I'm sure there are people of Dr. Michaels' caliber on the west coast. I've heard Dr. Katzen in Beverly Hills mentioned quite a few times, for example. I'm sure there are others - it's just that I didn't research west coast possibilities at all since I'm east of the Mississippi and there are a handful of well-known specialists on this side of the country, too. There are also a couple of very well-known specialists in Mexico, too (Dr. Sauceda and Dr. Cardenas). There may even be one or two up in the PNW - just check around....

You can call them and see if all the documents were submitted. This is the most common delay. Id say it usually takes a couple of weeks to get approval.

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0211.html

AETNA requires the skin hangs below the pubic area and you have 3 months of documented skin rashes that don't respond to treatment for surgery approval.

Hi. Often, I will perform a lower body lift and breast lift (with or without implants) at Stage 1. Stage 2 is to work on arms and legs, plus any touch ups from Stage 1. Hope this helps.

Oh Em, thank you so much! I will read through all that you've linked.

I am proud of myself, in a cautious kind of a way! I feel very confident in clothes, but without them it's a whole different story. I feel love and compassion towards my body, though - it isn't my body's fault that I went through all of that, and despite everything, I remain, thankfully, healthy. I just cannot see comfortably entering a physical relationship looking as I do. Plus, just in terms of my own happiness in how I look, it is important that these things be addressed.

I totally understand the feeling that having plastics adds insurance against ever lapsing back into being so heavy. I know I will view it exactly the same way.

Thanks again for your kind and thorough response.

I don't have a surgeon picked out, but would travel if I had to and was unable to find someone truly top-notch up here. I wish Dr. Michaels wasn't so far away, he sounds pretty perfect. I don't mind traveling as I said for the surgery, it's the follow-up visits beyond the first couple of weeks that would become difficult.

Good to know that it isn't so important to have a face lift done by someone deeply experienced in post-massive weight loss PS. I'm sure I can find a good regular cosmetic surgeon in the greater Seattle area, or I could go to Santa Barbara and have it done down in that area, since I could stay at my brothers, at least until they sell or rent their house there.