Starting to Research Plastics

Hello All

I'm about 6 months out from my RNY, and have lost about 100 lbs - I've met my doctor's goal and my fantasy goal is about 20 lbs away.  I have a ton of excess skin (tummy, but, back and face),  so i'm starting to research and save money for potential plstics. If possible, I'd like to have the work done in 18 months or so, which would be 2 years out from my rny.

I've got a couple of questions - I don't have a good support system at home - but my kids are grown and I'm very independent,.  Is a LBL possible in that scenario?

Also, I've read lots of good things about Dr S in Mexico, but without a stateside support system, I'm not sure how dealing with drains or any potential complications would be.

Thanks for any insight.  I'm sure you'll be hearing from me over the next 18 months as I work through all the options.

I love Dr S!
He's done all of my procedures and I'll return for the rest sometime next year.

I think it's vital that you have a doctor stateside who is willing and able to assist you if you should have a complication.  I would also check with your health insurance and make sure they will cover an ER visit, should you need to make one - also a hospital stay.  Things can happen and in the last 3 years since I've been active with the Dr S group, I have seen 3 of his patients require hospital stays, wound vacs and ports to receive IV antibiotics.  Thankfully, all three had health insurance plans that were willing to pay for the care or else, it could have been financial devestation. 

Not only will you need a PCP for possible aftercare, but you will need one to order your pre-op labs and EKG (if you're older than 40 y/o)

With a LBL, you will be required to stay in Mexico for 12 to 14 days. Dr S will tell you how long, but not less than 12.  By the time, you get home, you should be able to care for  yourself.  As you know while in Mexico, Patty, Dr S's RN will visit your hotel room daily to help you shower, change your dressings and do anything else, you may need.  When I went in 2009, I had a brachioplasty and extended TT.  I returned after 14 days to my empty home.  I called my friend and asked if she would come for my first shower the next day.  She did.  After that, I did fine on my own. 

Since you're still in the research phase, I think you would have enough time to locate a good PCP in your area who is willing and interested in helping you post op.

BTW, the drains and stitches are no big deal.  I removed my own drains and most of my stitches.  A NP friend of mine removed the ones I couldn't see.

Visit Dr S's forum here on OH and you will get all the answers you need!

I wondered about insurance paying in the event one was admitted to the hospital following elective surgery.  Do you know the general guidelines.  That was one of my concerns.

Each insurance company is different.  You have to check with them before having any elective surgery. 

I know with one of the girls, her insurance refused to pay initially.  The infectious disease nurse figured out that it wasn't her plastic surgery that caused her infections on her incisions, but she had a lot of very extensive dental work right after the plastics and they believed that the infection entered her body via her dental work, not via the plastic surgery sites.  I believe after that finding, they decided to pay. She was in the hospital for 10 days.  That bill would have been enormous!

I was hesitant to call only because I did not want anything documented in the even I needed additional medical attention.  I figured the doctor/hospital would be able to submit in a way where my chances for payment would be greater.  I understand the need to know though.

My insurance was one that totally refused to pay for anything related to elective procedures.  When I returned in 2009, I got a seroma a few weeks later.  I saw my doctor and he sent it in as wound care. They paid 80% of it and never asked what the wound was from.  I guess, I was fortunate.

You were very fortunate.  Good for that doctor for coding it that way - after all it was wound care.

I had a consult with Dr. Le at Kaiser.  I then told him that I couldn't afford it and would be going out of plan to Mexico.  He said that follow-up care would be covered, but nothing plastics.  So wounds, stitches, drains etc.

A few weeks before my surgery I wrote to my PCP and told her my plan and asked her to help me when I got home.  She said I would need to see my surgeon.  When I explained that my surgeon was in Mexico and I would be under his care for two weeks, she wrote back a one line email "good luck, let me know if you need help when you get home".

I ultimately was terminated from an 18 year job on my last day in Mexico.  (corporate downsizing) and lost my insurance on 12/31/11.  I now have Cobra coverage.

I had all stitches except my groin removed my last day in Mexico.  I had 9 of 11 drains removed in Mexico.  When I got home I removed the last two drains myself two days later.  I just had to focus and act quickly.  No problem and I about pass out when someone cuts their finger.

The stitches I couldn't do myself and didn't want to ask a friend.  My son's ex NYC roommate is an ER doctor in San Francisco.  Perfect.  She came over and removed the stitches.  She also diagnosed that I had an infection behind one ear from the facelift and wrote me a script for antibiotic ointment as well as oral antibiotics should I need them.  I haven't had to take them. 

Several nurses here on OH offered to remove stitches for me, well, maybe I asked if they would. :)

This week I developed a seroma in my leg and at support group, I asked a friend/nurse to look at it to confirm that's what it is.  If it gets worse and I need to, I will head straight to Kaiser for care.  I don't think they can turn me away as this isn't a botched plastic surgery.

Come join us over on Dr. Sauceda's site here on OH if you'd like more info from his patients.  I think he rocks and will recommend him to anyone who asks.  He'll be doing consultations in Las Vegas on June 1-2, 2012.  Some of us will be there for a patient reunion!

Lee,

Were you put on antibiotics post surgery (immediately afterwards)?

Michelle

 Yes, IV antibiotics while in the clinic, then another additional week 2x a day orally.