Question:
When is it TIME to seek plastic surgery?

I know everyone says to wait till your weight loss stabilizes. Im only asking because last night, when trying on jeans I was looking in the mirror and I can 'see' that my body should be in a smaller pair of pants - but there's alot of extra flab hanging on me that has to squeeze into the pants too. Im 6 months out and -86 lbs... I have 78 more to go to get to my goal weight - but Im wondering how much of this flab I have right now is something a surgeon can take care of for me NOW - as opposed to waiting till Im closer to goal.    — Valerie H. (posted on January 15, 2003)

January 15, 2003
You want to wait to have surgery until your closer to your goal weight. If you have it done too soon, once you lose the remaining weight, you'll have the same problem. You should wait until your within 20 pounds of your goal weight to have surgery. However, I would start interviewing plastic surgeons at about 35 pounds out.
   — Patty H.

January 15, 2003
Surgeons also suggest that you wait at least 18 months post-op in addition to being within 20 pounds of goal. This is to give your body time to recover from it's first major surgery and to let the weight loss settle where it is going to settle. Remember that even after the weight loss slows or stops our bodies continue to shift the weight for a while. If you have it too soon then subsequent weight loss could result in more flab.
   — Cindy R.