Question:
Is Plastic surgery a definite?
Does everyone who has WLS need Plastic Surgery? One of the concerns I have is having just ONE surgery, and having another really frightens me. Also, does insurance cover this? Do you just need the tummy tuck? Or do you have to have the arms and neck and thighs done also? Are there considered all different surgeries? Doesn't the skin go back on it's own? Well, this was definitely more that one question. Thanks. — KATHLEEN H. (posted on August 28, 2001)
August 28, 2001
I think that having plastic surgery depends on the person and who is paying
for it. I think that if you are young and your skin is more elastic, and
you are good about exercising, you may not need plastic surgery. If, on
the other hand, you're a little more "mature" (shall we say),
your skin is less elastic and less likely to bounce back after being
stretched out from covering all the extra flesh. If you've lost a lot of
weight, and your panniculus (the "apron") is rubbing against your
body and has a terrible rash or fungus, it probably is covered by
insurance. Otherwise, it's "plastic surgery" and won't be
covered by insurance, and it's fairly costly. Every different procedure
that you asked about *could* be considered a separate surgery, and could be
done separately. You could have them done several at a time, although you
would be in pretty drastic pain afterwards, from everything I hear about
plastic surgery. I would tend to think that one surgery at a time is
plenty to deal with!
Hope this answers some of your questions.
— Marjorie B.
August 28, 2001
Hi -- I'm sure there are many factors (including age) that factor into
one's need for plastic surgery as a post-op. I think the rate of loss is
one major factor. I haven't lost as fast as others but I can say that my
skin has 'bounced back' so to speak and I don't think I'll require any
plastic surgery (yeah, the breasts aren't bouncy - but I don't think they
would be at age 36 and after two kids even if I never were fat). I am in
my 30's and had a starting bmi of 45. I've lost a little over 80 lbs in
six months post-op and have about 60 more to go. I think if I had lost at
a much faster rate there *may have* been more 'loose skin' to deal with.
All the best, (lap ds with gallbladder removal, January 25, 2001),
— Teresa N.
August 28, 2001
Hi, Kathleen. I personally am about 3.5 months post-op and have lost about
82 lbs. (about 100 more to go) and I know that I will need a tummy tuck (or
rather, would like one!). But it varies with the person: where you carry
your weight, if you do some tone-up exercises, etc. Almost all of my weight
is in my abdomen, which is why I know I will have lots of excess skin
there. But, think of it THIS way, if you feel the need for cosmetic surgery
afterward, there's no huge rush and it should be based on what you're
comfortable with. Plus, of course, you'll DEFINITELY look quite a bit
better than when you were "filling out" all that excess skin!
Good luck!--Mary Ellen
— Mary Ellen W.
August 29, 2001
Not everyone needs plastic surgery, tummy tucks, etc. I don't need it.
Sure, I could get it to really look a whole lot better, but I don't need
it. I look fine in jeans but I'd never wear thin, clingy pants or shorts
(but, I wouldn't wear that anyway). I tend to wear 3/4 length sleeves but
I can get by with shorter sleeves if I really want to. I was 45 when I had
the surgery.
— Cindy H.
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