One Week after Plastics....

Glad it's going so well for you!

Waiting for the after pics! I know, not yet, but soon.....

Yay! So glad to hear a good update! Glad it's going really well... heal heal heal!

I was supposed to be doing plastics this Summer, but back surgery comes first - plus I need to figure out the "how to pay for it" side. I actually have a few ideas that don't include emptying my 401k LOL.

 

It can be tough.  I found a really good surgeon who is an awesome clinician as well.  His office actually looks like a doctors office - not a spa or hotel.  That was a good indicator for me that theres not a LOT of extra money going to worthless overhead on fine furniture and silk plants.  I also did a number of consults, but I let my feeling for who was the best surgeon interested in doing the best clinical and cosmetic work guide my decision.

Yeah, I did one consult already, just to see (he's guessing 10-15 pounds in JUST skin and some fat that's on that fat and won't come off unless I literally starve myself - LOL - on my body - crazy). He doesn't usually remove that much, but with our high level of weight loss, he does see it in those that start out SMO.

I have one guy that I definitely want to do a consult with. He works with my WLS surgeon (they share an office) and my surgeon actually usually is with him when he's working on their mutual patients. I know and trust Dr. Ganta and I kind of like the idea of being full circle like that. Hokey. BUT if I don't get a good feeling when I consult with him, I'll do a few more. I am thinking maybe over Christmas for a trunkplasty (or a LBL - not decided which will be best for me, my upper abdomen skin is pretty bad, but so is my butt).

Rambling. I blame the narcotics. But that's all on the back burner (ha, "back" burner) at the moment.

For me, My surgeon wouldn't do lower and upper at the same time.  The Abdomen and thighs were interfering a lot with my running.  So I did a full Lower Body Lift (7.5 lbs of skin there).  

That really highlighted how much skin  there was on my back.  I looked fine from the xiphisternal notch down, but looked like a star wars character from that point up.  The upper body actually tightened up the last lose skin just above my abdomen - so after a while I finally feel complete.

Oddly, you may have more options than I did being a female.  Few of the surgeons I consulted with could show me pictures of male clients.  They would say they could do men, but couldnt show me examples.  They could show me 300 pairs of ta-ta's but no mens chests.  Same for the lower parts as well - front or back.  

I did throw out a few surgeons after looking at the cosmetics of their work.  Really, frankensteins monster looked better put together.  

 

Finally, Dr. Fleming (who was on a short list provided by my bariatric surgeon), not only could show me examples of male patients who had my level of weight loss but also did a thorough clinical exam on our first meeting was my choice.  I was also impressed when during the consult we talked about what I wanted out of my plastics both functionally and cosmetically.  What was more important to me in each area - tight skin that would allow me to exercise or move free of any last bit of loose skin or no scars showing but maybe accepting some residual loose skin.  Thats why I have some scars that extend farther than most - you can see some scars on my legs when I wear shorts.   You will see some on my arms in short sleeve shirts.  I wanted the flab gone.  I even opted for the anchor cut abdominoplasty.  

I know you will be sure to think of all of those same things.  Be sure you have as detailed a conversation as you need to with all of the surgeons.  Don't let them give you a bums rush out the door.  Having those questions and discussions is important for you to get a good quote.  So much of the cost will be anesthesia and OR fees.  So he must give you a good estimate of how long the surgery will take.

All good info, thanks for sharing. Yeah, we can only do one or two things at a time (ab work is just one, although my breasts and arms might be able to be done in one, etc etc). Like I said, I've got a while. I wish there was a magic wand they could wave, but yeah... not so much. LOL

So glad your journey is coming to an end (well, the surgery part anyway! LOL)

Congrats on your new body. I agree high protein & lots of fluid and you heal better & faster. My docs are amazed at how fast I heal & It is the protein & water. I am 67 years old.
Get well soon. Thinking of you and miss you not posting much anymore. You are an inspiration to so many of us. Thanks.

I'm so jealous....  I'll be 61 next month.  Having the VSG next week.  By the time I'm at goal I'll need a full body lift.  (face to ankles), and I'll still be 61.   POOP :(     61 the new 41 ?, yeah right......

So glad for a report cutie!! Glad things are going well. It's amazing to be able to see things!! Turns out I have a ricage, tummy (flatter now!!) and, well, other parts of my anatomy I haven't seen from above if you know what I mean, *BLUS*

Email to come I hope!! Gentle hugs!