[BandedGal]

I have lost 150lbs, and am now moving forward with plastic surgery. I am one of the first to reach this point within the communities I usually post at. And am hoping that maybe some of you could help me out.

I am wondering what the pain is like (I have been told it is like c section pain, but I had my son naturally, so I have no idea what that feels like either, lol)

How long between first consult, and op (I am paying for this all out of my own pocket, so no insurance to battle) I know this can vary, but I am having nightmares of having to wait months!

How long does it take to feel human again?

And lastly - were you happy with your results?

Thanks!

[DocSanae]

We have one gal Heidi, who's had plastics in May, with weightloss about the same as you. Say, she's a kiwi, so she's not that far away from you!!
Here are a couple of her threads.
http://www.renewedreflections.com/fo...lk-non-op.html
http://www.renewedreflections.com/fo...idis-back.html

CraigT who hosts this site has also had plastics. Not to scare you, but he did say that it hurt more than the open RNY he had, because the incision goes all the way around, and he had everything done all at once, so he hurt all over...

[fr1endly2]

CONGRATULAIONS and welcome to the message boards here.
YOU have done wonderfully.
I am 143 lbs lost...
I am just personally mixed up about doing the plastics.
I guess im afraid and a big chicken!
LOOK forward to getting to know you thru your
posts.

[freebird]

i haven't had the surgery yet but have already decided that when the time comes if i need plastic surgery i will have it. i started out wanting the surgery for health reasons and shortly after realized how good it would feel to actually like my body so if plastics is what it will take for me i will do it. i am alittle afraid of the pain, but it will go away so i've decided i want to be able to wear a bikini and that probably means i'll need that tummy tuck so while i'm at it i might as well get other problem area's done
keep us posted

[droliver]

Pain after these procedures is in large part determined by how much (if any) the abdominal wall musculature is tightened. With heavier patients there is little benefit from this manuever as the results are more hidden.

I would strongly recomend purchasing one of the various Marcaine pain pumps (On-Q, I-flow, Stryker, stc..) which help tremendously in the first few days after surgery

Rob
plastic surgery 101

[Debs]

I had my RnY surgery December 30, 2002 (Happy New Year, huh!) and to date have lost 198 lbs. I lost all but the last 10 lbs within 18 months. After a number of post-op complications that did not rear their ugly head until nearly 3 yrs post op (I ended up with peritonitis and nearly died last year -- my pouch had not healed properly and stomach acids were leaking into my peritoneal cavity for nearly 30 months, I had a perforated bowel, multiple abcesses and adhesions, ulcers, hernias, etc.) All told, I'd do it again -- best decision I ever made.

Anyway, I have my plastic surgery consult next week. According to my insurance, plastic surgery is covered in cases to "restore to a normal state". Clearly, 20 lbs of excess skin around the middle and breasts down to my waist can hardly be classified as "normal state". I've had the infections, rashes, etc., and my PCP seems to think we ca get the ins to pay for it. We'll see.....I'm gonna fight for it!

[droliver]

Originally Posted by Debs

According to my insurance, plastic surgery is covered in cases to "restore to a normal state". Clearly, 20 lbs of excess skin around the middle and breasts down to my waist can hardly be classified as "normal state".

It can be very difficult to meet the carefully designed language of your policy. The language describing medical neccessity are often phrased in a way that really isn't relevent to the specific state most massive weight loss patients find themselves in.

For example- The sections re. the breast are worded very similar to breast reduction (where there is usually an arbitrary "floor" of 500 gm (1.1 lb) minimum resections specified). The majority of MWL patients do no have excess breast tissue but rather laxity & have no where near 500gm of tissue available for removal unless you essentially do a mastectomy.

[FemmeMode]

Deb....
Let us know how your consult goes....ok??

I'm still waiting to see those pictures.....are you gathering them to post??? LOL.

[Pillows]

Dr. Oliver, I am so glad that you are here. I am learning a lot from you about the plastics aspect and am impressed. Deb, good luck with everything being approved. I hope that they do approve you and if not that you can still find a reasonable way to finance the improvements to make you feel normal again.
janae

[fr1endly2]

Well im gonna chime in with a question for Dr. OLIVER.
PROBABLY the main reason im so not sure of the plastics
is the pain issue.
I read you recommend a pain pump to be used. IS that costly ?
and does insurance cover that?

thanks