Are you still wearing compression garments?

Most folks end up traveling for PS. You want a surgeon that has dealt with formally obese people. Our skin took a lot of hits with our losing weight/gaining weight cycle during the years.

I've had 3 rounds of PS, so I am no expert but have had my experience. First, the people on TV are having PS when their wts are still very high and that is why they lose so much wt. Sometimes that is necessary to allow the mobility req for continued healthiness. But getting PS at 200-250, will need to be redone to get good cosemetic results. That is why most private pay people wait until they are at goal wt for awhile before they get PS. My experience is similar to Laura - I was at goal wt - very little weight was lost because I had loose skin, but there was no longer alot of fat attached to the skin, just empty skin. Because these were long surgeries and they pump fluids into you, the only way I knew I lost anything was because the surgeon gave me an estimate - 1-2 pounds. I did not see the tissue removed - when I asked before surgery, he said that he takes it off in little pieces so there is not one big piece (I had arm lift and breast reconstruction, with a TT, there might be one big piece to see. Ask if you are that interested).

That being said, because the tissue that is removed is taken from your 'most problematic' feature, you end up thinking and looking like you lost 10-20 pounds. For me, when they lipoed by saddle bag thighs to harvest the fat for the breast reconstruction, that make a high difference to how pants fit. As in a 6-8 FIT, whereas before a 10-12 fit in the thighs and bagged big time at the waist. Now, I was am similar wt, but much better proportioned so clothes fit more normally.

To understand what reasonable results are:The best thing is to review the pre-op photos your dr took and have them point out what will go - draw new contour lines - on you or one the photos. On the morning of surgery, the PS will mark you up with a sharpie (a brand new one, which will be thrown in the trash can when s/he finishes.) and that is your last time to ask about anything before you go 'lights out"). For my arm lift, I wrapped my batwing up with tape and took a pre-op photo to see what it would look like. Really.

Since you are so excited, you may expect too much too soon - it can take 4-6 weeks before you really look as good as pre-surgery and 4-6 months until you look really good. Measure everything before surgery, so you know how much is swelling that will go away so you do not get discouraged or alarmed at first, when the recovery is the worst and the results often not yet apparent. (As in OMG, I got lipo on my thighs and they are twice a big as before - well - of course they were not, that was just post-op swelling.)

Good luck - take it easy during recovery. The surgery is longer that the WLS and recovery more difficult because more work is being done.

My suggestions: search on line for "wound clinics" in your area, find out if they're in your insurance network. Get that legwork done; being prepared is always a win. If you need a referral or prior authorization, start with your plastics doc. If he/she is resistant bring in your primary doc. Even though most plastics aren't covered by health insurance, medical complications post op are. If your insurance dosen't need a referral--make an appointment for yourself.

I can tell you are very frustrated, it will get better!!

I'd like to suggest you find a wound specialist nearby. There are many reasons for a wound/incision to get "stuck" and not completely heal. In my experience, surgeons slice, dice and done. They lose patience when you aren't the "text book" case. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions and you should not fear he'll let you go as a patient, if anthing, you will fire him!!