hernia/ps surgery in c'ville

hey guys, My husband had surgery in charlottesville last july. He's lost 150 pounds but is still over 300 lbs. He has a large hernia that the surgeon wants to repair in July as well as do some plastics. I'm afraid the plastic surgeon can't/won't really do much because his stomach is the last place he's losing from (this is the place he carried most of the weight). Has anyone else had this experience? Does anyone know if they'll do a panni with still so much to remove/lose? My husband says I'm being pessimistic. Thanks in advance Brandi

I hope someone answers this Ive lost 170 pounds and all my weight was in my belly I have what looks like a spare tire around me now. The last I seen Dr he told me I had at this point 30 pounds of loose skin. Id like to have it removed it is a bother in everyday living and the drs also think the pull it has is the cause of alot of my back issues so this would be good if I could go in an remove it now ans loose later more an go back. Best of luck to your hubby.

Congratulations on your substantial weight loss! And good luck on future ps and weight loss.

Brandi G, I'm a plastic surgeon in northern virginia actively involved with treating post bariatric surgery patients. The situation you describe is not unusual particularly for men. They tend to carry more of their weight around the middle. While it is preferable to perform the hernia repair with the other abdominal surgery, it may be better to seperate the procedures. If the hernia a symptomatic and causing pain, this can be repaired as an isolated procedure waiting for your husband to lose more weight before proceeding with his body contouring procedure. I think the most important factor to consider when timing the body contouring surgery is when his weight has stabilized. If his weight has stabilized but is still higher than where he would like it to be you may just have to accept that as his new weight set point. Depending upon the type of weight loss procedure he had done, patients will lose on average 40-65% of excess body weight. He may have to alter his expectations but most patients will still see significant improvement even with some persistant extra weight. If he is able to lose additional weight, delay the body contouring surgery until he has leveled off. Good luck to you both Mitchel Krieger, MD, FACS www.virginiaplasticsurgery.com

Thanks for your response Dr. Krieger. This is the answer I kind of expected and was shocked when my husband said they wanted to do ps so soon. He is still consistently losing and has yet to plateau. The hernia is not causing pain but difficulty with coughing (and with it still being cough and cold/flu season that has been a lot) and it is quite uncomfortable for him unless he can hold his stomach while doing so (difficult while driving, etc). Thanks again and I appreciate the information you provided.

Dr Kreiger, you don't know me but I have admired your work for well over a year! I am one year out but not stable enough yet but when I am ready for plastics I am definitely coming to see YOU. You have done such great work on some of my friends, Roberta McRhea, Diane O'Dowd, Karen Showalter - to name but a few! - and on Monday you are doing work on Donna Howard (take good care of her!) We have a support group that meets every third Saturday of the month and have lots of "show and tell" of your wonderful bottom body lifts lol! So many of us have seen your work first hand. I can't wait until it is my turn!! Jackie

Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to meeting you. Mitchel Krieger, MD,FACS