Just starting to think about PS - where do I begin?

I am almost 2 years out from my DS and have been stable with my weight (+/- a couple of pounds) for 8 months. I am just starting to think about plastic surgery and don't know where to begin. I have no idea how to find a good plastic surgeon around my area (Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois) or if traveling out of country would be better since I will be self-pay. I don't have the funds yet, but I want to put as much research into this as I did my DS, which was a couple of years.

I am doing lots of internet research and I just feel overwhelmed! Saline or Gel implants? Under the muscle? I'm not even sure what procedures my body needs. My bottom half is just a mess since that is where most of my weight was carried. My butt is the worst part.

I have a couple of business cards and checked out their websites. Is it pretty normal to do plastic surgery outpatient at a clinic and not a hospital? That kinda scares me.

How many consultations/quotes should I get?

Should I get a quote for each procedure I think I might need?

Thanks so much for any information you can give me!

, Jules

The best way to find a great plastic surgeon is through word of mouth. Go to your local support group and talk to members who have had work done. Get as many consults as you would like until you find someone you are comfortable with. Also, please don't make your selection based on price alone. My surgeon did extra things that some surgeons would leave behind because they weren't paid to do it. I was told this by several of his patients in my support group, Then when he lifted my mons during my tummy tuck and another lady's surgeon left hers I knew I made the right decision. If there is a will there is a way. Yes more surgeons are using surgery centers because they are cheaper. Some have gone out of the country to have their plastics done but I didn't because I couldn't afford to go back if I had a complication which I did with my tummy tuck. Good luck to you and hats off for being proactive. A final thought begin with the area/s that bother you the most and please don't be surprised if you discover more after your first procedure.

Great advice, thank you so much!

Jules

Are you sure you need to be 100% self-pay?  If you have health insurance, the 1st thing I would do is to call them.  Even if for example, they only pay for panniculectomy, and you want a LBL, you can self-pay the difference. 

I didn't want to travel for surgery, so the next call I made was to the local bariatric program to see who they recommended for thier patients. 

Most people recommend getting 3 quotes.  You should probably get a quote for each procedure and see how they would stage your procedures. 

Good luck!
Laura

Laura,

Thanks for your response. I will definitely call my insurance to check it out.

I called the two places that my bariatric surgeon recommended and they each charge a $100 consultation fee that would be applied towards the surgery. I think I will do some more research so that when I do go in, I will know the correct terminology and questions to ask.

Thanks for your help!

Jules

Get as many quotes as you can get recommendations. Check with your insurance to see what they might cover - but do NOT ask about plastic surgery. Ask instead about reconstructive surgery - sometimes plastics aren't covered but reconstruction by a plastic surgeon is (semantics, semantics).

I wouldn't go in asking about specific procedures. I'd go in, present my body and say "help!" I did that, and it worked very well. They may give you an idea of specifically what surgeries they would recommend that day, or they may just take pics and talk with you and have you back in another day to get to specifics. They will probably not be able to give you any sort of cost on the first visit, simply because everyone is different. But I would want a quote in a few days for each procedure broken down into surgeon's fee, anesthetist fee, hospital/clinic fee, and anything else.

As far as clinic vs. hospital, I had a lot done at once and it was done in the hospital for that reason. However, if they'd suggested I do it in the office, I would have demanded hospital, again because so much was being done.

If you're willing to come to northern Illinois, google the guys in my sig line: they have been FABULOUS as far as the work they did and the care of my body and mind.

Best of luck with it all, Jules - the body reconstruction ride is almost as fun as the original WLS ride!

 Rebecca,

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

I will call my insurance and see if they cover reconstructive surgery. I'm also going to check out your plastic surgeons in your siggy. Sounds like you are very happy with your results!

Take care,

Jules

Hi Jules,
Both Tom and I went to Dr Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico.  The surgery is done in a clinic and you stay in the clinic with 24/7 care until you can go back to the hotel.

I'm 9 weeks out from an LBL, BL, arms and upper thigh lift.  I really love my new look.  You can click on the link in my sig line for Dr Sauceda for his OH discussion board.

You can see my pics on my profile and also the pics in the photo section on Dr Sauceda's board.  I'm very happy that I did it all at once.  I had one recovery period and now I'm back at work.
Come on over.

Hi Jules,

Congrats on your accomplishments.  Drop me us email at sally@drlomonaco.com and we will be happy to get you a copy of my book "Bariatric Plastic Surgery" written by 3 surgeons especially for weight loss patients.

In answer to your questions, your bariatric surgeon will be a great resource for you because he has presumably seen the work and witnessed the care rendered by any PS he recommends. 

A doctor is only as good as the referrals he makes, and poor care is usually not tolerated by a protective surgeon.  I know I am that way when sending patients in need of WLS to a bariatric surgeon colleague.

I recommend 2 or 3 consultations....this is a totally new field of plastic surgery and not all surgeons have a similar dedication and experience when it comes to WLS.  A complete cost quote is routinely given.

Review my website page about insurance coverage too...there are links to the plans and some helpful hints plus sample letters:

http://www.drlomonaco.com/tips-on-getting-insurance-for-plas tic-surgery.shtml

As for doing this kind of surgery in a non-hospital, I have reservations.  These are typically the biggest cases done in all of plastic surgery and my opinion is that lab, xray, and backup services along with a 24hr doc in house are necessary.

DO ask if your surgeon has any ownership of the facility he is using. I hate to say this, but financial motivations can be at play and some states require doctors to disclose this important information.  FYI doctors are not allowed to own pharmacies, xray facilities, or rehab clinics that they send patients to.  Surgery facilities are a loophole.

As for surgery outside of the country, it's fine provided you have arranged for your followup care at home, use a facility that is certified by Joint Commission International, and are OK having no legal protection and possibly no insurance coverage while you are out of the country.

Good luck on your journey !