When do you start the PS process???

mrskrzyz · May 18, 2008

Hi all! Just curious as to when I should make an appointment and begin the process. Of course I am hoping I can convince my insurance to pay.

I had surgery 6 months ago and have lost 50+ lbs. now. Still have a little more to go.... but boobs and tummy are already dropped and loose!!

When is a good time to get started with this process???

Thanks in advance for your posts!:thumbdown:

OH Juli · May 18, 2008

When you get about 10 to 15 pounds above your REAL goal weight is about when I was told to get busy consulting surgeons. Because you've not got over 100 pounds plus, to lose, us bigger folk sometimes get some part way there surgery to get some of the skin, off but the end surgery is still 10-15 pounds from goal.

Call your insurance and see what they may cover. Mine has me holding my goal weight for 6 months before they'll approve it along with having "quaility of life" issues.

TexasBecky · May 18, 2008

The whole process takes a while too. So, if you think you might be ready for surgery by the end of the summer, now is the time to start looking into it. I'm self pay so I wasn't even dealing with insurance approval and I started scheduling consults in February, started going on consults in March, made a decision in Arpil, and I'm actually having surgery in June.

salsa1877 · May 18, 2008

I started shopping around in March and I am a self pay. My surgery is not until July. It takes a while to get into surgeons (especially good ones!) and if you are working with insurance it could take even longer. I think ultimately 15 pounds or less would be a good time to start seeing the, but if you are a consistent loser you could start scheduling to see PS around the time you think you will be at that weight.

Frangipani · May 18, 2008

If you think you're ready to start checking into it, you should. I thought I started looking into this a little early, but it turns out that my timing was just about right.

I say this because BMI's and "goals" are funny things and are not always accurate. For example, right now, my BMI is still high, and my "goal" is still 22 pounds away. However, my size ten pants and medium tops are getting loose on me, so at this time, I am probably about a size 8, which seems inconsistent with my BMI and my current weight.

I imagine that my Tummy Tuck will take me down to a size 6, or possibly a 4 (I'm only 5'4" tall with a small frame, so this is still a good, healthy size for me). So it seems like the PS will bring me to "goal" even if the number on the scale doesn't agree.

If had strictly gone by my BMI, and my goal weight, I still might not have considered myself ready, but after my second consult with my Dr., he told me that I definitely was. (On the first consult he told me he wanted to see me lose another 15 pounds, which I have plus more now).

So it's probably best to just start looking now if you want to. As everyone else said, it can take time to find a Dr. that you like and when you do, that person will definitely be able to advise you as to when to get started.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Frangipani

Dr. Schulman · May 18, 2008

I agree that it is never "too early" to begin the consulation process. Your plastic surgeon can help you determine the best order of body contouring procedures and some surgeries do not require that you are at you "goal weight." Also, a PS will be able to give you price quotes which will help you plan financially for your procedures. While mst PS offices can give you a price quote over the phone, the final fee will usually vary depending on your specific body type and needs. Therefore, only after your consultation, can you get an accurate fee estimate.

Regarding ideal body wight and BMI, there are some things to keep in mind. I routinely remove anywhere from 10-30 pounds during the typical TT in people with bands. This means that may people will neer reach their goal weight before plastic surgery, becasue the excess skin has significant weight. It is more important that the weight loss stabilizes, and less important what teh actual number is.

juliegeraci · May 19, 2008

I met with my PS 20 lbs from goal. That being said I never aimed to the perfect BMI. I would have had to lose another 35 lbs. I am pleased with the outcome however I will need to go back in 6 months and have more abdominal fat removed because he couldn't get it all. So the closer to goal you are the better the outcome. Congrats on your weight loss to date.