I am doing my first plastics consult on Monday. I have put it off for a while because I wanted to see if I could zap the extra skin on the tummy area with working out (cross fit and running for me). Unfortunately, it is still there even though I am at an ideal body weight, have an athletic body fat percentage and have a lean muscular body composition (good inverted t upper body shape).

I am not a huge guy, but it have built up good muscle definition from consistent cross fit training combined with distance running over the last year. My stats are 5'11", 181 current weight, bf% @16% (according to WW scale). I am a size medium in shirts and a size 30-32 in pant size.

Yet I still stare at the skin around my belly button. And it is bothering me. I would like to have a good set of abs to match the rest of my body composition.

I know I have abs under there because my core strength is very good. I can do 5 minute plank holds and a lot of gymnastic exercises that require core strength like pull-ups, toes to bar, etc. I just cannot form any sort of pack whether that is 6 pack, 4 pack, etc.

For those vets that have done plastics and have had a measurable success,

What are some questions I should ask the doctor during the consult?

What additional information should I arm myself with?

I will try and do plastics locally as not wanting to travel to Mexico. From a recommendation given previously in this forum, I will be seeing Dr Harris @ Puget Sound Surgical Center in Edmonds, WA. The finances are not in place yet and will take a while to save up for, but I want to take an initial step and get the consult.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, he showed me 3 pictures of existing patients who had a similar set of goals as I do. Is 3 enough to see? Probably not. I will ask to see more next time I go back. The results looked immaculate in terms of scar workmanship and he did say they would happily remedy any scar issues free of charge should they come up. I found it a little curious that he did not know the puckering term after reading some information on it here. Puckering must be slang. After we discussed it some, he called it something else. I do not remember the term he used.

What do you think about the pricing for either procedure that is being done locally?

Tonight I will look at my quotes but dr Harris was the most affordable of the surgeons I saw. He may not have more than3 of men with similar situation. He wasnt able to use photos from his previous location whereas some others have like a 25 year history so have volumes of photos. The lack of pix was the main reason I wasn't comfortable but that was a year ago and I trust that medical practice overall so I think he is a good choice.

Thanks CGJ.

As an actual patient speaking from my own personal experience with a tummy tuck on Dr. Harris work I would recommend him to my family and friends. I am pleased with the tummy tuck, very pleased actually with the final outcome, his personality to make me feel that he is confident in his work and the personalities of the staff that take care of u after surgery. He has suggested other ideas that I don't agree on for a procedure I will need later this year. I need visual proof that I would need an implant with the breast lift surgery. He wants you to look and feel good when he is all done but sometimes not everyone is wanting a 18yo boobs! I want my natural breast to look its best, that's all.I'm confident we will come to a compromise I will love and he can be proud of. I also need to remember he is the professional and knows what a beautiful stomach, breast, thighs, or boobs should look like. All I have seen in the mirror is two tube socks with a tennis ball sunk in the bottom!!!!

He wanted me to have the 2 scar surgery because when I bend over I won't get the fold of skin because of all the skin I had in the upper abdomen area. He was right! No mini belly roll and it doesn't fold when I'm sitting

Sounds good. Did you see any photos of similar patients?

I am dubious about full strength at 6 weeks. I am at 12 weeks and now doing intense workouts - I was cleared to resume exercise beyond walking at 6 weeks, but was not full strength. I get a little swelling even now on days I exercise really hard.

I am 7 weeks out and feel great BUT I wouldn't attempt a hard core workout. I sneeze and I am grabbing my side cuz it hurts. I do wall squats and trying to firm up my arms to prepare them for surgery in July or August. Advise::: take it easy & don't rush!!!!!

So I talked to my insurance (UHC) yesterday about what the eligibility is for these procedures considering they are cosmetic and not medical. Interestingly enough, they said in network was 100% covered after 200 dollar deductible and out of network 80% covered. This is the same coverage as the VSG itself. They said the decision depends on provider used and is case by case, whatever that means. This is exciting news that the procedures may be covered at 100 %. However, I would have to make sure provider is in network and, unfortunately, this might exclude dr Harris at PSSC. Isn't insurance fun ?

Thank you so much for posting this information. I was also a patient at PSSC for my weight loss surgery and will be using Dr. Harris to perform my tummy tuck and arm lift. Yesterday I had my pre-surgery appointment with Dr. Harris, and he threw a curve ball in the mix by suggesting a fleur de lis tummy tuck v's regular tummy tuck. After doing some research (and stomach squelching in front of the mirror) I am inclined to go with the fleur de lis as the results will be significantly tighter and defining for me. The arm lift cannot be performed at the same time as the fleur de lis tummy tuck as there wont be enough time in his day to get it all done (his words, not mine). Honestly thinking about forgoing the arm lift anyway as my upper arm skin laxity seems to be improving with exercise and time since loosing weight. He wanted to make an incision at my armpit only and pull the skin up and sew it at my armpit so that I wouldnt have a long scar to my elbow. After seeing some before and after pics of this procedure im honestly not that impressed. I don't see dramatic results and I find the idea of having a bumpy rumpled scar under my arm a bit unnerving.

Sorry to go on and on..this is such a big step and Im really trying hard to make sure I get it right. :-)

So I talked to my insurance (UHC) yesterday about what the eligibility is for these procedures considering they are cosmetic and not medical. Interestingly enough, they said in network was 100% covered after 200 dollar deductible and out of network 80% covered. This is the same coverage as the VSG itself. They said the decision depends on provider used and is case by case, whatever that means. This is exciting news that the procedures may be covered at 100 %. However, I would have to make sure provider is in network and, unfortunately, this might exclude dr Harris at PSSC. Isn't insurance fun ?

Fiddleman, I am very impressed that your insurance will cover cosmetic procedures. How fantastic is that?!? I have had to jump through hoops for Blue Cross to approve a Panniculectomy (which will be part of the fleur de lis tummy tuck) that works out to only take a couple of thousand off the cost.Oh well, I will take what I can get. :-)