I am anxious to hear about your experience as I have not done this yet. I am mostly concerned with my arms. Please keep us informed.
Jackie

I too, am approching the time where I will decide whether or not to persue having skin removal surgery. I am very interest in yours and any other insights regarding this. Good luck to you and please tell us all what your experience is. d

You may want to read some posts on the Obesity Help Plastic Surgery forums.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/a,messageboard/board_id,4861/

Congratulations on making it this far, ladydi1961. I had my lapband four years ago this month and have to date have also had two breast reductions and lifts, two bracheoplasy's (arms), a midsection lift (tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, bum lift), and now a upper body lift. I thought learning to live with the band was hard, but getting through those surgeries was just as hard. And expensive. That being said, I not only feel and look great, but I can finally wear the clothes I've only dreamed of wearing. The SPANX have even hit the garbage. Build up your support system; you will need it. Find one excuse why you can afford to have the re-contouring done and just do it. I'd wish you luck, but luck is not what you need. You need courage, strength, lots of kleenex for those days when you hurt and nothing or no one can take away that hurt.

I have not had this done but know people that have. Several. None of them have ever regreted it. It has not only improved their body but also their attitudes. I completely plan on doing it. Hopefully I wont have to do my arms but I do plan on doing the complete weight loss plastic surgery.

Good luck to you all!

Just tried to add a comment and for some reason it didn't post. If it shows up, I'm sorry!

I had my tummy tuck and lipo exactly 4 weeks ago today. There has been more pain than with my GBS. My GBS was virtually pain free. I had the surgery on Friday, home Sunday and went to a meeting at work on Monday night. Felt fine the entire time....had great energy and etc.

Well - fast forward almost 2 years and I am 200 pounds lighter than my heaviest weight!

So - I went in for skin removal and lipo 4 weeks ago. My excess skin wasn't too bad...but wow, now I look down and I have a FLAT stomach instead of a flabby flap of skin! What a difference!

I'm still in a compression garment and will be for a number of weeks (months). It isn't all that comfortable, but it is doable!

I was on pain meds for about a wek...now I'm fine. Went back to a hectic work schedule about 3 weeks after the surgery (timed it so I wasn't feeling great over Christmas).

I'll answer anything...so ask away!

i guess i have a question more than a statement - how long after your surgery before they will consider skin removal?

We decided to stage my plastic surgeries and I have been very, very pleased with the results.

Surgery 1: Extended Tummy Tuck with breast lift and augmentation.
Surgery 2: Posterior circumferential belt lipectomy (butt lift).
Surgery 3: Brachioplasty
Surgery 5: Leg lift

I have had great experiences. I heal well and my surgeon was amazing.

JJ

Thepbourn.. I was told about 2 years or so after GBS. That way your weight loss has leveled off..

does insurance pay for skin removal surgery or is it considered plastic surgery?

It depends on if you can prove that reconstructive surgery is necessary. Always visit your PCP and have him document all rashes due to excess skin. Having that type of documentation can help.

After my children were born I had a breast lift completely paid for by Kaiser. If you study up and document issues you can prove the surgery is reconstructive rather than cosmetic.

i HAVE HEARD OF COMPRESSION GARMENTS WHAT ARE THOSE?

Terri,

The compression garment I wear goes from mid-thigh to my ribcage. It is a very tight "girdle" that really holds everything in. Zips up the side. It isn't comfortable...but I'm getting used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore.

I am 4 yrs post GB and I wish I had done the surgery when I was at my lowest wgt. I am one of those who have a lot of extra skin - I am only 5;2" so i am a hot mess naked lol I got really depressed about how i looked and surgery seemed impossible with that kind of price tag. I have gained 50 lbs back (i was down a little over 150 lbs) I have really given it thought and i need to have it done - yes its a lot of money but its the price of a car - if i can pay on a car, i can pay on something much more valuable. I have an appt March 11th with a plastic surgeon. My goal is to work my butt off and go back to a bariatric diet and loose as much as possible before the appt. I am hoping to have the surgery late this year so i can take a few weeks unpaid time off that will not effect my pto time at work.