Question:
Anyone else been told they have too much skin to be removed?

I've lost 260 pounds in the last 18 months and I would like to get rid of the extra skin. I've now been told by three plastic surgeons that they never seen as much extra skin as I'm carrying on my legs. The last doc told me he didn't think there was anyone in the country who would attempt to remove it and I should just be proud of what I've accomplished and fix my arms and abdomen which he says are very doable. Has anyone else been told by a plastic surgeon that they've just got too much skin and that the job is just too daunting and complicated to be attempted? If so, how did you handle it? I am very proud of what I've accomplished and with jeans on you really can't tell how much extra skin there is, but I'd like to complete this weightloss journey if I can and I'm feeling like I've hit a squishy wall of loose skin. Thanks for any input.    — Traci H. (posted on February 8, 2003)

February 8, 2003
Hi Traci. Congratulations on your progress so far. Some patients do have serious problems that surgery cannot correct, but at least some improvement is usually possible. Health risks are other important reasons your surgeons may feel you are not a good candidate. Good Luck. J.L.
   — DrL

February 8, 2003
Traci, I know EXACTLY how you feel. Read my profile. I just went through 6 surgeries to remove excess skin after losing 230 pounds, and had 30 pounds of skin removed. I'll tell you who I picked and why: I sought a fresh out of school woman who was hungry for the challenge and needed the business. Fortunately, she is also a very good surgeon and was able to handle my complications, which included seromas and an infection. She consistently underestimated the length of time needed to do the surgery because of her lack of experience. For instance, she thought she could do my lower body lift in 8 hours. She was only able to do the inside of one leg and around my waist and had to schedule another surgery to do the inside of the other leg. Her suturing technique became more refined with each additional surgery. Because of the extensive length of incisions and amount of tissue removed and the post operative swelling, I had a couple of places that pulled apart and had to then "heal from the inside out". This was particularly true of the incision on either side of my labia where my thighs connect. She had no idea what she was getting into and there is no research that could have supported her, including articles on 'debulking' of lymphedema tissue. So, in my opinion, that makes her one of the more experienced people. I would say that the truth is that the doctors you have visited just don't want the long hours of suturing and don't want to do the job. But, keep looking. You will find a doctor with the compassion, heart and willingness to go that extra mile. I still cry tears of gratitude for how my doctor has helped me to look reasonably normal and given me function without the swinging and slapping of excess skin. Good Luck to you...
   — merri B.

February 8, 2003
WOW. 260#. That was where I started! Let me stand and applaud you here! There is an OSSG plastic list, but I don't have the link. Another place you might go to talk about this is the Grad list. Several have had legs done with mixed results. If you post, they will answer & someone will give you the PS link, too. Here's the Grad link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

February 8, 2003
Congrats on the weight loss you must be so proud! My surgeon does body lifts. He said that the reason he got into doing body lifts in addition to gastric bypass is because most plastic surgeons are not use to doing tummy tucks for people who have lost large amounts of weight. Most tummy tucks are done on women who had a baby and have a very small amount of skin. I'm not sure where you are located but Dr. Oliak is in Orange County California. He is awesome I would recommend him to anyone. He brought his technique with him from his previous group which was located in NJ. Have you asked your surgeon if he knows of any plastic surgeons that have experience with people who have large amounts of skin to be removed? I'm sure he has referred out before. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
   — feminine271