Hi all, I am planning on getting a lower body lift and breast reduction, and am trying to do my homework to pick out physicians for consults. I've seen the recommendations to use real self.com, but I'm having difficulty navigating the site. I try to narrow it down by looking for plastic surgeons in the Philly area who perform lower body lifts, but I get lists of just plastic surgeons who do whatever, but not what I'm looking for. I see blogs of people who had the procedure, but none of them are local to me. Any suggestions? Thanks!

First of all I would type in Lower Body Lifts and start from there. Most WLS patients who have skin removal surgery will end up traveling in order to find a surgeon so specializes with such patients. It would be icing on the cake to find one a great surgeon close to home. I live in a major city, but I could not find such a surgeon in my area so I started looking for the quality of the surgeon first. Back to realself, by reading the reviews of past patients you will get a pretty good education on what to look for and what to shy away from. Once you dial in on a doctor there that peeks your interest you can highlite his name from one of the reviews you have read about him on and it will take you to his page where you can read other reviews and request a consult. I traveled, to have my lower body lift, I went alone, and flew to San Diego, I was gone for one week, for me it was very simple, I had no issues what so ever, I will be 3 months post op tomorrow. You can see my pictures on my profile...Happy hunting, I had 10 consults some in person and some online to find my terrific surgeon. Well worth all the work!

I also searched for "Massive weight loss" and such key phrases. What I thought was important was a surgeon who had lots of experience with my type of situation. I lost a lot of weight..and had a goodly amount of skin. I consulted with eome great local surgeons but went to Mexico in the end.

I also searched for "Massive weight loss" and such key phrases. What I thought was important was a surgeon who had lots of experience with my type of situation. I lost a lot of weight..and had a goodly amount of skin. I consulted with eome great local surgeons but went to Mexico in the end.

Actually this was very helpful, CGJ - thank you! Using this as a search term got me to the the American society of plastic surgeons (plastic surgery.org), and I could easily see the specialties of plastic surgeons in my area. I now have a list of physicians that I can begin looking into. It feels good to get started! : )

I also searched for "Massive weight loss" and such key phrases. What I thought was important was a surgeon who had lots of experience with my type of situation. I lost a lot of weight..and had a goodly amount of skin. I consulted with eome great local surgeons but went to Mexico in the end.

Cowgirljane, how much did your skin removal end up weighing? I'm having a lower body lift later this year and was curious. My surgeon estimated 10 to 12 lbs that shocked me. I'm 126 now and have a lot of skin but 10 or more lbs is a lot. Freaks me out. Lol I lost 140 from my all time high.

The consult I had in usa she estimated about 5# of skin...I thought it would be more but since I didn't have much fat it turned out to be 5.5#. I lost a lot of weight so I guess my skin did bounce back some...

The consult I had in usa she estimated about 5# of skin...I thought it would be more but since I didn't have much fat it turned out to be 5.5#. I lost a lot of weight so I guess my skin did bounce back some...

Dr Joseph Capella in Ramsey NJ was one of my choices. He deals with massive weight loss patients. Maybe check into him? Think Ramsey is only a couple hours from Philadelphia.

Good luck!

The consult I had in usa she estimated about 5# of skin...I thought it would be more but since I didn't have much fat it turned out to be 5.5#. I lost a lot of weight so I guess my skin did bounce back some...

That's about what I was thinking but he said it was more. I can't wait because I can fit into a size 2 pant now but with a muffin top of skin. It will be nice to not tuck it in anymore. And tuck a shirt instead!!!

Dr Joseph Capella in Ramsey NJ was one of my choices. He deals with massive weight loss patients. Maybe check into him? Think Ramsey is only a couple hours from Philadelphia. Good luck!

Thank you!!

Dr Joseph Capella in Ramsey NJ was one of my choices. He deals with massive weight loss patients. Maybe check into him? Think Ramsey is only a couple hours from Philadelphia. Good luck!

Thank you!!

I love Dr. Capella!!! I went to a lot of surgeons and decided on Dr. Capella to do my surgery!

Another question I have - I'm told that you have to massage your surgical areas after surgery so that you don't get a lumpy result? Those of you that had lower body lifts and such, what care did you provide to yourself postop, and for how long? Thanks!

Beth, the doctor should give you instructions on that. I don't have lumpy results and I just did the basic breast implant massage. Once the incisioins healed I massaged in mederma and vit e oils etc. Frankly, I think the main thing about scarring results is your genetics...

I have very good results as well, I was told to massage the scars with my compound which is like maderma but by Rx. As I did that I would hear and feel a pop. It actually felt good! I was told it was the scar tissue breaking down. At the moment down near my pubic region underneath my scar, I have a few internal "lumps" from the internal sutures that I am massaging trying to break up. If I can't break them up my surgeon will use laser treatment to break it up. It's only like an inch an a half area so not bad for everything I ha done even if it were to remain! But I have faith in my surgeon that it will go away!

I have very good results as well, I was told to massage the scars with my compound which is like maderma but by Rx. As I did that I would hear and feel a pop. It actually felt good! I was told it was the scar tissue breaking down. At the moment down near my pubic region underneath my scar, I have a few internal "lumps" from the internal sutures that I am massaging trying to break up. If I can't break them up my surgeon will use laser treatment to break it up. It's only like an inch an a half area so not bad for everything I ha done even if it were to remain! But I have faith in my surgeon that it will go away!

Thanks to you and Jane for your replies. For how long were you instructed to massage? Is it once a day?

Thanks to you and Jane for your replies. For how long were you instructed to massage? Is it once a day?

I massage mine twice a day. In the morning and at night and I use coconut oil. I don't have any hard lumps or anything in any part of my incision, it healing nicely.