I am a long time lap bander and flipped to a sleeve in 2016. In there I lost and gained weight and am back around my goal weight where I have been for a while.

I recently moved to the St Petersburg area and am looking at plastic surgeons in the area. I want one who understands weight loss patient skin is different, more damaged than a standard patient. I am looking at arm lifts, thigh lift, some abdominal lips, breast lift and reduction and because I am feeling saggy maybe a small face lift. I did a tummy tuck and breast lift 20 years ago and the boobs took the hit on the weight regain I had the tummy tuck held up well.

There are a ton of options in the area was wondering if anyone had experiences and recs?

I am also looking at maybe going to Columbia to a practice there the quote is appealing and the doc is American board certified and teaches in the US. All the work there will be 20-25k and that includes a 10-12 day hotel stay, nursing care and transport to and from the hospital as needed.

Check into Dr. Lauren Kuykendall. She's a professor with USF Plastics, and operates at TGH. Her prices are reasonable and she did my fleur de lis, and she'll be doing all of my other plastics. She's wonderful, caring and knows what she's doing. Another surgeon there that I've heard good things about is Dr. David Smith. Not sure if he's still operating or just doing his professor duties at this time tho.

Best Wishes!

I had my PS done by Dr. Alex Earle in Miami. He does lots of surgeries on massive weight loss patients. I had an extended tummy tuck that included muscle repair and lipo to the flanks, a breast lift & augmentation and arm lifts.

Thanks ladies, I will check out the docs, Miami is a little far for follow up and driving post surgery I remember what it was like with my tummy tuck traveling two hours post surgery and for follow ups.

I had a fantastic experience having surgery in Colombia. But $20-$25K is very very overpriced, even including aftercare. I suggest continuing to look at Colombian surgeons, but not use one who will grossly overcharge you.

Check out Dr. Dietrich at Advent Health Bariatric. Incredible program, state of the art facilities and holistic approach to weight loss.

On 7/10/2022 at 2:22 PM, fourmonthspreop said:

Check out Dr. Dietrich at Advent Health Bariatric. Incredible program, state of the art facilities and holistic approach to weight loss.

Looks like he is a baritric surgeon I have those looking for plastic surgeons now

On 7/10/2022 at 12:28 PM, sillykitty said:

I had a fantastic experience having surgery in Colombia. But $20-$25K is very very overpriced, even including aftercare. I suggest continuing to look at Colombian surgeons, but not use one who will grossly overcharge you.

Silly kitty,

If you don’t mind me asking, where did you go in Columbia? One of the things I liked about this surgeon is he is board certified in the US and is a teaching surgeon and maintains US credentials as well as Columbia credentials.

it also included onsite nursing care hotel stay for two weeks and some other items. I am just starting my search for plastic surgeons. I knew all of them in Toronto and Philly when I was there. so it was easy now it is a whole new ball game

21 minutes ago, susieq321 said:

Silly kitty,

If you don’t mind me asking, where did you go in Columbia? One of the things I liked about this surgeon is he is board certified in the US and is a teaching surgeon and maintains US credentials as well as Columbia credentials.

it also included onsite nursing care hotel stay for two weeks and some other items. I am just starting my search for plastic surgeons. I knew all of them in Toronto and Philly when I was there. so it was easy now it is a whole new ball game

My surgeon is based in Medellin. He is board certified in Colombia, did a fellowship in the US, and active in various plastic surgery boards and committees as well as teaching. But his cost was a fraction of what your quote is. I honestly feel like $20-25K is egregiously overpriced and total gouging because you are American. As far as aftercare, I stayed in a very nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath Airbnb for $40/nt and could have hired a nurse for $40 per 8 hr. So the two weeks stay with nursing is not worth more than $2K.

I have followed and researched Colombian surgeons for a few years now, so feel free to pm me if you want to discuss further

Edited July 11, 20224 yr by sillykitty

Make sure who ever you pick is Plastic Surgery Board Certified
I know plenty of general surgeons who have taken a few “classes” and then can list that they do plastic surgery. Being board certified in it is a true way to know they are specially trained. You want BOARD certified and FACS.

On 7/23/2022 at 10:07 PM, Kris77 said:

Make sure who ever you pick is plastic surgery Board Certified
I know plenty of general surgeons who have taken a few “classes” and then can list that they do plastic surgery. Being board certified in it is a true way to know they are specially trained. You want BOARD certified and FACS.

I would never do anything other than board certified surgeons, PS is a risk at its best and people die at the worst. I can do think of a case in Toronto where post simple liposuction the patient died and the cosmetic surgeon and several other medical pros lost their licenses to practice. (As they should of)

thanks for the reminder.

On 7/9/2022 at 1:50 PM, I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ said:

Check into Dr. Lauren Kuykendall. She's a professor with USF plastics, and operates at TGH. Her prices are reasonable and she did my fleur de lis, and she'll be doing all of my other plastics. She's wonderful, caring and knows what she's doing. Another surgeon there that I've heard good things about is Dr. David Smith. Not sure if he's still operating or just doing his professor duties at this time tho.

Best Wishes!

Thank you I am going to see her in September:)

2 hours ago, susieq321 said:

Thank you I am going to see her in September:)

Yay!!! Keep us updated with how your PS journey goes!!

Keep us updated! Very exciting!!