When should I get a plastics consult?

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

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 has performed, mortality rates, risks & complications, recovery issues and time and costs and financing. Others that I should be thinking of?

Should I wait another 6 months to even have a first appointment?

[Elode 8,093]

@@HumanMerelyBeing I've read on here people say 1 year after you stop losing weight to 18 months after.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I just weighed in for my one year at 169 pounds like you. My original goal had been 135, but my doctor said that if i lose another 14 pounds, plastics would take care of another 12-15 pounds, putting my weight at 140-145 which is good enough for my age (63). My insurance will pay for the panni, but not until two years post-op. So basically I have a year to lose another 14 pounds if that is where I want to stop.

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

@@MissMac - this is helpful. I should check my insurance, I just assumed the answer would be no. It also sounds like I should wait another 8-12 months for the consult. Thanks!!

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Do multiple consults.... very educational. I did several in the USA before ultimately going to Dr Sauceda in Mexico. The main thing I learned is that plastics is about tradeoffs and there are many varying opinions on how to tackle the same problem.

I think it is very important to look at many many before and after pictures of people who have similar body type (ie massive weight loss). The situation of a standard "mommy makeover" isn't really the same as after massive weight loss. Spend some time reading at realself . com etc.

Plastics were first suggested to me about 12 months post op when i wasn't at goal yet. I waited until about 22 months post op before having surgery and I was under my goal weight. I only lost about 5.5# due to plastics (which was very close to estimates given to me during other consults) but i had little excess fat at that point - really, it was skin.