Question:
When & How to start looking for Lifts & tucks?

Hi! I'm 18 months out, down past my personal goal (almost 150 lbs lost). I'm currently a size 10/12 and thrilled with the whole WLS thing. However, I am flabby & flappy. I have tiny boobs (34C from a 44D) and wrinkly arms and thighs, my butt droops and I still have a tummy. BUT I'm perfectly healthy, with no rashes, no hernias, and absolutely no problems. Any chance insurance will update my skin to match my weight? Anyone know a doc that would do it in NW suburbs of Chicago? Thx! - CB (1/27/03 - 305/175(goal)/157(now!))    — CrystalBroj (posted on July 1, 2004)

July 1, 2004
I'm in the same situation here......a minor rash or two but in general, just flabby and flappy. I'll be interested in the answers you get and CONGRATS on your success.
   — scbabe

July 1, 2004
I think it's very hard to get reconstructive surgery covered unless you're having some medical issues, but I recently got an abdominiplasty covered. All they wanted were pictures that showed how large my apron was. My insurance records would have also reflected prescriptions they covered that I had filled for rashes, but I don't know if they ever looked for that. They did not cover the procedures that are really cosmetic (though necessary for my mental health), like the muscle-tightening portion of the tummy tuck, a little lipo, and the arms. I live in the Chicago area, and found a surgeon I'm very comfortable with, who is willing to work with insurance (many will not). His name is Dr. Jeffery (or is it Geoffery?) Fenner, and he works out of both Evanston Northwestern and Highland Park Hospitals. He has experience with people who have lost massive amounts of weight. I had seen him and another surgeon, and was much more impressed by Dr. Fenner's manner, and realistic expectations about the results he could achieve. I have my surgery on July 15, so I can't speak to results yet, but so far, I would recommend him. Best wishes.
   — Vespa R.

July 2, 2004
Had it all, and paid for it too. My situation was jsut like yous. Skin was just too darn big for my body. My advice is start saving now. It's all worth the $$. Wearing bikini undies is worth it :-) Boobs, arms, flat belly, nice thighs. It's all GOOD. Love my body now. In fact, although I work out a lot, I may have my TT revised and butt lifted because I've dropped more weight and want to get rid of the excess skin. Diane www.WeightlossSurgery.ws
   — DianeN

July 3, 2004
Hi. My recomamndation is to seek consultation from several surgeons as the approaches to combination procedures and pricing is highly variable. I would choose only surgeons certified by the american board of plastic surgery. Check www.ABMS.org or www.smartplasticsurgery.com for a listing of board certified plastic surgeons. Hopefully, your local support group will have some information for you too.
   — DrL