Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Hello, I was sleeved in MX 9/2013 and I could not be more pleased. I started at 300lbs and am 185lb. I still have 30lbs to go and I am getting there. I walked a few times a week since the beginning but am now weight training. I am almost certain I will need tummy tuck, breast lift with implants and possibly a thigh lift. It is the last thing I want but I have not come this far to not look my best. I am self pay and would consider Mexico again if I found the right doctor. I find this surgery to be way more serious then the sleeve and I would do whatever I needed to do or go where I needed to find some one with skill. I The scarring worries me and I have seen som…

I am wanting to have breast implants and a lift done by Dr. Luis Suarez as he is the recommended surgeon through my sleeve doctor, but cannot find any information on him for reviews and nothing for his clinic (cer clinic) in Tijuana Mexico. Please help me if you know anything about this doctor. Would like to hear it all, good or bad. TIA

So Friday Feb 20th, 2015 I will be having a TT, BL/BA and lipo in Mexico. I am beyond excited and have really appreciated all who have shown pictures and shared experiences, and look forward to being able to share mine!

I know the skin doesnt pop back into shape but I was curious if there was a time frame that you did notice firming. Trying to determine time frames to get plastics done after I hit goal.

Well, I'm 6 days out from a breast lift/augmentation and bilateral medial thigh lift (with the long inner thigh incision). I had abdominplasty, butt lift and bilateral brachioplasty last August. The swelling from the first surgery in August was just starting to go down, and now it's back in full force! I'm up about 15 pounds from my lowest weight, and I have to say, it's the swelling that is miserable! And, the Water weight went directly to my arms and abdomen and hips, as well as the thighs and breasts. Basically, everything that I've worked on is a magnet for Fluid retention. I feel like a stuffed sausage. However, this second surgery is much easier to recover from th…

I had my sleeve done in September 2014. I have great progress and less than 20lbs away from my goal weight. Has anyone done plastics before a year post op. I have chatted with 3 doctors and none of them have concerns. Anyone with experience of doing it 9 months post op.

any plastic surgeon in NY that you will recommend? I would appreciate it!!

It's been six days since my panniculectomy and belly button fix and I got my drains and stitches out! The surgeon was impressed with how well it's progressing and with how good the results are. I go back in a week to check in. I'm so glad I did this for myself!

For anyone who happens to remember my earlier postings, I have already had two procedures. In August I had a breast augment and lift, abdominoplasty, and lipo to my hips, back, and thighs. I was very happy with the results, so then I scheduled my next procedure in November. This was a brachioplasty and groin incision thigh lift. I am not terrifically pleased with the thigh lift, but my doctor will ideally be fixing it during my next procedure, and I loved the arms. Much thanks to everyone who encouraged me to go for the brachioplasty when I posted my "wings or scars?" post! So..I am now going into my last surgery in two months. Ideally it will include a fix for my…

Since I am pretty new here, I have noticed that there is a lot of interest in Plastic Surgery in Mexico. Having just had my LBL done down there 7 weeks ago I thought I would share about it. Having surgery in Mexico, is not new to me as I had my RNY done in Ensenada back in 2003. Then last year I had three procedures done, a lower face/neck lift, arm skin removal and a breast lift/implant all due to the weight loss. At that time I did not do all the checking that I should have and didn't pay attention to the red flags I saw, but went ahead and went to the "Fancy Clinic" all made of white marble and glass. Well the center was nice but my results didn't turn out so great, as…

My LBL surgery is scheduled for Friday, and I am so anxious about it! 6 hours of anesthesia sounds overwhelming and from what I'm reading, it seems the recovery period is really painful, and does a bit of a number on your mind for a bit. Please tell me this is going to be worth it! Thanks!

I had my breast reduction on Monday and I am massively uncomfortable. But more worrisome than the pain is that I have been running a fever and one of my breasts is more swollen than the other. The surgeon was worried about a possible hematoma and decided to keep me for observation for a couple of extra days. The only good thing about that is that someone else has to deal with my drains. I'm afraid that when I strip the lines, it looks different from when the professionals do it. If you ever have an extended stay in a hospital, be prepared to have to fight for healthy, low carb food. Even though I was on their "controlled carb" plan, they served me Pasta and angel food c…

xx

So for some reason my boyfriend isn't too thrilled about my going to the plastic surgeon. I've come so far and I have a consultation with the surgeon in February and he keeps telling me I don't need to do this. He is so supportive with everything else but for some reason he gets so upset with the tummy tuck. I'm doing it either way but how do I get him on board?

My plastic surgeon said I could start using silicone gel tape for scar treatment. He said brand doesn't matter so I'm curious what people on here used for their tummy tuck or lower body lifts? I had a lower body lift and it is mainly my hips and back that are red. My front is already looking pretty darn awesome! !

It's been 4 months since surgery. Seem more swollen now than ever..and my scale says I'm up 10 lbs??? Is anyone else experiencing the same??

I would love to get a tummy tuck once I'm at my goal weight, but I'll admit, the hip to hip scar freaks me out a bit. It reminds me of Frankenstein! 99.9% of people's TT surgery pics show their belly with the scar covered by a bikini. Anyone out there in BP land willing to share what their TT scar looks like after some time has passed? I'm wondering what the scar looks like once its had some time to fade.

For those of you who have had TTs, would you recommend the ab muscle tightening/stitching? I'm not going for a bikini body with my TT, I just want my belly flap gone. Has anyone else skipped the ab muscle stitching who would be willing to share their experience? Has anyone had the ab stitching and wished later they hadn't? I'm 99% sure I'm going to have my stomach fixed. I have a smallish panis (sp?) and loose skin/stretch marks. When I went in for the consult, the surgeon went through what he does and talked about stitching the ab muscles together to further tighten things up. I asked him about that part and he said I didn't have to do it but he recommended it. He's…

I am interesting in getting my arms done in Mexico. Can u please share who did your surgery? Your experience and the cost of your surgery?

Hi Everyone! If you you've had plastic surgery in Mexico and are happy, please tell me who your surgeon is. I'm getting closer to being ready for plastics and I want to start researching possibilities. Thank you!

I was approved through insurance today!!! I still can't believe it because they never approve. I am so excited!!

It's tomorrow!!! After a month and a half delay after a spider bite, I am good to go for surgery tomorrow morning. I'm going to have the BARs procedure--realigning of abdominal organs and a plastic screen attached to my pelvis. I've had a big issue with recurrent hernias and this will solve that problem. And, all the icky skin will be gone. Goodbye panni! I will lose my belly button and I am just fine with that! This is the best Christmas gift ever!

I am almost at my one year mark from the sleeve and have lost approx 116 lbs so far. I'm still losing slowly (3 lbs a month or so) and can maybe see myself dropping another 10-15 or so on my own. My worst excess skin issues are my upper thighs followed by stomach. I'd really like to understand my options on these areas. Is it too soon to have a consult? How long of a process is it from the point of consultation to actual surgery? What questions should I be asking during a consult? I will only be looking at U.S. based Board Certified Surgeons. I think I would ask questions about the facility in which procedure is performed, number of like procedures surgeon ha…

I'd like to hear from those patients whom have faced divorce after their plastic surgery or bariatric surgery. Did you go through with it? Why or why not? What is it that made you consider divorce after plastic surgery/bariatric surgery (versus sooner in your relationship)? Are you happy with or do you regret your decision? Thank you.

I had a consult today with a different surgeon. They had two different recommendations for the procedure. One the anchor cut and the other a standard TT. She said she will pull down the skin tight and repair the muscle. She said I have a good hip curve already so the anchor cut wouldn't be needed. The other said with extra skin above my BB, an anchor cut will give a tighter waist. Anyone had a similar situation? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ever since my breast reduction surgery at the beginning of this month, my weight loss rate has been amped up. Before this, I was losing about a pound a week. But now it's more than two pounds per week. I actually weighed 10 lbs less on 12/22 than I did on 12/1. I'm not changing my ticker to 129 unless that weight is repeated on Friday's (day after Christmas treats) weigh-in, but the fact that I touched 129 in such a short time is amazing me. I know that some of the loss is the weight of the tissue removed during surgery, but that only accounts for a couple of pounds. Has anyone else experienced a whoosh after plastics?

Federal Insurance and Skin removal/Plastic Surgery coverage questions ? i currently have NALC /cigna federal and i dont believe they cover it i know im early only 8days post opp but i would like 2 know what federal insurance would cover and the process so i can switch for when it is time ... thanks i say federal because i work for the government want 2 know my options... I would love to have skin removal and Breast aug after please any info you can give on your experience in getting your insurance to pay and the process would be wonderful and who you suggest i select as a federal option to get what I want done when it is time.

Hi All- had my panicectomy and belly button fix this morning and I'm resting comfortably at a hotel. I have an 8am check-in tomorrow before going home. I skipped the ab plication and am happy I did! I feel really good- much better than I expected. They removed the catheter before I woke up. My drains come out at each end of the incision. I was expecting them to be around the pubis and I'm happy they didn't make extra holes for them. Dr. Carl Askren in Fresno is amazing!

Does anyone have any recommendations on surgeons in the St.Louis area? Also, can you share about how much it cost? TIA

I'm supposed to have a panniculectomy done December 8th. Worried I will not be happy but can't afford Tummy Tuck at this point. Insurance is covering Panniculectomy. Anyone had just the panniculectomy and if so how do you feel about the results? I have a small area above the belly button but not crazy.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a plastic surgeon in the Buffalo/Rochester area? I'm 6 months out of gastric bypass, have lost almost 70lbs and am looking to have plastics this summer (something with my tummy and a breast lift/augmentation) - I'm a teacher, so the timing is ideal! Anyone out there have good or bad experiences in my area? Thanks!!! Kelly

So excited and scared as hell at the same time! My journey is almost complete . I am 6 lbs from goal and hope to lose that in skin! What are some words of advice you have for me as I prepare for surgery? Things to take to the hospital, things to have on hand at home, what to wear post op...your words of wisdom would mean so much to me!!!

I'm having a panniculectomy and belly button fix Tuesday morning. It'll be out-patient so I will leave in the late afternoon ang go back early the next morning to have the catheter removed and for the surgeon to check the drains. What do I bring to wear? Sports bra or hook bra? Night gown or sweats? Will I be able to put on underpants or do I just skip it? Thanks for your advice!

5 weeks I'm off for a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. Can't wait and will post lots of pics throughout the process! Scared, excited and ready to get my body back I'm 165 lbs and just wonder what I'll end up after all this skin is gone.

After tons and tons of research... I had my TT and lipo (flank) on 11/21 ($4.500) It was the worse pain I've had but totally worth it! Flat stomach after a 90 lb wt loss (sleeve 05/20/13) My plastic surgeon is Dr. Covarrubias in Nogales MX (Hospital Clinica Del Sol) the staff is amazing ☺️☺️☺️ I had my post op appointment yesterday and the drains are OUT ☺️In about 3-4 months, I'm getting lipo (thighs, pubic, upper back) and fat transfer to my gluteal area. I am very happy and excited to start this new journey!

Oh WOW!!! The office just called and my insurance is going to pay for the panniculectomy! WOW!!! AMAZING... almost best Christmas present EVER! Now I just need to decide if I want to do the ab stitching... still on the fence about that but even with the ab stitching my out of pocket will be less than $3700!!! THANK YOU, UNIVERSE!!!!!!!

I have a stuffy nose and a scratchy throat. These symptoms are common for me when I have allergies as well as when I have a cold. I will definitely inform the intake nurse about my symptoms when I arrive at the hospital tomorrow. Do you think they will cancel the surgery?

I am about 1 1/2 years out from my VSG and I've lost around 80 pounds. Really need a complete lower body lift, arms and breast. I wanted to see how the scars look after a year and maybe at 6 months. Mainly worried about the scar that goes completely around your lower body. I've found lots of pics, but none that show how the scar actually looks during the months or years after. If anyone would share I would greatly appreciate it!

I just had a brachioplasty done on my arms and I'm wondering if anyone can suggest compression garments they have used

8 weeks ago I have a posterior lift and lipo of flanks.... also had a complete front scar revision (from my tummy tuck a year ago). At 8 weks, I am still feeling swollen, but more important, my waist seems bigger than pre surgery (none of my jeans fit like I went up a full waist size. Anyone thoughts? I se my doc in 10 days, so I will know more, but just seems like I should be smaller than before, not actually have a larger waist.

I'm so happy to have received the approval letter from my insurance company today for breast reduction. But now I'm trepidatious about telling my bosses that I will be taking more time off for surgery. They were pretty nervous about me being gone for two weeks when I had my WLS in May. Now, only 6 months later, here I am asking for time off again. I had originally planned to wait until next year. But my back pain has been so severe that I don't want to wait. I want relief now. I work for a very small company and when I'm away, my work just piles up. Last time, I hired a bookkeeper to fill in for me, but she was only able to do the easy, routine tasks. I don't look forw…

Does anyone know any surgeons in Temecula/murrieta area or even in riverside that they would recommend? I'm looking into a arm lift revision due to my scars being very noticeable and thick. Thank u

My current dilemma is whether or not to have an arm lift done. In August I had an abdominoplasty, breast lift & augmentation, and lipo, which ended up being great- I am a fan of plastic surgery. In November I have a groin incision thigh lift scheduled, however I have been back and forth on the brachioplasty. I am afraid of the scars. Everything else I’ve had done can be hidden under a bathing suit, but those scars are not easily hidden and even with excellent scar therapy, they will be visible to some extent. So, for those of you who have had an arm lift, do you regret it at all? Do you prefer having the scars over the wings? I have always had fat arms….in co…

my plastic guy wants to do this procedure on me because I also have a lot of skin on my sides. I forgot to ask him what all this proceedure does and am hoping someone here can tell me their experiences. Thanks!

Hello All, I finally (took three months) had a consult appointment to see about a panniculectomy/tummy tuck. I'm (of course) trying to get some of it paid for as a panniculectomy. I had a sleeve back in 2012 and am down almost 100lbs but I had Anthem/Blue Cross for my surgery and have been moved to a company program managed by Blue Sheild. The surgeon is great. I really like him. I met him back in August when I went with my friend who will have reconstructive surgery with him. I checked in with my sleeve surgeon and this plastic surgeon is on his list of recommended surgeons. He is extremely graphic in explaining all that he'll do and what the recovery will be. I was …

I recently completed a very challenging 4-hr ropes course (an obstacle course set high in the tree tops). I conquered my fear of heights and I cannot describe just how good it felt to push my body to the extreme even when I wanted to quit. I did the first half of this ropes course in early August and could not continue because I injured myself. So I went back last Sunday (Nov 2) and did the entire course. Here is a short vid of me doing the easy part of the course: http://vimeo.com/111289215 Since having my plastic surgery (Capella Plastic Surgery, Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery) after massive weight loss from Bariatric surgery, I am all about breaking through my bou…

HAs anyone done the ultrasound skin tightening treatments? Considering it.

Hey guys, I was just wondering about the surgical scars? Do they fade after a while? Whoever experienced something that helps please share!

I bought tickets several months ago for a gospel choir holiday concert. My sisters and I go every year, and it's very special. It's held at a beautiful, historic theater and the choir is amazing. I really don't want to miss it. But my breast reduction surgery is scheduled for 5 days earlier. Am I crazy to be planning to go to the concert?