Question:
I am only 9 months out from bypass but have already lost 164 lbs

I want to know if I am ready for plastic surgery yet. I have lose 164 and now weigh 200 lbs. Have alot of skin to be removed. Am I ready to start the process yet. If I loose to much more weight will look terrible after they remove 25/30 lbs of skin. HELP    — lindaowens (posted on December 5, 2005)

December 5, 2005
Linda, It depends on your height really. There are a couple of things that you should take into consideration. If you are only 9 mo out the prospect of you loosing more weight is very great. You will loose for your first 2yrs. Most surgeons suggest that you wait at least that long. As far as 25 to 30 lbs of skin it may look like that much but skin weighs a lot less than you think all in all if you could get it all removed you might get 20lbs and thats pushing it. I was 375lbs the day of surgery and I am 4 yrs out. I have lots of skin and have counsulted with several plastic surgeons and every one of them told me that my expectations of all my skin being 20lbs was a little high. If I were you I woul wait untill you are 2 yrs post op at least. Because if you got Plastic surgery now and then lost more weight your skin would get saggy all over again and you would have waisted your money. Hope this helps. Your WLS friend Jo Michalko
   — Jo_Michalko

December 5, 2005
From what I have read on other posts about plastic surgery along with what was said above is that they also want to see you with a good exercise program in place. I haven't lost as much as you have but I started exercising and doing weight lifting as soon as I was able and things are toning up nicely. I was weeker than I thought but am now gaining muscle instead of fat.
   — 1968 Loser

December 5, 2005
Well your 2 yrs post op. You are more then ready for PS if you have all ready hit your goal weight. But 25/30 lbs of skin may be a little high estimate for the amount of skin you have. I lost about 235 lbs and only had about 12 lbs of skin removed.
   — emaniel

December 5, 2005
A really good plastic surgeon will tell you to maintain your weight loss for a least 1 year before surgery...Nancy
   — nefish

December 6, 2005
Most surgins won't enless you are 18 months out. Glen Haines P.S I'm 2 years out and lost 260 pounds. I'm starting to look at plastic surgury know.
   — glen

December 6, 2005
I lost my first 250 pounds by the end of my first year (which put me down to about 240-250) and then lost the balance of my weight over the next year. I didn't have my first reconstructive procedure until I had lost over 270 pounds (and then, it was to remove excess skin around my upper legs which followed vericose vein surgery). In the late fall, I had my pani removed which was done in conjunction with multiple hernia repair. From my legs, less than 2 pounds of excess skin was removed. From my pani, the excess skin weighed only about 2 1/2 pounds. I'm glad that I waited to be out and stabilized as my body shape has changed--- for instance, I have lost my bat wings and the skin on my arms doesn't look as bad as it once did. You will continue to lose and your body will continue to find new and different contours. I think it would be a mistake to have plastic work done now, unless you are close to a 25 BMI.
   — SteveColarossi

December 6, 2005
Linda, I just wanted to tell you that you very well could have a large amount of excess skin on your body right now. I know that a few of the responders said that they ended up having only a couple of pounds removed but my husband lost 180# with his RNY and when he had his panni the doctor took off 19#. The doctor had only estimated 9# originally when we asked at his pre-op office visit. I do not really think that you are ready for PS yet, you will still loose more weight. The doctor will want you at a stable weight unless you have such a large amount of skin that it is hindering your daily activities then s/he may consider it.
   — ChristineB

December 7, 2005
Wow! That is really good. I am at a year out, and have lost 150 pounfds, so you are way ahead of me! they say to wait until at least a year and a half after surgery or even to wait until your weight has been stable for six months, because otherwise you may need the plastic surgery again.
   — Novashannon