2 years? huh?

Hedwig · May 14, 2007

I was just told by my doctors exercise specialist that I have to wait 2 years for ant plastic surgery. Really? I am almost at a year and was thinking about getting a tt and breasts fixer upper.lol. In 4 months or so. I forgot to mention that to my doctor. I know that each doctor is different but is that true?

Chickie · May 14, 2007

Eh. It depends. I had my TT not too long after I got to goal. There was no chance in hell that thing was going to shrink back to anything like normal, so with the blessing of my GP, went for it.

My arms, legs and boobs on the other hand, have shrunk in the last year. The skin is firmer, less wrinkled, despite the loss of a further 20 odd lbs. There is something in the "time will make it better" notion. But some things, like my stomach, are just a lost cause.

outdoorfriends · May 14, 2007

That's what my dietician says too. To give it 2 years and give your body time to go back into shape before contemplating surgery. We'll see when I get there. HAH!

MysticstarD · May 15, 2007

My doctor said the same 2 yrs. I would not want to wait that long

Jachut · May 15, 2007

It's probably ideal but like chickie says, I think you can tell if you're going to get significant improvement in some areas of your body. I definitely thought for a while my tummy *may* end up a little loose but its shrunk quite nicely.

I'm about to turn 40 ffs, waiting 2 years is hardly likely to improve things, roflmao! they're heading south at a very fast rate these days.

Hedwig · May 15, 2007

Well at least yours are only heading south. Mine have been there for a very long time and from what they told me they have no intention have on on visiting the North. lol. I can't imagine having to wait very long after I hit goal. Although It may happen that way. Seeing as the last 18lbs are happy where they are. I want to hit goal before I do this. I am not in that much of a hurry. Just don't want to wait 2 years. I really just want to get this part over with. I really feel odd having these flaps of skin hanging on me. Either way I just have to keep on keepin on. Thanks for the replies guys.

GayleTX · May 16, 2007

I have talked with 3 different PS clinics re my panni, and all of them agreed that it was quite acceptable to go ahead and remove it......and I am a long ways from goal. The panni was hanging before I lost any weight, had been for many years......in fact I was approved by insurance for removal of it about 10 years ago but 'life interefered' and never got it done. It's not going away no matter how much I lose. It's quite large, causes back pain and balance probelms, and the insurance co. approved it again in just one week. The surgeon I have selected said that he would remove the panni now, then when I get at goal he will do the second stage and work on the upper abdominal area if I choose to do it. One PS nurse I talked to commented that it was now common to go ahead and remove the panni if it was large, that they had found that it was very motivational for patients to continue losing, and that it made exercise much easier and more productive.

Pacomomma · May 17, 2007

I waited 2 years and ten asked my lapband doc and he said go for it .My doc wants you to maintain your weight for a bit before going for PS.

Marimaru · May 21, 2007

I can see why they want you to maintain for a while, but 2 years does seem like a long time. My weight loss has be s...l...0...w but I'd probably wait 6mos or so after I got to or close to goal. The other thing, is if you are close to goal but just can't get that last few pounds off, and are planning on significant plastic surgery, getting the surgery done might actually get those pounds off for you.

Spydr · May 25, 2007

I had my first PS at 16 months post lap band. They had to remove the skin from my belly 'cause it was going nowhere. they cut off a flap that weighed 7 lbs! I could have done crunches until the cows come home and that was not going to go away.

Not sure why your doc wants you to wait 2 years so I support you in asking him. Perhaps he wants to make sure you will maintain. Maybe he doesn't want people to think PS is an easy way to reach goal weight. (FYI it isn't) I always thingk we should question out doctors so we have all the information possible. If something sounds strange, make them explain it. Remember, you pay the bill, it's your right. Good luck!

MysticstarD · May 25, 2007

I agree, I am not waiting that long

Bawilliams1 · June 1, 2007

I had my first lapband surgery on 4/25/05 and I had my first plastic surgery on my arms (brachioplasty) om 3/7/06. I was pretty much at goal though. I had my second plastic usrgery on 5/1/07. I got a lower body lift and breast lift with implants. I have been pretty much at the same weight for a year now and I don't think I can lose much more. Maybe five pounds, but that wouldn't matter as far as the surgeries. I think it just depends on the individual. I didn't consult my band surgeon. I just consulted the plastic surgeons.