What would you like to ask a plastic surgeon about body contouring after bariatric surgery?

1,  Is it cheaper for a tummy tuck if the WLS patient has minimal belly fat left, or does it matter assuming the BMI is under 25?

2.  What can a patient do to minimize the costs associated with PS procedures?

3.  Is there a clearinghouse of some sort we can look up recommendations of surgeons that are local to us?

 

How long after goal is reached would they recommend having plastic surgery? I see some people that have it right away and some that wait a year or 2.

Do they remove excess skin and any remaining fat or just skin? What's the difference? Is there a cost difference.

Which areas of the body are less/more painful and is surgery easier/more difficult to recover from. I've heard that getting the excess skin removed from your arms is the most painful and recovery can last 3 months. I have no idea if this is accurate.

Not all plastic surgeons are created equal. How do you find one that excels at all the areas you need. For example, a plastic surgeon may excel at tummy tucks but hasn't done many arms. Where can you find out about their experience? Also, what questions should you ask them during your initial consultation? What should you know?

Didn't you already have plastic surgery?  I read about it on the Plastics forum.  Some people cannot afford plastics.

Link please?

The link to the discussion where you discuss the ways to save money. P.S. Cannot be everyone's journey due to cost. Also, why are you interviewing surgeons after you had surgery? Isn't it wise to ask them questions before?

She is pretty specific in why she is asking for our questions and what she is doing it for.  Yes, she had surgery.  She is preparing questions to ask a PS surgeon to write an article for WLS patients to read over after they have attained or are close to their goals.  Information for those who may not know what PS options are available to them.  I have not had my WLS yet and am already researching PS for after.  This is good info to have.

I disagree with you when you say money is only one barrier. That's like saying you bought a Rolls Royce, and now your life journey is complete. And - if the rest of us also want a complete and fullfilling life experience - just as you have had - then we should all run right out to purchase our own Rolls Royces, too. I think I would have less of an issue with your statements about "completing the journey" if you used language that was "I" focused, and not make assumptions, or assume money is an easy barrier to hurdle. I would not have been blessed with WLS if insurance had not paid. And, I would get plastics in a New York second if I had money.

Anyhow, getting back on track, some questions I have been wondering.

1.  Is liposuction a part of the process when there are excess pockets of fat in the skin or is it just cut off?

2.  Is is recommended to get EVERYTHING done at once?  Or in stages allowing the body to rest and heal in between.  Is it cheaper to have it all done at once?  Probably is I'm guessing.

3. IS the process for helping a bariatric patient lose excess skin different than someone wanting say, a tummy tuck from having a few kids?  Do you need a specialized surgeon to handle your WLS skin issues?

Andi, you asked the questions that I was wondering about, thank you

I can't wait for your link, thanks for doing this for us.