How did you choose a surgeon?

I am 13 months post-RNY and have lost 125 pounds. I have alot of loose skin although I have been lucky that some has tightened up a bit. I am considering a TT/LBL and breast lift with no augmentation. The cost is a real consideration but I also want someone I can trust and feel comfortable with.

How did choose your surgeon? I have seen that several people on here have used Dr. Michaels in DC and were very pleased. I have also gotten names from my surgeon and a friend. How many consults did you get? What questions did you ask? Did you talk to other patients for references?

My other question is whether I can do both of my procedures at once or whether I should do them separately. I have seen several posters who had LBLs and BLs at the same time. Did it significantly lengthen your recovery time and pain?

Thanks!

I live in the DC area and didn't really want to do recovery away from home, so I pretty much went into my consult with Dr. Michaels knowing "hey, if I like this person, I'm going with him and we'll make the cost work."

I loved him and scheduled my first surgery before I left his office. I talked to other patients of his prior - NYMom and DCGirl. I asked a ton of questions - what I could get done, how I could combine surgeries, what the best order was, if I was fooling myself into thinking that my body was at a good place for reconstruction, what recovery would be like, etc, etc. I had a list in my "surgery book" that I took to every appointment.

As for combinations, that'll depend on you and the surgeon - because not every LBL takes the same amount of time, and not every BL does either. In theory they can be combined.

Thanks Gwen. My bariatric surgeon would like me to use the PS that he works with from GW, Michael Olding, but I don't see any reviews for him on OH which concerns me a bit. I do know that he has worked with post-bariatric patients because he works with my surgeon, but all of his reviews are for face work and breast augmentations.

Also which hospital does Dr. Michaels work out of, Sibley?

Thanks!

If Olding's consults are free, you might as well schedule a consult with him and see what he has to say.

Michaels operates out of Sibley, yes. Offices are in Rockville and.. Fairfax I think?

I am new and very curious as I almost had a heart attack after my first PS consult. Just the TT and lower abdomin up through and including chest without arms and legs was quoted at $37k. I have family in a Frederick MD but live on east coast of central FL? Love some help. Lost 138# total 130 last year.

thanks!

I went to a local PS based on several friends recommendations and the fact that I couldn't travel for it with my DH's issues. He did not specialize in weight loss patients but had done work with some in the past. I just wanted a TT and facelift and I liked his price, the recommendations, and him so I did it there (and have been very happy)

To follow up, I did some calling around this morning and searching websites for more information. I spoke to Dr. Michael's office and they were very helpful. They have a long waiting time and encouraged me to wait a little longer for surgery (Fall). I have a consult scheduled with Dr. Michaels in June and look forward to talking with him.

I also talked to Michael Olding's office. He is the PS my bariatric surgeon referred me to. They are okay with doing both procedures at once and I have a consult with him on April 25. His consult is $75 but that is put toward any future procedures. His office staff was very helpful. He does surgery at George Washington Hospital in DC.

I spoke to the staff for Roger Oldham, who was referred to me by a friend who had RNY. He likes for patients to be 2-3 years post WLS to make sure that they are weight stable.

Finally I read the OH reviews for Douglas Forman and decided to check in with his office. They responded very quickly to my inquiry and were very open and helpful. Dr. Forman does surgery at Sibley like Dr. Michaels. Apparently Sibley is the place to go for DC area plastics. Dr. Forman could do both the TT and BL in one surgery and it probably would be outpatient, which would help with costs. Dr. Forman does alot of post weight loss reconstruction and his website has descriptions and pictures. The patient coordinator who I spoke to said that they also can provide patient names for recommendations, which I thought was great. She also said that they are very familiar with OH and my bariatric surgeon. They had a last minute opening on Monday (4/2), so I will be seeing him soon.

I would really love to hear from more vets about what questions I should ask in my interviews.

I had a lower body lift and breast lift at the same time. My breasts were a non-issue and were fine by day 5. The lower body lift was a hard recovery for me (the breast lift did not add any time to my recovery). I am a teacher and was off for the summer when I had my surgery. I had 7 weeks to recover and needed most of them.

I used Dr. LoMonaco. I knew he had extensive experience with bariatric patients and spoke to many people who had used him and loved him. I saw him speak at several bariatric conferences and knew I wanted him to be my surgeon. He is awesome and I knew he was the right surgeon for me.

Just curious about what impressed you most when you met your surgeon.

My first surgery is in 41 days. I chose my surgeon by looking at a ton of before and afters (remembering that they only put their best work out there), reading any reviews I could find and meeting with him. I got a really good gut feeling from him and felt he was very compassionate and skilled and that I could trust him not only to do the surgeries but to be there if I had complications of any sort.

Another surgeon who's results I actually liked better (and was a lot closer to me) had enough negative reviews about his behavior and actions when there were complications that I realized I couldn't in good conscience put my trust in that one. And complications happen with these surgeries - they aren't minor procedures. So someone who you can trust to make it right and be there for you through it all is so important.