply to plastic surgery for patients with massive weight loss.

5th -Find out exactly what your insurance will cover and what documentation they require - give the insurance company exactly what they ask for and hopefully it will go smoothly.

I was scared too and I found I had to go through a process of learning all I could so I understood the risks and the rewards of having surgery. Good luck.

 I had all of my plasics done locally. I am very fortunate in that my surgeon is just across town from me. If I were considering plastics in Texas I would definitely consider Dr. LoMonaco. Here is a link to his website. There are a bunch of his happy patients on this forum and hopefully they will chime in. He will try and work with your insurance. I have pictures on my profile of my results and I couldn't be happier!

http://www.drlomonaco.com/

I had TT with a year of my surgery, had large hernia repaired also...so it was rather urgent.  But I am now 4+ years and also looking into geting more done to put the last of it behind me. I am actually glad that I have waited in some sense... I have proven to my self that I can maintain my weightloss.  I actually still work on losing a few more pounds but have been at my 150 goal for 3 years.  So I was successful. 
I have noticed over time that some of the skin has actually shrank so there is less. I also think that I would prefer not to have some of the more visible scars like on my legs. I have decided longer shorts are better.

But my advice is to make consults with a few PS.  See what they recommend.  See how familiar and knowledable they are with the post op body.  You'll find there are some that only want cash and dont like to bother with insurance.

Good luck in your venture... I am right now appealing a mastopexy request.