Surgeons in NJ

Any surgeon recommendations for South Jersey/Philadelphia area?  I saw many people go to Dr. Capella.  Is a doctor who specializes in plastics after weight loss worth the extra travel time?

I had several procedures with Dr. Stephen Kovach - he is with Penn Plastic Surgery.  I love his work and he is also a great guy.  Prices were more reasonable than I had expected.  You are better off with someone who is used to working with patients after massive weight loss as we do have issues that others do not.

Yes, Many people go to Dr. Capella he is well respected and definitely a specialist in this area. I had a consult with him and he was one of my top contenders. I had my Hernia Repair and LBL 2 weeks ago with Dr. Joseph Michaels in the DC area. (He has offices in Rockville, MD and Virginia) He is also a specialist in this area of plastic surgery and he was phenomenal. Part 2 of my surgery breasts and arms is in May. I highly recommend going for consultations with both.

I did 5 consultations total - 2 local plastic surgeons, well respected ones and although they had done this type of surgery they did not specialize in people who had had massive weight loss. Then I did 3 consultations with surgeons I consider to be specialists in this area. 2 were by phone (I had sent pictures)- Dr. Katzen in California, and Dr. Michaels and I did drive to NJ to see Capella. (I am on Long Island).

I felt it was a win-win whether I chose Michaels or Capella. There were different personal reasons that swayed me to Michaels. Even though you are talking about the same surgery every doc has a little different take on it. It is Art as well as science.

I have no regrets travelling 6-7 hours for surgery A specialist is well worth the travel time. If you scroll down the Plastic Surgery forum there is a post by Dcgirl on the very subject from 3-4 weeks ago (I think)

I was going to go to Dr. Capella but he was SO far away. I live in Bordentown. I had found Dr. Evan Sorokin in Cherry Hill. His practice is Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery. I love him! And his office staff too! I had a tummy tuck (with muscle repair because he doesn't do one without the other), a breast lift and silicone implants. I am about 9 weeks out and still see him every two weeks. He is really amazing. I just referred a friend their for lift/implants. She had gone to about 5 doctors for consults and wound up booking with him. Highly recommend him! message me for any questions..happy to help!

That sounds nice and close!  What hospital was it done in?  I'm only 10 months our of RNY and wonder if I should wait or not.  How long after your weight loss did you wait for plastic surgery?  Were you able to get insurance to cover any of it?

He actually has is own surgery center which is attached to his office. I was in and out in 4 hours. My recovery was not too bad. My surgery was on a Wednesday morning. In at 6 I was home by 2 the latest. My husband was home with me Mon-Fri, and then the weekend. He then went to work on Monday morning. I could have stayed by myself but my Mom came to help get my kids home from school. I had to go back in on Friday so that the nurses could change my dressings. He brings in Board Certified anesthesiologists that work right at Virtua. In the event of an emergency, he will transfer you right to the hospital, but in all his experience that has never happened.

Insurance - none was covered, I didn't even try. I didn't have any sores or bleeding. I was in OK shape. Remind you, I just had a tummy tuck and muscle repair, not a lower body lift. It wasn't warranted. I was thinking of doing my thighs and arms and he said there is not enough extra skin there to warrant the scar that would come with it. I truly appreciated his honesty and experience to not "sell" me into other procedures that would be very unbeneficial.

I waited 2 years until almost the day of my Sleeve anniversary. I had lost 88 pounds total. I had my sleeve done January 16, 2014 and my plastics done January 6, 2016. I went for my initial consult in September 2015 and arranged for the surgery then, as given the amount of time out of work, I wanted to make sure work was prepared. I had also lost the bulk of my weight in the first ten months, then have teetered back and forth 10 pounds here and there. From about 6-months to 10-months post sleeve I was working out and trying to take care of repairing my muscles and skin naturally but nothing worked. I knew I was going to be self pay so I told myself, if you can maintain your weight for 2 years then go for it. I did and so I went :). My recommendation is to go on as many consults as you can. They are usually free. Get many opinions. I say that although I went to see Dr. Sorokin, and booked that day never going for a second opinion. I felt comfortable with his experience, the surgery center, the plan, and his staff and have never regretted that decision yet.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you have! Happy to help!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.  I will definitely schedule a consult!  I'll let you know what I decide to do.  ?

I know one plastic surgeon that can help you, Dr. Kyle Song, he is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Irvine. I think a doctor who specializes in plastic surgeries are worth the extra travel time if you're sure that you will achieve what you really want to. :)