Information and suggestions

Hi! I am starting to think about a TT or panni and am wondering about doctors.  Firstly, I recently had some minor hand surgery and used a Dr. Merritt in Richmond.  He is a plastics surgeon and said he does this surgery and has done many.  He is an older doctor and I really liked him personally.  Has anyone out there used him or know anything about him?  Also, I have been stuck at the same weight for many months, 168 and don't know if I will lose any more or not.  I started at 270 and at this point have a good bit of hanging skin with some fat still attached.  Do you think I have lost enough to go ahead with this surgery?  Or should I wait longer? Thanks for the advice. Lorraine

Hi Lorraine - there are a few here who have had reconstructive surgery so they will be able to shed a great deal of light on the subject for ya. I am in the process now so I am unable to speak about a personal experience at this time. I do hope that you get some great feedback. All best....

Lorraine ,  I am almost 4 years post op WLS and this Friday will be my 3rd round of plastics . In my honest opinion . If you are not happy with your weight , DO NOT HAVE THE PLASTICS . Imagine if you will , that you have the TT now . Then you go on to loose 20 more pounds . Trust me I know too many that wish they had of lost the weight , and are now looking at revisions for their TT paid for again out of their pocket . Now some people really do need that extra taken off before goal as it is just too much to take care of and is medically necessary .. or they are having back troubles from the already weighted down Panni . In that case the premature TT is worth it . But if you ever plan on loosing those other pounds , I would highly suggest to get back on track and get off the weight and then have the surgery .  So many rush into plastics before they hit goal and are so upset of their choice due to the asthetics of it all .  But like I said as well .. if you are happy and feel good in your body at your weight , by all means GO FOR IT !!  Best wishes on what ever your decision may be   Natalie

I wish I knew what your BMI was at this point.  I had to come to the realization that at a BMI of 32 that i was never going to reach my original goal of a normal BMI.  I was just not going to make the effort.  Some people with great effort can reach a low BMI.   I decided to go for a plastic surgery consult and recently had a lower body lift by Dr. Krieger in Fairfax.  He came highly recommended and I am very pleased with his work and manner.  I have pictures on my profile.  Two things about my pictures.  One is they don't do my tummy justice, I am much less swollen now.  Two, the area above my tummy is shaped big.  It is not fat or skin.  It is my anatomy.  He discussed this with me pre-op and told me yesterday that he has had 3 or 4 other patients built like this. Only you can decide if you will lose more weight and if you lose more weight at a later date will you ever be tiny.  Do some thinking, discuss this with your plastic surgeon.  I wish you all good things.  Feel free to PM.  Loris

I meant to say that some people with great effort cannot reach a low BMI.  Loris