plastic surgery

[Guest guest]

Kate,

Thanks so much for answering...I signed up for the group, spent about 2

hours and read every email. Your pics on the group files are great. Thanks so

much for putting them there for the rest of us to see. I can't believe he

took that much weight off you! You looked so small to me before surgery...but

what a knock-out after!!! Very encouraging! I started out at 284 and I'm 174

now.

May I ask you what you paid for the lower body lift?

I'm kind of betwix and between...I can have a breast lift, tummy tuck in

town for about 15K, with another 5K later for a thighplasty, At this point, I

don't have a clue what the same thing will cost in Seattle...but I will start

making calls tomorrow.

6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other!!

Sue

Yakima

In a message dated 11/19/2005 10:53:52 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

kate@... writes:

// Is there an group to chat about plastic surgery

options/questions in Washington?//

Yes, but not just WA. (Although I think quite a few of us are in WA)

bandsterplasticsurgery/

//I'm looking into a breast lift/lower body lift.

Is anyone familiar with Dr. Gavin Dry who works out of Evergreen

Hospital in Everett?//

Dr. Dry did my lower body lift at Evergreen in Kirland. You can see

pics at the bandsterplasticsurgery group.

I have been very pleased with his work.

I plan to have him do a few things for my face this summer as well.

The Lower Body Lift wasn't an easy recovery for me, but he's doing a

few things differently now and one of his more recent patients came to

a PS support group at Evergreen Hospital less than 2 weeks out from

her surgery. (I wouldn't have been up to it.)

//How about Dr. Partington? Any help or references...good or

bad...would be appreciated.//

Dr. Partington wasn't doing LBLs when I was shopping around.

//

Also...what's the difference between getting a tummy tuck/thighplasty

and a lower body lift? //

It's my understanding that the Lower Body Lift removes a lot more

tissue and of course the behind get raised too, but it's a good

question to discuss with the surgeon.

It's good to find out what they would recommend for You.

//Is there much benefit to your thighs by getting a

> tummytuck? I'm told that just a tummy tuck will help a little with

the thighs.//

I had extensive liposuction of the outer thighs w/ my lower body lift.

(Can we say Thunder?) Dr. Dry removed 18 lbs of tissue during my

procedure. That weight loss put me at goal...well close enough.:-)

//One more thing! I've heard some people say that you should get the

plastic surgery done when you're about 20 pounds from goal...others

have said that you should be at goal. Any input?//

My weight had been stable at 20-23 lbs above goal for probably 5-6

months and I wasn't working that summer, so I just decided to go for

it. I had the luxury of not needing to go back to work til Sept.

You can email me if you have any other questions:

Kate

kate@...

Lapband Dr. Kuri 6/02

LBL Dr. Dry 6/04

Inner Thigh Lift/ Scar revision Dr. Dry 12/04

234/138/134

------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

Is anyone familiar with Dr. Gavin Dry who works out of Evergreen Hospital in

Everett? How about Dr. Partington? Any help or references...good or

bad...would be appreciated.

I work at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and work with both of these surgeons.

They are both very talented surgeons and both do true LBL's. Some surgeons will

tell you they do LBL's when they are actually doing a belt lipectomy. If I were

looking to have the surgery I would go see both of them and see which one is a

better fit for you. Like Kate, Dr. Dry did my LBL. I was the patient she told

you about that showed up at the support group at 2 weeks post op. I am now at 10

weeks and thrilled with my outcome. If you live close enough we have a support

group for plastics that meet once a month at Evergreen. The next one is next

Tuesday (12/6) at 6pm. This is a great place to go when considering the surgery.

You can talk to a lot of patients that have already had the surgery and get

honest opinions from them. Dr. Dry is also giving a talk to both the lap band

and bypass support groups on Tuesday the 13th of December at 7pm about all the

different procedures that can be done. There will also be a panel of patients

there for you to talk to. One of the reps I work with is also providing dinner.

Also...what's the difference between getting a tummy tuck/thighplasty and a

lower body lift? Is there much benefit to your thighs by getting a tummytuck?

I'm told that just a tummy tuck will help a little with the thighs.

A tummy tuck deals with your abdomen only. A thighplasty depends on whether they

are doing both inner and outer thighs or just one or the other. But it would be

somewhat similar to the LBL but not as extensive. With a LBL you get a

circumferential incision, tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, buttock lift, and

extensive liposuctioning of inner/outer thighs, back, and abdomen. Dr. Dry

removed 15lbs of skin and fat with mine. I went from a size 10 to a size 6. It

is truly amazing!

One more thing! I've heard some people say that you should get the plastic

surgery done when you're about 20 pounds from goal...others have said that you

should be at goal. Any input?

This is very surgeon specific. Both Dr. Partington and Dr. Dry told me they like

to see your weight stable for a while. There is really no magic number. But

between 10-20 pounds are an average removal of tissue for these procedures. But

if you are having a tough time with the last few pounds as I was, this surgery

not only removes excess tissue but Dr. Dry says it kind of jump starts your

weight loss again. This stood true for me. I have lost almost 30 pounds since my

surgery in September and am finally at goal.

Hope this helps and good luck with your research - if you like to email me if

you have any questions,

Kathy

kathy.ross@...

Lap Band - Dr. Clinch - 3/2004 - -90lbs

LBL - Dr. Dry - 9/2005 - -30lbs

255/165 - before LBL/135 - now

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

First of all, congrats on you phenomenal success! You must be having a

ball! I've actually decided to stay with a local doc who is an awesome plastic

surgeon. Breast lift with full TT w/muscle repair and lipo to inner and outer

thighs for $14,760. I'll follow in 3 months with a thighplasty for $5,000

more. I wish I was getting a full meal deal, but I just can't justify the

extra cost...I wish I would have read your message before I committed, cuz I

may have reconsidered! This way, I figure I may not have as good a result, but

it's almost like getting the breast lift for free...all's I'll be missing is

the butt lift portion..and I can always get that done later.

I'm on my way out the door, but I wanted to thank you so much for taking the

time to respond.

Take care!]

Sue

a tn a message dated 12/1/2005 9:21:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

kathy.ross@... writes:

Hi Sue,tt

Is anyone familiar with Dr. Gavin Dry who works out of Evergreen Hospital

in Everett? How about Dr. Partington? Any help or references...good or

bad...would be appreciated.

I work at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and work with both of these

surgeons. They are both very talented surgeons and both do true LBL's. Some

surgeons

will tell you they do LBL's when they are actually doing a belt lipectomy.

If I were looking to have the surgery I would go see both of them and see

which one is a better fit for you. Like Kate, Dr. Dry did my LBL. I was the

patient she told you about that showed up at the support group at 2 weeks post

op.

I am now at 10 weeks and thrilled with my outcome. If you live close enough

we have a support group for plastics that meet once a month at Evergreen. The

next one is next Tuesday (12/6) at 6pm. This is a great place to go when

considering the surgery. You can talk to a lot of patients that have already

had

the surgery and get honest opinions from them. Dr. Dry is also giving a talk

to both the lap band and bypass support groups on Tuesday the 13th of

December at 7pm about all the different procedures that can be done. There will

also be a panel of patients there for you to talk to. One of the reps I work

with is also providing dinner.

Also...what's the difference between getting a tummy tuck/thighplasty and a

lower body lift? Is there much benefit to your thighs by getting a

tummytuck? I'm told that just a tummy tuck will help a little with the thighs.

A tummy tuck deals with your abdomen only. A thighplasty depends on whether

they are doing both inner and outer thighs or just one or the other. But it

would be somewhat similar to the LBL but not as extensive. With a LBL you get

a circumferential incision, tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, buttock lift, and

extensive liposuctioning of inner/outer thighs, back, and abdomen. Dr. Dry

removed 15lbs of skin and fat with mine. I went from a size 10 to a size 6. It

is truly amazing!

One more thing! I've heard some people say that you should get the plastic

surgery done when you're about 20 pounds from goal...others have said that

you should be at goal. Any input?

This is very surgeon specific. Both Dr. Partington and Dr. Dry told me they

like to see your weight stable for a while. There is really no magic number.

But between 10-20 pounds are an average removal of tissue for these

procedures. But if you are having a tough time with the last few pounds as I

was, this

surgery not only removes excess tissue but Dr. Dry says it kind of jump

starts your weight loss again. This stood true for me. I have lost almost 30

pounds since my surgery in September and am finally at goal.

Hope this helps and good luck with your research - if you like to email me

if you have any questions,

Kathy

kathy.ross@...

Lap Band - Dr. Clinch - 3/2004 - -90lbs

LBL - Dr. Dry - 9/2005 - -30lbs

255/165 - before LBL/135 - now

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Good luck and I'm sure you will have a wonderful result. Have fun with the new

bod!!!

Kathy

-------------- Original message --------------

>

> Kathy,

>

> First of all, congrats on you phenomenal success! You must be having a

> ball! I've actually decided to stay with a local doc who is an awesome plastic

> surgeon. Breast lift with full TT w/muscle repair and lipo to inner and outer

> thighs for $14,760. I'll follow in 3 months with a thighplasty for $5,000

> more. I wish I was getting a full meal deal, but I just can't justify the

> extra cost...I wish I would have read your message before I committed, cuz I

> may have reconsidered! This way, I figure I may not have as good a result, but

> it's almost like getting the breast lift for free...all's I'll be missing is

> the butt lift portion..and I can always get that done later.

>

> I'm on my way out the door, but I wanted to thank you so much for taking the

> time to respond.

>

> Take care!]

> Sue

>

> a tn a message dated 12/1/2005 9:21:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

> kathy.ross@... writes:

>

> Hi Sue,tt

>

> Is anyone familiar with Dr. Gavin Dry who works out of Evergreen Hospital

> in Everett? How about Dr. Partington? Any help or references...good or

> bad...would be appreciated.

> I work at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and work with both of these

> surgeons. They are both very talented surgeons and both do true LBL's. Some

> surgeons

> will tell you they do LBL's when they are actually doing a belt lipectomy.

> If I were looking to have the surgery I would go see both of them and see

> which one is a better fit for you. Like Kate, Dr. Dry did my LBL. I was the

> patient she told you about that showed up at the support group at 2 weeks post

> op.

> I am now at 10 weeks and thrilled with my outcome. If you live close enough

> we have a support group for plastics that meet once a month at Evergreen. The

> next one is next Tuesday (12/6) at 6pm. This is a great place to go when

> considering the surgery. You can talk to a lot of patients that have already

> had

> the surgery and get honest opinions from them. Dr. Dry is also giving a talk

> to both the lap band and bypass support groups on Tuesday the 13th of

> December at 7pm about all the different procedures that can be done. There

will

> also be a panel of patients there for you to talk to. One of the reps I work

> with is also providing dinner.

>

> Also...what's the difference between getting a tummy tuck/thighplasty and a

> lower body lift? Is there much benefit to your thighs by getting a

> tummytuck? I'm told that just a tummy tuck will help a little with the thighs.

> A tummy tuck deals with your abdomen only. A thighplasty depends on whether

> they are doing both inner and outer thighs or just one or the other. But it

> would be somewhat similar to the LBL but not as extensive. With a LBL you get

> a circumferential incision, tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, buttock lift, and

> extensive liposuctioning of inner/outer thighs, back, and abdomen. Dr. Dry

> removed 15lbs of skin and fat with mine. I went from a size 10 to a size 6. It

> is truly amazing!

>

> One more thing! I've heard some people say that you should get the plastic

> surgery done when you're about 20 pounds from goal...others have said that

> you should be at goal. Any input?

> This is very surgeon specific. Both Dr. Partington and Dr. Dry told me they

> like to see your weight stable for a while. There is really no magic number.

> But between 10-20 pounds are an average removal of tissue for these

> procedures. But if you are having a tough time with the last few pounds as I

> was, this

> surgery not only removes excess tissue but Dr. Dry says it kind of jump

> starts your weight loss again. This stood true for me. I have lost almost 30

> pounds since my surgery in September and am finally at goal.

>

> Hope this helps and good luck with your research - if you like to email me

> if you have any questions,

> Kathy

> kathy.ross@...

> Lap Band - Dr. Clinch - 3/2004 - -90lbs

> LBL - Dr. Dry - 9/2005 - -30lbs

> 255/165 - before LBL/135 - now

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was just reading my emails and came across this one has ANYONE gotten any

insurences to pay for a skin removal done to take off some extra skin on the

lower part of your stomache??? listen to this.....i have insurence but not good

insurence i'm an extreme large person i've lost 125lbs after having my gastric

banding done, also i have Lymphodemia/cellulitus in my one leg which the apron

is causing circulation issues any how my primary dr says i need to have skin

removed my wwls says i should loose more weight and i seen two plastic sergeans

on says you neeed this very very bad and i also have the LE now in my belly,

but the town i live in isnt equipted for someone my size to have

this..........the other dr says ohhhh you need to loose about 200 more lbs can

you believe this????? im not sure what to do i cant excersize much when i do my

leg swells 2xs its normal size, if i walk on my leg it hurts my apron is sagging

clear down to my knees anyone have this same

problem???? ant suggestions what to do??? thanks for listening

" Jessie H. Ahroni " <jahroni@...> wrote:

Debbie: Dr. Marshall Partington in Redmond performed my plastic surgery and

the plastic surgery of many bandsters. I would highly recommend him.

[Guest guest]

I was reading the success stories(obesityhelp.com) and even though it was a RNY

that this person had she got her tummy tuck covered by insurance so I kept her

personal page. On the bottom of her page she has a copy of the insurance letter

she wrote to get it covered. Figured it was worth a shot:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=E1076418345 & NoSta\

tic=1

Good luck,

Miriam

tanya hunt <tootie4157@...> wrote:

Hi,

I was just reading my emails and came across this one has ANYONE gotten any

insurences to pay for a skin removal done to take off some extra skin on the

lower part of your stomache??? listen to this.....i have insurence but not good

insurence i'm an extreme large person i've lost 125lbs after having my gastric

banding done, also i have Lymphodemia/cellulitus in my one leg which the apron

is causing circulation issues any how my primary dr says i need to have skin

removed my wwls says i should loose more weight and i seen two plastic sergeans

on says you neeed this very very bad and i also have the LE now in my belly,

but the town i live in isnt equipted for someone my size to have

this..........the other dr says ohhhh you need to loose about 200 more lbs can

you believe this????? im not sure what to do i cant excersize much when i do my

leg swells 2xs its normal size, if i walk on my leg it hurts my apron is sagging

clear down to my knees anyone have this same

problem???? ant suggestions what to do??? thanks for listening

" Jessie H. Ahroni " <jahroni@...> wrote:

Debbie: Dr. Marshall Partington in Redmond performed my plastic surgery and

the plastic surgery of many bandsters. I would highly recommend him.

[Guest guest]

Most of the people I know that have had the surgery rely on exercise and toning to try and control the sag effect. If you are lucky enough to get it covered the surgery then you have to pay for the plastic surgery. A dear friend of the family that had it is now dealing with leg issues do to the excess skin because she did not follow program and tone. Unfortunately she is learning to live with it because the finances are not there for surgery.

NH... Mom to Abby Liz 10/94 Anne 7/99

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Jase4567@...

> A dear friend of the family that had it is now dealing with leg issues do

> to the excess skin because she did not follow program and tone.

You can't tone skin. You can build muscle under the skin which might help a

little but most people who lose 100+ pounds are going to have lots of excess

skin regardless of how they lost the weight. Being younger helps since the

skin is more elastic.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Extra skin is one of the reasons I have a hard time wanting to lose weight. I don't have it now, but if I lose a lot of weight I probably will. Won't I look just awful with all that lose skin? Would it be better to remain fat? There is no way I could afford to pay for plastic surgery. I have a fear of looking worse then I do now. Wouldn't people stare at me more? This is just one of the many things that keeps me from wanting to lose the weight. from MO.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From:

> Won't I look just awful with all that lose skin?

Most people don't look all that great carrying around 100+ extra pounds.

> Would it be better to remain fat?

Extra fat is unhealthy and can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and

other nasty things. Extra skin is annoying but not unhealthy.

> I have a fear of looking worse then I do now. Wouldn't people stare at

> me more?

You should see the women at my WLS support group. They look fantastic.

Slim and healthy. Many of them wear short sleeves instead of sleeveless

tops to conceal their upper arms. They don't wear bikinis. They don't wear

short shorts. You would absolutely never know that these women were ever

overweight. I saw a woman at the water park who looked like a Sharpei puppy

in a bikini. It was awful. If she had worn a tank suit and shorts she

would have looked great.

Go to www.obesityhelp.com or any website that has before and after pictures

of people who have lost a lot of weight. You decide which pictures look

better.

People are generally much too self absorbed to stare at you. At 5'2 " and

285 I don't recall ever thinking that anyone was staring at me.

Don't put obstacles in front of yourself that don't matter be it fear of

extra skin, fear of tests, fear of whatever. Most of that is just the

anxiety talking and not reality.

Ann

[Guest guest]

> Extra skin is one of the reasons I have a hard time wanting to lose

weight. I don't have it now, but if I lose a lot of weight I probably

will. Won't I look just awful with all that lose skin? <

Don't take this the wrong way, ...I'm simply posting my old

thought process. I used to convince myself that developing excess

skin was a valid excuse to not lose weight. I had excuses about

everything, though. Um, let me think of a few of the 'good' ones. " I

don't have time to exercise " ; " I'm already exhausted at the end of the

day, I can't fit in a walk " ; " I have to eat every couple of hours or I

don't feel well " (well, duh, I was 'high' on sugar and caffiene...and

I didn't just snack, I ate full meal size portions several times a

day); " It's genetic and there's nothing I can do " ; " I don't have

enough money to buy healthy foods " ; " My bf/husband is unsupportive, he

brings home sweets " (he didn't force me to eat 'em!); " I don't have

the money to buy new clothes when I lose weight. " Oh my gosh, I

could go on and on.

Then, after the initial 'quick' weight loss I have on any plan, I'd

convince myself that " it wasn't working " and I'd give up. This just

occurred to me...you know what really helped me a lot? My thin

friends. Because one time a friend was out for a visit and after

having ice cream, she said, " Okay, let's go for a walk. " And I said,

" Um, why? It's raining. " " Because I just ate a Blizzard and if I

don't get some exercise, I'm not going to fit into my jeans tomorrow. "

I was shocked. She's practically skinny--and she wasn't kidding.

And the more I began to pay attention to stuff like that, ALL my thin

friends had similar philosophies about eating. None of them got

dessert every time we went out for girl's night...except me. Most of

them got salads for dinner, not the fried fish platter...except me.

ALL of them exercised regularly...except me. And when I started to

realize that, one of my biggest excuses ( " I can't help it, it's

genetic " ) got blown up right in front of me. I really thought I

couldn't lose weight because I'm not 'naturally' thin. I only have

one friend that is 'naturally' thin. She can eat anything, any time,

and stay the same. She doesn't exercise, and doesn't appear to have

to. But that's definitely the exception and not the rule. Once I

started listening, every other friend I have struggles to not gain

weight over the holidays. *shrugs* Just something to think about.

>Would it be better to remain fat? There is no way I could afford to

pay for plastic surgery. I have a fear of looking worse then I do

now. Wouldn't people stare at me more? This is just one of the many

things that keeps me from wanting to lose the weight.<

Only you can decide these things for yourself. Have you read " The

Seat of the Soul " , " Return to love " , or anything along those lines?

They talk about learning to make decisions based out of love, not

fear. They say that all decisions we make, we make out of fear or

love. And living your life in love, not fear, is more rewarding.

That being said, I am fearful of how I'll look once the weight is

lost, too. I'm working on that daily. It comes with the

self-acceptance territory. So instead instead of saying, " I'm afraid

of what I'll look like if I lose weight " , try thinking, " I love myself

enough to do what's best for my body. I will worry about what I'll

look like when the time comes. " And you know, slow and steady weight

loss reduces the chances and severity of excess skin, from what I've

seen. And exercise helps a lot, too.

-Bonnie

[Guest guest]

> You should see the women at my WLS support group. They look fantastic.

> Slim and healthy. Many of them wear short sleeves instead of

sleeveless

> tops to conceal their upper arms. They don't wear bikinis. They

don't wear

> short shorts. You would absolutely never know that these women were

ever

> overweight. I saw a woman at the water park who looked like a

Sharpei puppy

> in a bikini. It was awful. If she had worn a tank suit and shorts she

> would have looked great.

*nods* And don't forget--Walmart has great supportive briefs for the

abdominal area. I agree with everything you've pointed out, Ann.

I think modesty is the key when you have some skin problems

> Go to www.obesityhelp.com or any website that has before and after

pictures

> of people who have lost a lot of weight. You decide which pictures

look

> better.

Those photos are amazing!

> People are generally much too self absorbed to stare at you. At

5'2 " and

> 285 I don't recall ever thinking that anyone was staring at me.

*nods* I agree.

> Don't put obstacles in front of yourself

Sometimes I believe this is 95% of the problem...at least for me.

Thanks for posting that webiste--how inspiring!

-Bonnie

(I'll have hubby take a photo tomorrow so I can post a

before/after...might not get on 'til next weekend, though)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/20/06 11:35:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, maryannanderic@... writes:

You can't tone skin. You

That is what I meant to say exercise and add muscle.

NH... Mom to Abby Liz 10/94 Anne 7/99

[Guest guest]

Dont use that as a crutch to not lose. Just make sure you exercise when losing. Look at susan powter. It can be done.

NH... Mom to Abby Liz 10/94 Anne 7/99

[Guest guest]

Most people don't look all that great carrying around 100+ extra pounds. You are right! I don't look good carrying the 100+ extra pounds.Extra fat is unhealthy and can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and other nasty things. Extra skin is annoying but not unhealthy. You are right also that extra fat leads to diabetes. That is how I got dx'd with it. I think it a way I was just looking for an excuse to go back to my old ways of eating and not exercising. Just looking for an excuse to be fat and not care. Ya know? Thank you for the reality check. from MO.

[Guest guest]

Ann, Thank you for posting this site. It was encouraging to see the before and after pictures. Gives me hope that I can look good like they do too. I'm mean I don't have to be perfect right? It is more about being healthy and being able to do things again, but it doesn't hurt to look a lot better too. I put this site in my favorites to remind me every so often of what I am striving for. from MOGo to www.obesityhelp.com or any website that has before and after pictures

[Guest guest]

Don't take this the wrong way, ...I'm simply posting my oldthought process. I used to convince myself that developing excessskin was a valid excuse to not lose weight. I had excuses abouteverything, though. Um, let me think of a few of the 'good' ones. "Idon't have time to exercise"; "I'm already exhausted at the end of theday, I can't fit in a walk"; "I have to eat every couple of hours or Idon't feel well" (well, duh, I was 'high' on sugar and caffiene...andI didn't just snack, I ate full meal size portions several times aday); "It's genetic and there's nothing I can do"; "I don't haveenough money to buy healthy foods"; "My bf/husband is unsupportive, hebrings home sweets" (he didn't force me to eat 'em!); "I don't havethe money to buy new clothes when I lose weight." Oh my gosh, Icould go on and on. You are right. developing excess skin is only an excuse to not lose the weight. Do you ever find times when you just want to eat what ever you want, as much as you want and not exercise, and not worry about anything? I'm sorry to say that I have those feelings a lot. I know what I need to do, but some times I just want to be lazy and do whatever I want to do at the time. I am working on changing that.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From:

> Do you ever find times when you just want to eat what ever you want, as

> much as you want and not exercise, and not worry about anything?

Yes!!!! We all feel that way. No one wants to watch every bite they eat

and every step they take but we have to change our lifestyles if we want our

bodies to change. We have to find a balance that we can live with.

I just had tuna for dinner. I would have preferred something Italian and

smothered in cheese and sauce with a big piece of cheesecake for dessert.

That won't get me into a size 12 though.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Barb, the port almost always has to be moved with a tummy tuck. I'll

assume that you're having thr abdominal muscle tightened, as well as

just the excess skin removed...? It sure would be best to have your

band surgeon move the port, if the PS hasa not done so before. At the

very least, the PS needs to consult the band surgeon about this.

don't leave it to chance! Too impt an issue for that.

Wow, you're close to goal already? Fantastic! Good for you!! Sandy r

>

> Been banded since May 18 2005. I've had a few complications but

have

> been thrilled with the results. I'm a few lbs away from goal, and I

> have some severe back issues. I've an avid exerciser and walker,

and my

> tummy has so much antropy skin on it (what the plastic surgeon

called

> it) that I'm having surgery to remove it Oct. 16 at Stanford in CA.

Due

> to the back issues, insurance had no problem approving it.

>

> THis plastic surgeon has never done a band patient before. I'm

really

> hoping my bariatric surgeon will be there during the surgery.

Several

> issues came up on how to move the skin around without damaging the

> port, and also how much fill to remove in case of any stomach fluid

> coming up if the band is too tight, etc.

>

> Anybody out there have skin removed since banded? Am interested in

any

> experience.

>

> Barb McGraw

>

[Guest guest]

Both Dan and I chose Mexican surgeons for our band surgery, so we have

experience with both local and distant care.

AS far as plastic surgery, which is a very big procedure, it is not the doctor

or the facility we were questioning. It is the INABILITY to receive the needed

followup care after we go home. It doesn't matter how good the doctor or

facility are if we cannot get needed followup care - drains removed weeks later,

infections treated, sutures removed, etc.

I certainly agree that we all need to do good research, and think carefully of

all these types of things.

Sandy r

>

> I think that regardless of where you have surgery, you need to exercise due

diligence and research your doctor and the facility you are considering.  To

dismiss any doctor or facility solely based on where they are located is wrong. 

There are many good and bad facilities both inside the USA and outside the

USA--can you say Priscilla Presley?

>

> Each person must exercise personal responsibility for their own health care

and not just leave it to someone else.

>

> Ellis

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Since I had my lap band surgery in Mexico I am well aware of the risks and the

difficulties posed by having a surgeon that is so far away and basically

inaccessible to me.  I would not do that again.  As A nurse that works on a

surgical floor  not only have I seen my share of botched operations, but I am

also aware of a very good surgeon.  But, I will still be researching very

carefully before I have my surgery, and like I said, it's long way off, I have

to earn some money first:)

From: moonshadow.sandy <moonshadow.sandy@...>

Subject: Re: plastic surgery

Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 8:23 AM

 

Both Dan and I chose Mexican surgeons for our band surgery, so

we have experience with both local and distant care.

AS far as plastic surgery, which is a very big procedure, it is not the doctor

or the facility we were questioning. It is the INABILITY to receive the needed

followup care after we go home. It doesn't matter how good the doctor or

facility are if we cannot get needed followup care - drains removed weeks later,

infections treated, sutures removed, etc.

I certainly agree that we all need to do good research, and think carefully of

all these types of things.

Sandy r

>

> I think that regardless of where you have surgery, you need to exercise due

diligence and research your doctor and the facility you are considering.  To

dismiss any doctor or facility solely based on where they are located is wrong. 

There are many good and bad facilities both inside the USA and outside the

USA--can you say Priscilla Presley?

>

> Each person must exercise personal responsibility for their own health care

and not just leave it to someone else.

>

> Ellis

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Friday, July 17, 2009, 9:23:47 AM, you wrote:

> Both Dan and I chose Mexican surgeons for our band surgery, so we

> have experience with both local and distant care.

Right.

> AS far as plastic surgery, which is a very big procedure, it is not

> the doctor or the facility we were questioning. It is the INABILITY

> to receive the needed followup care after we go home. It doesn't

> matter how good the doctor or facility are if we cannot get needed

> followup care - drains removed weeks later, infections treated, sutures

removed, etc.

With my PS (see links below if you want) I would have been in deep

stuff if I'd gone to MX, since my problems didn't really surface until

I would have been back (over two weeks). And my condition would not

have allowed me to return (a seroma/hematoma containing over a liter

of fluid). I would have had very big US expenses, where the problems

were handled at no extra charge by the doc who did it.

On deciding to do it locally, for many reasons, including the cost

being almost identical locally (when tying in the costs of travel,

hotels, etc), I had consults with four surgeons. It took a total of

100 bucks in fees (one 50, two 25, one free), and was well worth it.

The price range was almost 3000 bucks from low to high, and I chose

one in the middle. The highest price one NEVER EVEN TOUCHED ME. He

had me take off my clothes, his asst take pix, and spent about four

minutes in room with me. No palpation of the flab or underlying

tissues, nothing. The one I chose spent over half an hour examining

me, discussing different alternatives on how and what to do, etc.

It is highly unlikely any of us, unless we lived in San Diego and were

going to TJ, to get that kind of interview/evaluation with MX or other

foreign surgeons.

I'm NOT saying not to get a PS procedure done outside the USA. I know

one woman who had four procedures done in CR, each about 3 days after

the previous one, and spent some five weeks there. I can't even

imagine doing four major procedures done like that, back to back, but

to each her own. She did save some 30 grand. But for arms, boobs,

belly and butt, and thighs to be all done more or less at once sounds

insane to me.

Anyway, there are many options, and I hope that wherever ANYONE goes

that they'll get multiple interviews/consults with the doc.

dan

--

" It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.riverofdata.com/lapband

Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana

[Guest guest]

I live in New York City and my neck and back have been distorted by years of aids medication. Does anyone know the name of Plastic Surgeon who works with gay patient who are HIV+?

All I know is I cannot find a honest and decent one by looking at a magazine. Thank you in advance for your help. Wayne

[Guest guest]

Does any one know a good doctor who do butt implants as well as a body lift??