Question:
How long should I wait before consulting a plastic surgeon. I have HUGE bat wings!!!

I have about 6 inches of skin hanging down from my arms on both arms. I am three months post op and now am beginning to find it difficult to find clothing that fits.    — Dawn H. (posted on June 16, 2001)

June 16, 2001
Dawn: How well I understand. I was a legend in my support group for having the biggest bat wings! I started consults about 9 months after my DS surgery. It can take a while before you find a PS able and willing to work with insurance reimbursement. It took quite a bit of research before finding the PS who removed my bat wings and breast reduction at 14+ months post op. IMHO it is untrue that you have to wait some arbitrary amount of time after surgery. You and a PS can tell the difference between layers of skin and layers of fat. We tend to lose from the top down. My arms were definitely all hanging skin. A month later I had my abdominoplasty and 4 months later I was ready for my thighplasty. I'm ready for the rest of the total body lift (butt and outer thighs) but time constraints at a new job will not permit me to take off until the end of the year. You're probably not quite ready yet, but it doesn't hurt to start doing your plastic reconstructive research the same way you did your WLS research. In no time you will be ready. What's the worst thing that a PS can say -- "here's how I do it, and what I can do, but let's wait a few months to schedule the surgery." It can take that long to get insurance approval. Good luck. By the way, I don't miss the hanging skin any more than I miss the 175 lbs I lost!
   — Jill L.

June 16, 2001
I was told that I wouldn't be considered for plasstic surgery until I was about 220 pounds. I started at 494 and am now about 13 months post op and 324. Needless to say, my entire body is starting to look like a series of scrotal sacs and makes weird slapping noises whenever I walk, especially bad for the slapping and sucking sounds it makes when I am wet and walking, like from the shower to the bedroom. However, I kind of knew this would happen and am just going to grin and bear it until I lose the next 100 pounds. The plastic surgery should take off the last 40 or so from skin (I have a lot of belly, thigh, arm and calf drooping. My butt, interestingly enough may only need the stuff arounnd the top taken off.) Hope this helps. You are not alone...
   — merri B.