Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Dr. Harris at Puget Sound in Washington



Recommended Posts

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had reconstructive surgery with Dr. Harris at Puget Sound Surgical Center in Washington? If so what was your experience like?

Thanks all

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Go to rate md and type in his name. I ran across one negative incident on him. One very unhappy customer. Not saying he is bad. I had my sleeve done at Pudget Sound Surgical and they are excellent.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you I will.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had reconstructive surgery with Dr. Harris at Puget Sound Surgical Center in Washington? If so what was your experience like?

Thanks all

I just had my Tummy Tuck with Lipo with Dr. Harris. I am on day 6 and absolutely thrilled! I lost close to 110 lbs with the sleeve (also at PSSC) and love the fact they have an in house plastic surgeon who works primarily on weight loss patients. He wanted me to stay the night because I would be under a little longer and made me have a CT scan due to a medical issue that came about 2 weeks prior to my TT just to be 100% positive surgery would be safe for me. My TT was the day before Thanksgiving and he was in bright and early checking on me Thanksgiving morning- thrilled with how well I did threw out the night. My nurse said she had be texting him updates periodically threw out the night also. I only did pain killers for 3 days and go in tomorrow for my 1week checkup. I had thought hard about going to mexico for arms and boobs but the safety and results I have received from Landerholm (sleeve) and Harris (plastics) I will not be looking any further. If something or someone works, why change or risk it is my thought. I did all this to live a healthy life so I will be sticking with PSSC to get me to my goal!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You know I am a big fan of PSSC - they have been awesome and I got outstanding results from my sleeve surgery. I did not choose Harris for plastics for two reasons. 1, he was new there when I did the consult and did not have alot of before and afters to look at. 2, he is a cosmetic and not plastic surgeon. Not sure point 2 makes any difference, but it was a factor in my decision - there is a different level of training.

However, for body reconstruction after massive weight loss I suspect he is every bit as good or BETTER than many plastic surgeons because he specializes in it. I also have alot of trust in the level fo care from PSSC. In the end, I went to Mexico to dr Sauceda - partly for cost, but my main reasons for choosing him was superior aftercare and he has a long track record of good results with massive weight loss reconstruction. However, Mexico is NOT for everyone.

If you want the very best of the best in the Seattle area for post massive weight loss - check out Dr Egrari. He is a nationally known specialist. I also thought the Dr Mary Peters has amazing results (book in her office even more than on realself or her webpage - she has like 15-25 years worth of amazing photos). However, both those surgeons cost a small fortune if you need multiple procedures. They also send you home same day, which was something I could never really get my mind around so for me Dr Sauceda was the best choice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How on earth can they have excellent reputations or be considered the best, if they send their patients home same day?!!

Pammycakes - did insurance cover the plastics?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How on earth can they have excellent reputations or be considered the best, if they send their patients home same day?!!

Pammycakes - did insurance cover the plastics?

I have taken 4 of my friends to their plastic surgery appointments ( boobs and tummy tucks) all at different places and none of them had spent the night. I took them all home that day. I believe spending the night is not common here in the states. If you travel far from home for plastics they wouldn't want you travel fresh after surgery.

Yes, my insurance paid for it but I had skin issues that I documented.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

pammy is right - I consulted with 4 usa surgeons - they were ALL day surgeries done in a clinic and then you go home. That was one of the reasons I went to Dr Sauceda, you stay in a clinic for 3 days and have lots of nursing care... and of course I stayed down there for 11 days total. I know that people do fine with the day surgery, but my own "need" to be more cared for after something that felt scary and uncertain was very high. I am more than satisfied with my choice but I also know that many very good surgeons do send people home same day...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow, I'm just startled is all, it seems like such invasive surgery to be sent home the same day ...

Pcakes - how did you document the skin issues? I have many issues that would be solved with plastics.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There is no way I would have been able to go home the same day!! Like cowgirl jane, aftercare was important to me. I could not even get up by myself to go to the bathroom. I think it is crazy being sent home the same day after major surgery. I think traveling out of the country is a smart decision based on each individuals needs. I am a total big baby and need extra care after surgery. Glad I am happy went to Dr Gutierrez.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow, I'm just startled is all, it seems like such invasive surgery to be sent home the same day ...

Pcakes - how did you document the skin issues? I have many issues that would be solved with plastics.

I went to my primary care Dr EVERY time I had a rash to make sure it documented and I took pictures at all stages.

I can say I wouldn't have been able to come home and take care of myself after surgery. My husband was so great, he got everything ready to make sure I was comfortable, all my Protein foods ready for me, and helped me bathe.He was home with me for 5 days. I guess if I didn't have him my recovery wouldn't be as easy as it had been. Still, for me, going home less than 24 hours felt medically safe. I did it with the sleeve too but my husband was there to help me with the daily living.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Globe, the USA surgeons would have spread my work over 3 surgeries. They tell you lots of reasons for it, but I suspect one of them is the "aftercare" issue. I don't think my caregiver could have managed my care those early days post op with 4 procedures, but probably okay with 1 or 2 (depending on which ones)

Anyway, there are pros and cons - each of us needs to think it through. It was a big deal to get 4 procedures done at once like i did.... really, it's a big deal. I am glad it is behind me, I completely believe Dr S was the right choice for me, but don't underestimate how tough it can be. I still maintain that the foreign surgeons are every bit as good, it is just a different path and not for everyone...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jane - how many thousand difference in cost would the multiple US procedures have been, vs the Mexican cost?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I estimate it would have been about twice as much but I never really got final quotes on everything in the USA. In my case it would have taken about 3 years so I could take the time off from work - one surgery per year.

I paid several thousands less for "the works" than my quote was for just Tummy Tuck (or LBL depending on the USA surgeon) and breast lift/implant in the usa.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I met with Dr. Egrari, Dr. Dry and two other local plastic surgeons. I ended up choosing Dr. Peters. Her results looked much more natural than either of the other two more famous docs. Their tummy tucks looked too boyish to me and their belly buttons too large. My results with Dr. Peters are amazing. My belly button looks real, I have a flat slightly curved tummy, and my breast lift with implants look incredibly natural and I only have one scar around each aereola. Dr. Peter's has a great inclusive consulting style and her aftercare was terrific. Her prices are a little less than the other doctors and they offer 0% financing through CareCredit. I highly recommend her. The lbl is a very difficult surgery, I would only use a plastic surgeon with lots of weight loss surgery experience. Next up for me is a thigh lift.

Britt

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×