General questions
The ones most often mentioned on the east coast are Dr. Capella in NY and Dr. Michaels in MD. I know there are some west coast ones too, but I don't know their names off the top of my head. It's important to find a surgeon who specializes in reconstruction after weight loss because our skin is different and requires different techniques.
I lucked out because Dr. Michaels is local to me.
This depends on the surgeon, but they tend to want patients to be maintaining their weight for at least 3-6 months prior to surgery.
When I did the math for my procedures it worked out to around $7-8000 per procedure, with the lower body lift counting as two. (That includes all surgeon fees and hospital fees.) There are additional expenses as well - for me these included a night in a hotel close to the hospital prior to each surgery in order to not risk getting stuck in traffic and random medical supplies which add up.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
I am in Houston and Dr. LoMonaco here is one of the best. He has extensive experience with bariatric patients. I would highly recommend you find someone with bariatric experience. We are just "different".
I did not just want to look better than I did before plastics. I wanted to look good. I got the results I wanted.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I would wholeheartedly vouch for Dr. Reish in NYC, who did my breasts and tummy tuck. I've seriously never in my life received care from a doctor as top-notch as this. Super responsive, attentive, and he does wonderful work!
I was at goal for like 6 months pre-plastics, but I would have done it sooner. My surgeon didn't have a goal requirement but I will say that getting the plastics certainly makes me want to do everything in my power to maintain my results - much moreso than pre-plastics.
VSG: 06/24/15 // Age: 35 // Height: 5'10" // Lost so far: 190 lbs
HW: 348 (before 2 week pre-op diet) // SW: 326 // CW: 158
TT/Lipo & BL/BA: 07/21/17 with Dr. Reish (NYC) BL/BA Revision: 01/11/18 with Dr. Reish (NYC)
Unconventional Sleever & Low-Carb Lifer
Dr Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico. I had the works done, LBL, BL, arms, sm thigh and 4 days later a full facelift including upper and lower lids in 2011 and went back 2013 for an UBL. We have a group here on OH. Click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line.
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
There are two other surgeons not yet mentioned that are well-regarded for bariatric plastic surgery are Timothy Katzen and Peter Fisher. Fisher did a few gals that I know and they look fabulous. Be sure to check out the personal stories posted on RealSelf from people who had LBLs with all of these plastic surgeons.