Unrealistic surgeon.......nervous
I haven't been on here in almost 8 months. I had a VSG on 6/28/10 and went from 408lbs to 208 right now. I am having an extended tummy tuck on May 9th and as excited as I am I am nervous. My surgeon says he would rather me get down to 180lbs before surgery.
I am stressed because I feel like he's calling me to "fat". I have been busting my hump to try to loose more but I like my size now. I wear a size 10/12 and I don't think my body is meant to be super small.
My hanging skin is very very bad. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm not too "fat" to have a successful surgery.
Thanks so much!
Jennifer
on 3/28/12 4:22 am
I would ask the reasons .... Is he concerned with you as a safety risk, is he concerned that you will not be happy with your results and might want a revision?
We had a PS speak at one of our support group meetings and he said that he is very reluctant to perform surgery on patients with BMI above the mid 30's.
I don't know how tall you are or what your bmi is, but maybe the doctor just has a "set rule" against things.
You should get at least 3 opinions before you choose a surgeon....so take his opinion and use it to ask questions of other surgeons.
Don't let this discourage you.
I was 8 pounds higher than you at 216, and a size 16 when I had my LBL. I was surprised my surgeon didn't tell me to lose more weight.. I was expecting it! So with my size I was even bigger than you. I also started at nearly the same weight as you. I'm guessing you are tall.. I'm 5'5.
My high weight was probably in the 400's but I didn't have a scale that would measure my weight (it stopped at 380 and I was too large for it) and I dieted before I got my official 388 consult weight. But I was at the same weight for about 8 months.
I was pretty steady with my eating and eating the same always which kept me maintaining, but I stopped exercising last July due to severe life turmoil, and that's when I stopped losing. I'm pretty confident I will be able to maintain this weight reasonably. I'm convinced if I start back with the exercise I will lose more. But like you I have a lot of muscle and a very large frame, and I am definitely not meant to be small.
You should find out your body fat percentage.. that's more important than weight. If you are 29% or below, you are at an acceptable percentage and I'd say go forward and find a doc that will do you. I was 36% so not even acceptable, but I had the money and due to a bunch of logistical reasons and my surgeons blessing, I really couldn't wait. I just posted my LBL results.
I am amazed at what my surgeon accomplished considering that I was still quite heavy and the raw material. I am thrilled with the results, and very happy I did this. I don't know if I ever will get to goal but I'm comfortable here for now. I will definitely try to lose more when the dust settles in my life more.
Also my surgeon refused to do a neck lift on me until I'm 10 pounds to goal. He said I would sag and that neck lifts are very weight sensitive. So I'm inspired to get to my goal. I also think that made me trust him more that it really was OK for me to have a LBL at a higher weight, and to work towards having my neck lift. He was very honest and realistic.
My neck really bothers me! I had my chin lipo'd recently and tightening treatments which have improved my chin about 60%. My doctor for that procedure was also very honest and saying he couldn't give me perfect results and I needed a full neck lift, but I wanted an improvement since I won't be able to get a neck lift for a while. I think the LBL made much more difference than a tummy tuck alone would make.
He took off my butt, my mons was pulled up and it was really bad, lipo'd my back, gave me new boobs (I also got a BL/BA), tightened my thighs and even managed to make my inner thighs look about 50% better, which made it less of a priority for me to get those fixed. I can live with them for quite a while longer.
I just posted full pictures the other day. Scroll down in this forum to the bottom or look at my recent posts.
Hope that helps!
Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
However because my whole upper and lower body were pulled so tight and so much was removed, the inner thighs were naturally pulled up a bit. However they are not totally corrected. They go all the way around 360 degrees and pull the top and the bottom together, with lipo, naturally pulling the top and the bottom of the body tighter.
From my surgeon's website:
For patients who have excess skin in multiple areas, Dr. Behmand can perform a comprehensive procedure called a total lower body lift, combining treatment of the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen into one procedure.
Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
~Paul~
Teresa