Plastic Surgery Covered in 5th Year Post-Op?

I have told myself over the last 4 years that if I continue to exercise and weight train (3x/wk. w/trainer) that I could tighten up and not need plastic surgery. Now in my 5th year, and a considerable wt. loss over the past several mos. I realize that my stomach will never be flat, and I will spare you the visual re: my as seen in National Geographic boobs. I could likely get some air whilst waving arms and lift off into space, only to be dragged down by the same gravity that pulls at my loose skin everywhere. For the most part I am OK, but it is my stomach and those things that were once boobs (now empty vessels) that are really getting to me. So, a few questions: 1. I am 8# from goal (personal) of 129, from 278...do I have to be at goal or maintained a consistent weight for x # mos.? 2. Do I have to prove health issues (aching back, crowded waistline with my boobs now hanging out there too) or are loose skin and empty vessels enough proof? 3. My RNY surgeon is now practicing in another state...does that matter? 4. Should I just get over myself and be thankful for where I am today vs. morbid obesity of the past? 5. BTW, it is important to note that my husband loves me today as I am and loved me when I was M.O...so none of this is a push from the outside...does it make a difference if you decide "OK, enough is enough and I can see that this hangy stuff is never going to go away and when faced with good/better/best...I must choose looking and feeling best?" Any insight appreciated...gotta go get dressed, there is a crowd around my waistline!

Hello Karen - Plastic Surgeons tend to vary with their "rules and procedures" as much as the Gastric Bypass Surgeons do. Same with the insurance companies when it comes to the approval process - I can only share my experiences with you. 1) My doctor wanted my weight loss to be stable for at least six months, before doing any type of surgery. He did NOT expect me to be at goal (what's goal? just a number that we randomly choose based on specifics that fit OUR criteria but not necessarily the PS's or the GBS) ....so my PS didn't expect me to be at a certain "number" ..but he did expect my body to have tapered off on it's DRAMATIC drops. At the time of my first set of plastics, my body had only lost about 5 pounds over six months. Keep in mind that is strictly based on a very RUSTY memory - which is why I journalize everything. If I went back and read my profile (at 275 pages, it aint gonna happen) I may find that Im off on some of the above numbers, but close. 2) With TricarePrime (my insurance company) YES - I did have to supply documentation, lots and lots of it. It helped to get the Tummy Tuck w/anchor incision and muscle tightening and the breast LIFT - approved. The arm lift and breast implants were on my dime. More detailed info on what I put together for my insurance company is in my file. 3) I have NOT seen my RNY surgeon since my 3 month POST OP visit. My husband is a MilitaryDude and we live where Uncle Sam tells us to live. We transferred out of Washington state 2 years ago. 4) LOL - um, well, you're on your own with this one! I dunno, should you? For ME - there was NO "getting over myself". My doc removed almost 10 lbs of skin and fat from my stomach area alone. My son weighed 9 lbs at birth - so in all reality, I could have lived the rest of my life FEELING like I was 9 months pregnant or I could have Minnie-Lei cut off. Good luck to you on whatever you decide - Lei

Thanks Lei. I appreciate all of your insight and links to your personal documentation. I guess I am in the early stage regarding plastic surgery...fascinating that I have given more thought to this than I ever did about WLS!!! I guess back then desperate times called for desperate measures! I really have to do some soul searching on many levels...one in particular is that I heal like crap! I have a strong tendency to keloid which would be OK on my stomach, but would be somewhat displeasing on my boobs. ...sorry for the outward thinking. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond with such honesty (and humor)...BTW, my boys weighed 10.8# and 10.14# respectively...can you imagine the cow utter like stomach I am sporting these days? Thanks again, Karen

Hi Karen--You description is really humorous and I am sure most of us can relate. 1-I think like with everything else involving docs, their requirements vary. But, it seems like most docs want you to be at a steady weight for a minimum of six months. 2-For some people it seems like they are approved without any "health issues", but for most inusrnace companies documentation is required. 3-I don't see my RNY surgeon either--it makes no difference 4+5--It's a personal decison. I really didn't think I would get any plastics, but have over time decided to go that route. I just had my tt last week. My husband really wasn't thrilled with the idea of me going under the knife again too. Good luck to you with whatever you decide.

Thanks for the reply. Your reply has helped me, but I guess I am sort of far off from making a decision either way. Currently I am wearing an 8 or 10 petite, and have to squish my gut into "Spanx" (are you familiar?) just to have what looks like a stomach and not an mid-term pregnancy. How are you feeling post TT? Can you share a little about the type (how long is the incision, what is the recovery like, do you have drains, etc.) and how what shape (other than blob) was your stomach in prior to surgery? Any and all insight is appreciated! Thanks so much and heal well!

Sounds like you made a great choice! How much does it cost to have a TT and breast lift, and can they do the procedures at the same time? Also, has your clothing size changed post op PS? Congratulations on all of your success, you must feel wonderful and you are wonderful!!! Karen

All I have had is the inverted t, that took off 8 pounds. I still do a double wave, my son and husband say my butt looks like a shcarpe sp?, But they still love me. I just am a little self conscious in my daisy dukes and sleeve-less wear, but I earned it. Stacey

An inverted T sounds like a formation in football...ya know the color commentator on the TV (the one with the remote that you have no control of) sez "shifting from the I to the T" while you are changing a diaper while feeding another kid while folding laundry while cooking dinner while keeping peace in your home while wiping off the sweat from your earlier workout (the one that was shortened by screaming kids and DH with selective hearing)...blah, blah, blah. Where was I? Oh yeah, what is an inverted T? With love from one with a crack only, no butt left...to one with a Sharpay (?) butt, Karen

Hey there I have some info on my profile about plastics that I copied from others here in Obesityhelp that may help you.... also I just want to thank you for the awesome quote on your site... it is sooooo true!! "Am I half as much as I was or twice the person I used to be? " what a wonderful way to think! Deb

great stuff and fabulous profile. Look how far you have come! I am always curious as to what people attribute their success to...can you share? Was it your family support? MD? Support group? Changing behaviors? Commitment? Fear of co-morbidities cutting your life short? Fear of ever being fat again? Would love to hear from you about the changes you have made! Thanks for the reply. Karen