Don't know where to start looking for body contouring consults

[Nevermind 117]

I live in Fl but had my sleeve surgery in Texas almost a year ago. I am almost at goal, within 10-20 pounds (my goal) probably closer to 10 but I am always over-zealous. I am not opposed to going out of state but prefer not to. After seeing results for Dr. Capella in NJ, I cant imagine much better results. I need Tummy Tuck, inner thigh lift, butt lift and neck lift, & least priority is boob lift. (Actually I am torn as to whether I should do face/neck first because it really bothers me). I'm looking at maybe the fall or winter time 2015. Where do I start? I do have Medicare but was selfpay for my sleeve. I dont put hope in medicare...still, I will be financing most likely. I really have thought about Mexico but I am just not sure. My husband wasn't comfortable with me going there for the vsg and I doubt he will be any more reassured for plastics. I appreciate any suggestions.

[lclemur 161]

I am curious too! Of course I have a LONG way before I am there. Is it true that it is recommended that you wait 12 - 18 months after you reach your goal weight?

[AvaFern 3,516]

If you are in Florida, check out Dr. Ankit Desai in Jacksonville, FL. I had a series of three surgeries with him over the past 8 months and I could not have asked for more fantastic results. I had a Tummy Tuck, breast lift and augmentation, brachioplasty, groin incision thigh lift, and posterior body lift with buttocks auto-augmentation. I went from looking like a saggy tube sock to looking, pretty darn fantastic. I no longer have any loose skin, I have healed very well from all of my surgeries, and he and his staff are very good at handling any questions you have quickly. I am a HUGE fan of Dr. Desai, not just because he is an incredibly talented surgeon, but because he is a really nice person. He is extremely patient-centered in that he really listens to what you are looking for and explains very well beforehand what he will be able to acheive. This probably sounds silly, but I felt really self-conscious standing basically naked, all saggy and flabby in front of this really successful doctor and he never made me feel anything other than good about myself. I appreciate his surgical skill, but I also appreciate that he is sincerely kind to his patients.

Here is their website: https://www.plasticsurgeryjacksonville.com/

[Nevermind 117]

@@AvaFern Thanks. I will check his website. I am about 4 hours away though. I really am interested in Dr. Capella in NJ or someone with comparable results. His before and afters look almost too good to be true. I am at the beginning stages of the plastic surgery phase. I am really nervous though about standing naked in front of a surgeon (or anyone for that matter) but I know it's what they do and needs to be done. Thanks.

[AZDee 138]

If you are sure you want to stay in the states and not go to Mexico, then I would contact Dr. Peter Fisher in San Antonio, he is known as one of the countries top Plastic Surgeon who deals with many bariatric patients. His practice is made up of 80% of weight loss patients in need of skin removal. And his prices are very affordable...

[Nevermind 117]

@@AZDee Thank you. I will check him out and see if there are before and after pictures. What I have noticed is that not all surgeons before and afters are equal, in my opinion. By that I mean, I looked at Dr. Capella's before and afters and then a couple other surgeons (to include Mexico) and I didn't think the before and after pictures even compared. Anyway, I will definitely check it out. Thank you very much! ☺

[AZDee 138]

Honestly I had seen his work and was impressed when I was planning on having my LBL last year. But after visiting another "top specialist" of weight loss patients in CA, and being given a $40,000 estimate, I did call Dr Fisher's office and was told to send pictures, but I never did, thinking I would only be wasting mine and his time....Big mistake, I should have followed through. Even though I was very pleased with the outcome of my LBL with a different surgeon (Dr. Gutierrez in Mexico) I did not get the long thigh lift that I so wanted, as my surgeon was not comfortable in doing so, and also doing any Lipo on me do to the fact I am over 50. So when all the swelling settled I found I still had issues with my lower half. A good friend who had the "works" with Dr Fisher, spoke to him about me and he urged her to have me seek him out, so I flew to Tx and meet with him. He feels he can give me the results I though I would never be able to have, so later this summer, I plan on traveling to San Antonio and having my long thigh lift and the much needed lipo to my outter thighs, and the price, very low...

[Nevermind 117]

@@AZDee Wow. That's actually very encouraging. I am definitely going to check it out. I am still losing and then need to maintain. I hope you update when you have your work done. Good luck!

[My Bariatric Life 764]

@@Nevermind you will be naked more times than you can even imagine, and photographed and touched and prodded. Guess, what? It breaks you out of your shell, at least that is what happened for me. I was timid about my body but the process made me so comfortable with my naked body that I even went topless on a nude beach in NJ. It is very freeing.

Good luck!

[kate90 2]

I have lost 68 pounds and loving life but I too need to look into getting a Tummy Tuck. Just started out so I hope I don't get lost in the jungle. I will need to finance it too so i have a lot of work ahead but very excited. Staying strong!!

[tampa 55]

AVAVERN,

Did you have all those procedures at once? I am in Tampa but Jax is not far. Do you mind me asking the cost? And what type of thigh lift? Meaning where is the scar? Thanks

[tampa 55]

I just looked up Dr. Capella's website. Wow!!! He does amazing work. Something to be said about all the before and after pics. It is discouraging when someone raves about a Doctor and his work and you go on site and there is 2-3 pics per procedure. Is his cost reasonable?

[AZDee 138]

I so agree about Plastic Surgeons websites, and of course they only show you the very best pictures, that's why I love to check out the Doctor on realself.com where actual patients write the reviews and post pictures, so you get to see the good, the bad and the ugly!

[My Bariatric Life 764]

To add to what AZDee said, I recommend that you correspond with patients privately as they often will tell you the details that they will not post online. Also be VERY aware that there are lots of fake reviews out there, by practices posting positive reviews about themselves that are false to patients posting bad reviews about doctors that are false to practices posting bad reviews about other practices that are false. On RealSelf I would disregard any review that doesn't have photos and even if they do have photos if the patient is not active on the board then I would also be leery of it. Another thing to be aware of is that these review sites often take down negative reviews at the physician's request. So do not trust everything that you read.

Here is an extensive interview that I published with Dr. Capella a few years ago that can help you to understand what to look for in a plastic surgeon, regardless of who you decide to go with http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/162591/interview-capella-plastic-1?ap=831

And here are my plastic surgery insider tips, what I've learned after 2-years in the field: http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/174416/17-plastic-surgery-insider

Good luck!!

[My Bariatric Life 764]

I just looked up Dr. Capella's website. Wow!!! He does amazing work. Something to be said about all the before and after pics. It is discouraging when someone raves about a Doctor and his work and you go on site and there is 2-3 pics per procedure. Is his cost reasonable?

I paid $25k all inclusive (except travel) for Tummy Tuck, butt lift, inner thigh lift, extended arm lift, and breast lift.