I've heard of all of them except for Kovach, Giles, and Shuster. The others you mentioned are pretty well-known to the bariatric community and have excellent reputations.

I used Lawrence Zachary in Chicago who also has an excellent reputation and is pretty well-known in the bariatric community as well, but there are enough "stars" on the east coast (i.e., closer to you) that I would go with one of them. Plus if you're one of the few who experiences complications, it'd be helpful if your surgeon was within driving distance, I would think.

Edited to add that a lot of people do travel for plastic surgery, so it's not NECESSARY to have someone within driving distance, but it might be easier...

Congrats on your weight loss!! I am have not had plastics yet, hoping to this winter. I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Michaels. If I lived closer, he would be my pick. His work is amazing!!

Thank you!

My doc was Joseph (Joe) Michaels, in Bethesda, Maryland. The surgery was at Sibley Hospital in DC. I stayed one night, so I've been home since midday Thursday.

I'd rate Dr. Michaels at 100%. I found him easy to talk to but he never had a super casual air about him, he was all about the business. What I really liked about him was that I know he works with a lot of patients in a wealthy area who are going for a "certain look" that I am not, and he never made any assumptions and always ask the right questions to understand the type of body I was hoping to have. My family was really impressed with his bedside manner and communication during and after the surgery. His office staff was also stellar with communication and organization leading up to surgery.

Yesterday I was finally able to get completely undressed and take a look at everything, and I couldn't believe how amazing the results are. I could never imagine he could do what he did. He just has magic hands, plain and simple.

This was definitely the most painful thing I've ever been through. But I appreciated that the nurses and Dr never demeaned me regarding my levels of pain or made me feel in anyway that I was exaggerating, they made me as comfortable as possible and reassured me that the pain would be very short-lived, which it was. After two days I was feeling like I could move ahead and live pretty comfortably.

Hi, I'm new to the group. Had RNY on March 11th and combined with my pre-op loss have now said goodbye to over 98 pounds. :)

I have another 30 pounds to go but I'm starting to seriously research plastic surgeons for my next step. I have several on my short-list and am hoping to get feedback from any of their patients:

Dr. Joseph Capella

Dr. Laura Carmina Cardenas

Dr. Joseph Michaels

Dr. Stephen Kovach

Dr. Peter Fisher

Dr. P. Dudley Giles

Dr. Bernard Shuster

Or if you have used someone else that you would highly recommend, I'm all ears. I'm from upstate NY but am willing to travel for the best surgeon.

Thank you very much!!!

Congrats to you and getting through your surgery!! I am hoping to have plastics this winter, so I will be watching you and your recovery.