How did you find, "the best of the best" plastic surgeon?
Hi everyone:
I have been creeping around the Plastics board for a week now. I just started my process of trying to find the right Plastic Surgeon to do my lower body lift, abdominoplasty, and possible thigh lift. I want to find someone who is not just a surgeon but a true artist, and clearly someone who has done a lot of body contouring after massive weight loss.
I'm curious to hear how you narrowed down your short list and who you recommend. I will travel anywhere for the right surgeon! Thanks for sharing.
I have been creeping around the Plastics board for a week now. I just started my process of trying to find the right Plastic Surgeon to do my lower body lift, abdominoplasty, and possible thigh lift. I want to find someone who is not just a surgeon but a true artist, and clearly someone who has done a lot of body contouring after massive weight loss.
I'm curious to hear how you narrowed down your short list and who you recommend. I will travel anywhere for the right surgeon! Thanks for sharing.
"We live in a society where it's more socially acceptable to be a junkie than it is to be overweight." --CC Deville, guitarist for Poison 
I started on this board, reading what everyone said about theirs. Then, I read a book on bariatric plastic surgery that was so helpful. I narrowed it down to a couple of choices and read all I could find on their reviews, etc. I also was a fan of the TV show Big Medicine, which featured some bariatric plastic surgery.
I, too, wanted someone with great experience in bariatric plastic surgery and who would be addressing my skin issues with an eye to aesthetics as well as skin removal.
What clinched my decision was after my first consultation. I didn't even schedule one with any other surgeon.
Although we ended up being a four hour drive away, I am still so thankful I chose Dr. LoMonaco.
Lots of research is a bedrock to your search, but once you meet them in person is what will seal the deal or cause you to continue looking.
I, too, wanted someone with great experience in bariatric plastic surgery and who would be addressing my skin issues with an eye to aesthetics as well as skin removal.
What clinched my decision was after my first consultation. I didn't even schedule one with any other surgeon.
Although we ended up being a four hour drive away, I am still so thankful I chose Dr. LoMonaco.
Lots of research is a bedrock to your search, but once you meet them in person is what will seal the deal or cause you to continue looking.
She's right, read the posts on this board. Look @ lots of their pictures of work that they've done! I work for a group of Dentist, I think they are the best! BUT.....there are LOTS of good dentists out there, just do your research!
Also, you have to spend a long time talking w/them and go w/your gut instinct. Do lots of consultations w/several doctors, talk to lots of people & look at lots of pictures. Do your research!
Also, you have to spend a long time talking w/them and go w/your gut instinct. Do lots of consultations w/several doctors, talk to lots of people & look at lots of pictures. Do your research!
Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks
(deactivated member)
on 5/17/11 11:14 pm
on 5/17/11 11:14 pm
Great advice here!! Take your time and research all you can. Book several appts. with plastic suregons so you can compare what they are telling you are the possible results after surgery. I live in St. Louis and we have a ton of plastic surgeons affiliated with major hospitals. Most of them specialize in a certain body part.
My regular doctor gave me the name of a ps who was in his office building. When I went there inquiring about a lbl - he said why don't you just wear spanx-type garments. I told him that has been my past five years since weight loss and it's not fun in 100 degree summertime heat. He reluctantly gave me a quote but also said his favorite type of surgery was hand surgery. What???
Anyway, several other consultations later I feel I have a great ps. First consult, he asked a lot of questions and so did I. He is very particular requiring a certain weight/BMI for the best results. An assistant was with him the entire time. Pictures were taken. The office manager explained in detail how surgery was scheduled (if I chose to), payment options, etc. I was also told at at time I could schedule a follow up consultation at no charge. I was impressed that they did not push the surgery and gave me a folder of all the information for me to review. I did a follow up consult in March and booked my date.
My LBL is scheduled for June 21 at a major hospital. Surgery should be around 4 hours and he will have another ps with him. I will stay in the hospital for two nights. I was given a very detailed list of what medications and foods to avoid starting 2 weeks before suregery. I will also have a pre-op appt. in his office 2 weeks before my surgery. I was given a list of tests to be run (EKG, blood tests) to clear me for surgery as I am 54.
Sorry this is so long - but if you have any other questions just ask!!
My regular doctor gave me the name of a ps who was in his office building. When I went there inquiring about a lbl - he said why don't you just wear spanx-type garments. I told him that has been my past five years since weight loss and it's not fun in 100 degree summertime heat. He reluctantly gave me a quote but also said his favorite type of surgery was hand surgery. What???
Anyway, several other consultations later I feel I have a great ps. First consult, he asked a lot of questions and so did I. He is very particular requiring a certain weight/BMI for the best results. An assistant was with him the entire time. Pictures were taken. The office manager explained in detail how surgery was scheduled (if I chose to), payment options, etc. I was also told at at time I could schedule a follow up consultation at no charge. I was impressed that they did not push the surgery and gave me a folder of all the information for me to review. I did a follow up consult in March and booked my date.
My LBL is scheduled for June 21 at a major hospital. Surgery should be around 4 hours and he will have another ps with him. I will stay in the hospital for two nights. I was given a very detailed list of what medications and foods to avoid starting 2 weeks before suregery. I will also have a pre-op appt. in his office 2 weeks before my surgery. I was given a list of tests to be run (EKG, blood tests) to clear me for surgery as I am 54.
Sorry this is so long - but if you have any other questions just ask!!
Thanks everyone. Currently I am considering Dr. Hurwitz in Pittsburgh and Dr. Al Aly in Orange County. I am gravitating toward them because of their expertise and professional reputations in the massive weight loss/body contouring surgery arena. I am looking to expand the number of surgeons in my "short list" to make sure I choose the best surgeon for me. If you have a great surgeon to recommend, please let me know!
"We live in a society where it's more socially acceptable to be a junkie than it is to be overweight." --CC Deville, guitarist for Poison
I went to an Obesity Help conference and went to the Plastic Surgery breakout sessions. Several of the surgeons held a mini (15 minute) scheduled conference 1:1 with me. I did some research on them.
There are plastic surgeons who do "body sculpting" on bariatric patients with massive weight loss. I was looking for someone with "extensive" experience in patients with massive weight loss.
I am having brachioplasty and abdominoplasty next Tuesday. We are driving 4 hours to the plastic surgeon. Even though he has his own surgical center, he is doing my surgery in an acute care hospital because of my asthma and heart arrythmia (both under good control). I am glad he is concerned enough to do it this way - even though it is more expensive for me.
I also had hospitals closer to my home doing Bariatric surgery, but choose a center with extensive Bariatric Surgery experience. (The hospital was built around the bariatric program with CT scans for morbid obese, Treadmills for morbidly obese, chairs for morbidly obese, Operating rooms for morbidly obese, etc. - even a seperate 27 bed Weight Loss surgery wing - nothing but bariatric patients and specially trained nurses, dieticians, etc. Extensive pre and post op support).
I am a RN and these things were important. I'm willing to travel further and spend more for excellence and experience.
This is just how I made my choices.
There are plastic surgeons who do "body sculpting" on bariatric patients with massive weight loss. I was looking for someone with "extensive" experience in patients with massive weight loss.
I am having brachioplasty and abdominoplasty next Tuesday. We are driving 4 hours to the plastic surgeon. Even though he has his own surgical center, he is doing my surgery in an acute care hospital because of my asthma and heart arrythmia (both under good control). I am glad he is concerned enough to do it this way - even though it is more expensive for me.
I also had hospitals closer to my home doing Bariatric surgery, but choose a center with extensive Bariatric Surgery experience. (The hospital was built around the bariatric program with CT scans for morbid obese, Treadmills for morbidly obese, chairs for morbidly obese, Operating rooms for morbidly obese, etc. - even a seperate 27 bed Weight Loss surgery wing - nothing but bariatric patients and specially trained nurses, dieticians, etc. Extensive pre and post op support).
I am a RN and these things were important. I'm willing to travel further and spend more for excellence and experience.
This is just how I made my choices.
Penny Highest Weight 255 * Wt loss includes 19 lb lost before surgery
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