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So I'm going to have gastric sleeve the end of the month and I know I will have loose skin because I only been heavy for 5 years. Prior to the five years I was extremely fit but from children I couldn't tighten my legs completely and my stomach skin. Now honestly my legs are not that bad that I can't tolerate it after weight loss nor are my arms. It's my stomach. I am interested in Panniculectomy surgery. I was reading and I see it's extremely hard to get a approval but if you can prove it's causing pain the insurance company will pay. The problem is finding a surgeons office that is willing to go through the headache to do this and get the approval especially through Medicaid. I know someone that got a hernia repair and the surgeon also gave the tummy tuck but they didn't except my insurance. Because with the hernia they can bill to remove access skin. I already had 1 hernia repair or and I need another one. If I can find a surgeon that takes my insurance and can do the repair and the Panniculectomy that would be perfect. Any recommendations in NJ state? Thank you! I know there's loopholes everywhere it just takes someone willing to stay compliant and still be helpful to the public not a lot of people are willing to do that.
Hi there. Chances are pretty good that it was me that posted regarding Stephen Kovach. I had lots of work done by him in 2012 through 2014. He is with Penn Plastic Surgery at the hospital of the university of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I loved both him and his work. He also does lots of reconstruction work due to trauma and cancer patients. He also did some work on my husband. You can check him out on you tube - he has several programs at Penn that he participates in. Very skilled surgeon with a great bedside manner. I was surprised at how reasonable his rates were given that it was Penn.
Just dumb luck that I logged into hear today - I haven't been on here in probably a year. I guess it was meant to be.
Good luck - feel free to ask any questions.
on 8/1/19 6:56 am
Thank you very much for the reply Erin! I'm glad you're happy with his work. He keeps getting bumped up on my list. :)
I had a lower body lift and breast lift with fat transfer with Dr. Michaels about 18 months ago. My results continue to be really awesome. I paid about $25k for all of it.
VSG: 1/17/17
5'7" HW: 283 SW: 229 CW: 135-140 GW: 145
Pre-op: 53 M1: 22 M2: 12 M3: 12 M4: 8 M5: 10 M6: 11 M7: 5 M8: 6 M9-M13: 15-ish
LBL/BL w/ Fat Transfer 1/29/18
on 7/31/19 10:31 am
Lots of great info, thanks a lot for taking the time to write. Another member mentioned Dr. Sauceda as well. Do you have a post about your experience with him and his team? Would you mind answering some questions?
1) Were you weary of surgery in Mexico? If so, what put you at ease about traveling?
2) Did you go alone? Would you feel comfortable going alone (I will be)?
3) Is he affiliated with or recommend a recovery house/facility?
Thanks again for all this info. I didn't realize that the "empty" fat cells affected hormones! About to do some research about that.
- HW = 290 (12/18/2018)
- SW = 264 (RNY: 3/11/2019)
- CW = 175
- Goal = 164
If you're following your surgeon-recommended post op diet and exercising you probably will lose quite a bit past your goal weight.
I would wait too until the two year honeymoon period was over . A lot of peoples weight resettles in different places ... skin firms up and your results will be far more beautiful if you diligently exercised and developed your muscles and now your surgeon just has to redrape and attach the skin to show your new definition off .
Also liposuction and loose skin removal ( which removes empty fat cells too and REALLY helps prevent the hormonal changes ( excess estrogen put out by " hungry" empty fat cells trying to refill themselves ) that lead to hunger cravings and regain will be much more effective at your lowest weight.
I used Francesco Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico and I was EXTREMELY pleased with all my results. ( armlift, LBL, thigh lift, Brazilian Butt lift , TT, liposuction of flanks and tummy, and fu-pa) he even liposucked my jiggly knee fat giving me great legs !
on 7/31/19 5:37 am
Thanks for your advice. I will definitely take it, you and DCGirl sound like the experts!
on 7/31/19 5:35 am
Thank you so much for the feedback. Of course I'm antsy to have these bat-wings fixed but it's worth waiting at least 6 months for better results. Time flies so I just have to remind myself to be patient! And thanks for the congrats as well.
If history repeats, maintenance will be the hardest part for me. I've lost significant weight (over 80 pounds) 4 times in the past 20 years, only to gain it back plus some. This is the primary reason I made the decision to have WLS. To have this amazing tool in place that will assist me in keeping it off. I know I'll still have to be vigilant and that some regain is common. My hope is that with this tool, I'll be successful.
- HW = 290 (12/18/2018)
- SW = 264 (RNY: 3/11/2019)
- CW = 175
- Goal = 164
I agree with everything DCGirl said. In addition, I've read that gaining or losing more than 10 lbs after plastic surgery can affect your results. If that's true, you definitely want to be at a stable weight for awhile before having it. I had a 12 lb bounceback after hitting my lowest weight. It's pretty common...