Body Lift Surgery After Major Weight Loss

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Hi everyone. This is my first question for you all.

Okay so I'm 332 pounds and that means I have a long road a head of me before I get to my goal weight. My question is about after I do lose the weight. I've heard before that some people have to get reconstructive surgery called " A body lift" and the idea of it scares me.


I've researched it and it looks really intense, they even have to make you a new belly button!

So I'm asking if anyone can give me some tips for when I do look into. Where to go. How much it costs. Their experiences.

Replies

  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
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    Talk to you doctor and check with your insurance company. Sometimes they will cover surgeries for reconstruction after major weight loss depending on the amount of skin that needs to come off. Sometimes the doctors can persuade them into helping out too. Make sure you have a good doctor. Also, I have a whole bunch of ideas on keeping you skin tighter during weight loss. My motto with all skincare is that prevention is better than repair. (Seems like I've been copy and pasting this link a lot recently!) For an amount like you're looking to lose, it might not do enough, but it never hurts and you seem pretty young, so your skin might bounce back. The younger you are, the easier it'll naturally tighten.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/aquarabbit
    Also, I have had a breast reduction and while it's not as big of a deal as a full body reconstruction, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They give you nice drugs and as long as you take it easy and aren't a total type A (like me), you'll be fine. Again, just make sure you have a good doctor.
  • kazsjourney
    kazsjourney Posts: 263 Member
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    Ive lost 180 pounds with another 45 or so pounds to go. I will be starting to possibly look into it next year (dependent how it all looks at that point)...I would really suggest eat well, strength train, stay hydrated and get adequate sleep to help with your skin (some recommend moisturise treatments but that never made a difference for me)

    Also there are more options then just a body lift...it would be dependant on your situation and at that time the specialist/surgeon would go thru any options suitable for your body :)
  • My0WNinspiration
    My0WNinspiration Posts: 1,146 Member
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    Vitamin A and B5 are your friends.
  • coffeeMAME
    coffeeMAME Posts: 23 Member
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    it seems to be around 15,000, but other costs can bring it up do double because insurance realllllly doesn't like to cover it. I haven't had it yet but am looking to do so this summer. I lost 140lbs total, was 340lbs, now 200. its extensive, and recovery is hellish. i tihnk payment plans depend on your surgeon.
  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
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    I'd do it in a heartbeat. I've lost 130 lbs, and my skin is so damaged. My Dr. has said that once the skin gets to a certain point, you can't fix it via diet/exercise. Even slow weightloss and super hydration won't help.

    I look better, but nekkid? I dunno, LOL

    My insurance won't cover these kinds of surgeries.
  • SciranBG
    SciranBG Posts: 97 Member
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    From what I found, it looks extensive, painful, and leaves giant scars. Right now the only way I would consider it is if the cost was completely covered.

    Find a company and say they were a major contribution to your weight loss, or get a lot of social media hype, maybe someone will sponsor you, lol.
  • 7aneena
    7aneena Posts: 146 Member
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    Not everyone needs a full body lift, some people only needs arm lifts or tummy tuck and some people are fine without surgery. It does depend on how much weight you lost, how fast, your skin type, your age and a bunch of other factors.
    The cost varies greatly depending on where you are, for example the same procedure (arm lift) that costs 20,000$ in NYC, costs 6000$ in Miami. Obviously it also varies between doctors.
    Keep in mind though that plastic surgeons will not perform a surgery if you are above 30 BMI ( maybe in some special circumstances). So my advise is if you feel your skin is loosing elasticity if you lose weight quickly, slow down your weight loss. You'd want to minimize the amount of time you're living with loose skin while trying to reach 30 BMI, trust me :/
  • NikonPal
    NikonPal Posts: 1,346 Member
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    I’ve lost close to 200 pounds. I had initially thought about this type of surgery, but recently came to peace with what I have, given my age and the fact my body is still adjusting / reshaping through exercise & new lifestyle. You certainly have youth on your side.

    You’re smart to research early-on. The Cleveland Clinic website has some information you might like. From all that I have read most insurance companies do not pay – unless there is a valid “medical necessity.” Prices seem to vary by state.

    As suggested by others, I would be most concerned about having an experienced dr with a great reputation. You might be surprised how well you end up with proper nutrition, exercise, and slow weight loss.

    Good luck with everything. :)
  • epido
    epido Posts: 353 Member
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    While I can't really offer any input regarding surgery, since I haven't had it or looked into it (yet), the other thing you need to keep in mind is that is may take your skin a while to catch up to the rest of your body. I have read that it can take up to 2 years for your skin to completely recover after weight loss.

    I plan on beginning to look into plastic surgery once I reach my goal, and try to do it after I have maintained for a year. That way, I am giving my body at least a little bit of a chance to do it's thing first.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
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    I am hoping my skin isn't so bad.

    160 or so pounds lost when I reach goal weight.

    I think I would prefer having excess skin to having excess fat. But even at goal weight I would wait a while. It might shrink back to an acceptable point. I might gain muscles to fill in my arms and legs etc
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
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    I would suggest getting to that bridge before worrying about crossing it. You may find that you won't need it at all.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
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    I'd suggest waiting. This isn't really your issue yet. Work hard lose the weight and investigate this when you are much closer to goal...
  • bluemagic33
    bluemagic33 Posts: 284 Member
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    I just had the surgery done in January 2015 and the recovery is not that bad I was back to work , doing 12 hour shifts at almost 5 weeks. It's more discomfort and pain.. I had the lower body and the breast lift with augmentation done at the same time to the tune of 27,300 FMLA or Short terms dis can't be used, I am turning 50 in august and had not complications to healing, I quit smoking more than a year before the surgery. Definatly look better not real noticeable until I take my clothes off. I wear scrubs at work and only one person has said something to me about losing weight. So they hide it well, the boobs are little harder to hide lol.. The first day and the 4th day were the worst for me.. Don't get me wrong it's a long recovery but not near as bad as I anticipated it was going to be.
    Just do your research on your Dr and get go for several consulatations before you make your decision on who you will allow to transform your body. Go to realself.com and talk to others on there look as some before and afters on the procedure you a looking to have done as well as read reviews for plastic surgeons in your area.
  • pollypocket1021
    pollypocket1021 Posts: 533 Member
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    When you get to that point, talk to several board certified plastic surgeons. Get a good education and make a good choice for your body. God only gave you one. You get what you pay for.

    With regard to cost, insurance will sometimes cover costs for panniculectomy. That's the only one I ever see covered (ok, sometimes breast reduction >500g on each side). Hopefully you won't need anything that extensive.