I thought that this might be a good place to post questions to me, so that other people can see your questions and my answers. I will continue to answer questions from those of you that private message me, but this is a nice way to share the information with others - since many of your questions are relevant to other people.

I will try to answer the questions as quickly as possible, and include links and pictures when appropriate.

I am obligated to add this disclosure.....any information provided by me is my opinion and cannot substitute for an actual consultation with your qualified physician.

I use Kelo-cote in my office. It is a silicone gel that drys to a clear coating. It also comes in a spray - which is great for those "hard-to-reach" spots. They have a website and it is reasonably priced.

You can tape during the day, and apply the gel at night...or vice-versa.

"I have no financial interest in this particular product".

Thanks for the additional info Dr. S -- really appreciate it!

:cursing::smile:

I was wondering how successful liposuction is for someone who has been banded. I have not lost any weight in months and still have about 30% of my excess weight. I do not need to look perfect I would just still like to look better and less lumpy in my clothes. Does lipo just make somewhat saggy skin sag even more?

I was wondering how successful liposuction is for someone who has been banded. I have not lost any weight in months and still have about 30% of my excess weight. I do not need to look perfect I would just still like to look better and less lumpy in my clothes. Does lipo just make somewhat saggy skin sag even more?

Liposuction removes fat....not skin. It is true that the skin will "shrink" a little after liposuction, but this occurs even less in people who have been banded. It is likely to make your skin more loose. The better option is to discuss it with your bariatric surgeon. If you are no longer losing weight and are not close to goal, than you may want to discuss the options with your bariatric surgeon.

Dr. Schulman - first I want to say "THANKS" for the great info. I am still about 6 month to a year away from having PS (TT). I want to inform myself as much as possible before selecting a Surgeon. Any suggestions on how to began the search? I am in Tennessee, aroung the Nashville area.

Wish you were here...........

Thanks,

Laura

Dr. Schulman - first I want to say "THANKS" for the great info. I am still about 6 month to a year away from having PS (TT). I want to inform myself as much as possible before selecting a Surgeon. Any suggestions on how to began the search? I am in Tennessee, aroung the Nashville area.

Wish you were here...........

Thanks,

Laura

Congratulations!

The key is research research research! Your plastic surgeon should be:

1. board certified (in plastic surgery)
   
2. a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) - look on www.plasticsurgery.org for the directory
   
3. experienced with body contouring after weight loss - this may include being a member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS)
   
4. affiliated with a major teachng hospital
   

You should start your consulations early, ask for references, and see pictures of results (and not just the good ones!)

You may evenhave to travel out of your area to find a qualified plastic surgeon depending on where you live (may I suggest NYC )

I would also recommend signing up for my bariatric newsletter - you will find valuable information that will help inform you!

dr schulman - was advised on another thread, a question i had for you to post here:

"i've been telling my husband i want my eyes done for about a yr now. i have the "inherited" - hood & dark circles from both parents. even when rested i sometimes look tired & if i'm not rested - well the bags come out.

dr schulman - what is the best treatment for this? i'll be 40 soon, have no other wrinkle issues - but would really like to get my eyes to match how i feel. i can even make it up to NYC, as that's where i'm from & still have lots of family there."

thanks in advance.

hubby over the wkend told me if this was bothering me enough to start the process - got the green light to head north for this as well:). luckily i've not had any skin issues with weightloss - my eyes however are a constant bother.

appreciate any feedback -

Thank you Dr. Schulman for responding. One more question. Is it too early to start contacting, consulting etc. with surgeons now? It will be at least 6 months before I will be able to have the TT. (saving up to pay cash, also seeing what insurance will or will not cover) I guess I am just eager to have the consultation to see what the cost is going to be.

Thanks again,

Laura

dr schulman - was advised on another thread, a question i had for you to post here:

"i've been telling my husband i want my eyes done for about a yr now. i have the "inherited" - hood & dark circles from both parents. even when rested i sometimes look tired & if i'm not rested - well the bags come out.

dr schulman - what is the best treatment for this? i'll be 40 soon, have no other wrinkle issues - but would really like to get my eyes to match how i feel. i can even make it up to NYC, as that's where i'm from & still have lots of family there."

thanks in advance.

hubby over the wkend told me if this was bothering me enough to start the process - got the green light to head north for this as well:). luckily i've not had any skin issues with weightloss - my eyes however are a constant bother.

appreciate any feedback -

it sounds like you would do great with an upper and lower eyelid surgery. In terms of facial surgeries, eyelids provide the "biggest bang for your buck". It will instantly remove years from your appearance and will get rid of that "tired" appearance. The recovery is relatively well tolerated, except for bruising and swelling that can last up to 2 weeks. I do not think our age makes you "too young" for this surgery. I routinely do this operation on people around 40 (much younger for those with the "inherited" bags), and the fact that you have been banded and lost weight made you more prone to this at a younger age.

Here is a link to pictures about these procedures and more information. I look foward to seeing you in NYC - it is nice to visit and you can recover around family, not your friends from home.

eyelid surgery

Thank you Dr. Schulman for responding. One more question. Is it too early to start contacting, consulting etc. with surgeons now? It will be at least 6 months before I will be able to have the TT. (saving up to pay cash, also seeing what insurance will or will not cover) I guess I am just eager to have the consultation to see what the cost is going to be.

Thanks again,

Laura

First, let me say that it is never "too early" - this is why I discuss plastic surgery with pre-op bariatric support groups!

That being said, you should begin consults when you are getting close to goal. You should be at goal for at least a few months before having a TT, but it takes several months to get an OR date, do necessary paperwork, get medical clearance, save money, etc.

So....if you are 6 months away from the surgery date in your head, I would recommend starting consults soon, so that you can yourself prepared mentally and physically. Plastic Surgeons usually have a few months wait for surgery anyway.

Dr. Schulman! This is a great thread and I have learned a lot just by reading the questions and answers. The question I have is where to go to find a plastic surgeon that is bariatric certified? I have hit every key word I can think of to find one here in Oklahoma and haven't scored yet. I am sure there are several great PS here but for body conformation I'm really wanting to be sure I have the best for the problems I have. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Dr. Schulman: What can you do for the bags and blueness under the eyes?

Dr. Schulman! This is a great thread and I have learned a lot just by reading the questions and answers. The question I have is where to go to find a plastic surgeon that is bariatric certified? I have hit every key word I can think of to find one here in Oklahoma and haven't scored yet. I am sure there are several great PS here but for body conformation I'm really wanting to be sure I have the best for the problems I have. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

There is no such thing as "bariatric certified." What you want is a PS experienced in post-bariatric patients. Ask our bariatric surgeon who they refer to for this. You can look at American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (www.asbps.org) - this will list PS in your area that concentrate on this area. Also, check obesity help (www.obesityhelp.com) - this site has a listing or doctors and patient reviews. It is a great site.

Next, when you make an appointment, ask if the dr does a lot of weight loss patients. If the person answering the phone is confused, then the answer is probably "no". In consultation, make sure to ask for pictures of similar patients. They should be able to show you pics if it is an area they specialize in.

Do your homework. This is a very specialized area of plastic surgery.

Dr. Schulman: What can you do for the bags and blueness under the eyes?

A lower blepahroplasty can remove the bags. Sometimes the "blue" is shadowing from the bags, and it will improve after the bags are removed. Sometimes it is staining of the skin, and will require a chemical peel, which can be done at the same time. Sometimes, it is jsut the color of the muscle underneath showing through because the skin is so thin.

Here is a lower blepharoplasty

Dr. Schulman: Once again, the pictures are worth a thousand words and the exlanations on your website are excellent. Thanks once more, for sharing your expertise!

it sounds like you would do great with an upper and lower eyelid surgery. In terms of facial surgeries, eyelids provide the "biggest bang for your buck". It will instantly remove years from your appearance and will get rid of that "tired" appearance. The recovery is relatively well tolerated, except for bruising and swelling that can last up to 2 weeks. I do not think our age makes you "too young" for this surgery. I routinely do this operation on people around 40 (much younger for those with the "inherited" bags), and the fact that you have been banded and lost weight made you more prone to this at a younger age.

Here is a link to pictures about these procedures and more information. I look foward to seeing you in NYC - it is nice to visit and you can recover around family, not your friends from home.

eyelid surgery

thank you dr schulman - your very generous to take time out to explain things; it would be lovely to meet you in NYC...i have a fall timeframe in mind & will be in touch with your office.

much thanks,