Refused an abdominoplasty.
on 10/22/12 5:45 am
I had gastric bypass surgery 8 years ago. I have this skin on my abdomen that will not move in spite of diet and exercise.
The surgeon came in and looked at me and told me he could do nothing for me. That I had a "weight problem". Hello? Did he read nothing of my history? Then he pulls out a books of photos of people who have had tummy tucks. They are all very thin model-types. He said he cannot do tummy tucks on anyone who is not at her "ideal weight".
??? In all my reading, I never once saw those words. If I was at my ideal weight, I don't think I would be looking at spending thousands of dollars on surgery. I asked him to show me where those words were either on the website or in the literature they gave out. He could not find it. I told him it should be posted on the front door of the waiting room as well as online and in the literature. The worse part is, the WEIGHED ME before I saw the surgeon. If I was obviously not at "ideal weight" then why was I charged and allowed to even go in for a consulatation??? ( I am 50 lbs above "ideal weight") I belong to weigh****chers and I have an exercise bike and a treadmill. But that abdominal fat will not come off. I have huge muscular legs as a result of all the exercise. I left the place in tears and could not control myself for hours. What did I do wrong?
Take front, side, back, side pics and email to [email protected] He'll get back to you with a quote and what he can do for you.
You can click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line and it'll take you over to our group here on OH.
ETA: You also want a PS who has worked with our skin issues from our mis-shapen bodies. Our skin is not like a little mommy tummy tucks that the PS you saw does.
Chris
HW/225 - 5'1" ~ SW/205/after surgery 215 ~ CW/145~ BMI-25.8~Normal BMI 132 ~DS Dr Rabkin 4/17/08
Plastics in Monterrey - See Group on OH Dr Sauceda Jan 13, 2011
LBL, BL, small thigh lift, arms & a full facelift on 1/17/11 UBL 1/21/13
Love my Body by Sauceda
on 10/22/12 7:15 am
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/4504229/1st-consult-today/
Some ps's just don't have the experience with weight loss patients. I went to 4 consults and had a LBL first then a vertical thigh lift with an experienced qualified ps. Plastic surgeon's are perfectionist by nature. If they don't have experience with patients like us, they don't like to work with us because we most likely wont look surgically 'perfect' afterwards. Don't be discouraged, call around to other ps's and prior to making the consult appt, ask how frequently the ps performs body contouring surgeries for patients that have had massive weight loss.
Good luck
You should ask your bariatric surgeon's office for a few referrals.
Then, call and make sure ahead of time that the surgeon has experience on weight loss surgery patients.
Explain that you are about 50 pounds above a normal bmi and that you want to discuss your options.
Has your weight been stable for a while? Many surgeons want that stability more than a 'normal' bmi.
What a horrible experience?! All the plastic surgeons I researched in our area often have a specialty with plastic surgery after weight loss surgery...where do you live? I live in the Washington D.C. area
That doctor was innapropriate and unprofessional..it is not you! My weight loss surgeon Dr. Halmi reccomended Dr. George Bitar for plastic surgery. I am so sorry you went through that. I wish knew plastic surgeons in your area. keep you head up...do not give up! 
on 10/22/12 1:23 pm
Thanks to everyone who posted. I appreciate your kindness. I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area. The Dr. I consulted with is with one of the most famous hospitals in the USA and is in this city. He is a plastic surgeon. It appeared to me that he deals with women who want a perfect size 0 body. I guess I would not be a walking advertisement for his business. Apparently there must be a lot of people with the cash to pay him in this " economy". He didn't want my cash. And he told me that my PCP who sent me there was totally uninformed about what he does. I was crying and he just left the room and nobody came to say anything to me or even say goodbye or good luck. It was the worst experience I have ever had.
The PS you saw was a J-ass and I don't care which hospital he works at if he cannot show you simple respect as a human-being he should be reported for Fat Discrimination! This has recently been written up about in the Israeli newspapers on obese people coming for Bariatric surgery and being denied as too fat and just stop eating and go on a diet! Ummm hullo!
You should not have been passed in to his office if tour weight criteria was not to his approval!
I recommend you consider Dr.Saucedo in Mexico. Everything I read about him (and I live in Israel and no money to travel and I have corresponded with him!) is that he is a kind compassionate empathetic expert doc/surgeon/artiste in field of Body Contouring After Weight-Loss. Dang I wish I could go to him!
DO NOT GIVE UP
Check out other PS.
Good luck and I really hope in the next few weeks to read that you are scheduled for surgery.
Mikimi in Israel
I'm sorry you had that awful experience. He actually did I you a favor, because if he doesn't have experience with obesity patients, he shouldn't be your doctor. I was referred to my PS by my bariatric doctor, just call the office and ask who they refer for plastics.
Or you can take your precious cash to Mexico and go to dr. Sauceda, I have been on these boards for four years and his work never fails to impress me. You will also have some cash left over when you get home (for this economy) :)
