Question:
When is a good time to start the plastic surgery process?

Hello everyone. I was wondering...when should I start the research/approval etc... process of the plastic surgery. I am 7 months post-op, down 120 pounds and in desperate need of some lifts and/or tucks! My inner thighs look awful, my "panni" looks like pizza dough, and my under-arms are, well...not good. (but those can wait). Should I start consulting with a plastic surgeon? I figured I should since the approval process might take forever. Thanks. (open RNY 6/6/02....down 120 lbs.)    — Kelly C. (posted on January 8, 2003)

January 8, 2003
Hi Kelly, I am 6 months post-op and down 104 lbs. However, I want to lose another 35 lbs. and maintain that before checking into plastic surgery. From things I've read here and from comments at my support group meetings, most people (including doctors) recommend waiting until you are at goal for about 6 months. Good Luck to you! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -104lbs.
   — Anna L.

January 8, 2003
When you get about 30 pounds from goal, start interviewing plastic surgeons. Once you decide on one, then start the insurance process. By that time, you'll be ready weight wise to have the surgery.
   — Patty H.

January 8, 2003
Our surgeon tells his patients to wait until they are 18 months post-op before pursuing plastic surgery. That gives you time to achieve your optimal benefit and weight loss from the surgery itself, and also allows your body to completely stabilize and recover from one major surgery before you put it through another. I found that those last six months of that 18 month wait was the hardest. I felt like a Shar-pei...all wrinkles. However, the wait was worth it. I would not have wanted to jump into plastic surgery prematurely, only to have lost more weight and then be dissatisfied with the plastic surgery results. Patience is a virtue is this situation :-) Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

January 8, 2003
I agree with Diana that 18 months is a good time frame to wait to have another surgery. Your body needs time to adjust from one major surgery, and an incredible weight loss before you put it through more trauma. Also, doctors suggest that you let your weight stablilize and be within 20 pounds of goal before you have the surgery. There are quite a few post-ops on here that lost all their weight quickly and had plastics at the 1 year mark or so, but most doctors suggest 18 months.
   — Cindy R.

January 9, 2003
Considering that you have another 50 to 70 pounds to your goal weight, I'd think waiting would be a good idea. How depressing it would be to have the surgery and then lose 50 pounds and end up saggy again after all that. Excellent weight-loss by the way! Congrats!
   — [Deactivated Member]