I started off at 382 and now I am at 174. I have a LOT of loose skin. I recently went to consult with the plastic surgeon to see about having skin removal surgery. Here is a copy of my post in the VSG group -

Last week I had a consultation with the plastic surgeon. I want to have skin removal on my stomach, tummy tuck, arms, breasts, and thighs done. He wanted to focus on what he thought would make the biggest difference and what would be partially covered by insurance, which is the stomach. He wants to do a panniculectomy (skin removal) with extended abdominoplasty (tummy tuck/muscle tightening) and belt lipectomy (lower body lift). Basically I will be cut both horizontally and vertically, and tightened and lifted. Trust me, I need all of this. I am hoping to have it done this summer.

So here are some things that people asked me about -

Cost - approximately $20,000 without insurance. I was told my insurance would cover $8,000 to $10,000 and I would have to cover the rest. I am currently waiting for the insurance approval. The insurance covers skin removal only. They said occasionally it's denied, but usually with an appeal it gets approved.

Recovery - The surgeon said he had a tummy tuck and he went back to work after a week, but took it easy. He said I can resume exercise (excluding abdominal exercise) after two weeks. Drains have to stay in for about 4 weeks. They want you up and walking around as soon as possible.

Scarring - there will be scars, but the sutures are under the skin so the scars won't be as bad as some scars, and he said mine would heal fine. He also said that the surgery will eliminate a lot of my stretch marks.

Other information -

Skin removal on my arms - surgeon said normally he would have to do liposuction first but he won't have to in my case. The arm surgery also removes the overhang that some of us ladies have when we wear a bra. I plan to do this surgery as soon as I can after the stomach surgery.

Skin removal on thighs - surgeon said he would have to do liposuction in advance of this surgery and some will have to be done during the surgery. He said I could have the lipo on my thighs before the stomach surgery if I want to and I might just do that.

Fat transfer - I asked the surgeon if he could do fat transfer to my breasts and he said that it really doesn't give the desired effect. He said I would do better with lift/implants. They do fat transfer to plump up the face sometimes.

Weight of excess skin - he said usually he removes 5-10 lbs of skin during this surgery, but I might have more than that, and he said after the surgery many of his patients also end up losing about another 5 lbs.

5555price, I was 386 at my highest, 222 now and I too want to get down below 200. Like you I have a lot of excess skin, arms, stomach, thighs. Even my behind is starting to fold over the top of my thighs. I too want it all removed, but am being told the insurance will not cover anything but the stomach and that because I have 2 hernias to fix, so that creates a tummy tuck. The thing I find most annoying is my waist is a size 16 but my thighs are a size 22. Same with the arms, so everything has to be stretchy or a wide leg in pants or I can't wear it, And the way the thighs and arms undulate when I move is embarrassing. I swear, I'm going to fake a nervous breakdown and see if I can get the insurance company to cover this as an emotional disorder.

Guess I need to start saving a bit more. I'm definitely thinking of the tummy tuck, but I haven't had infections, so I don't think insurance will cover. My thighs are my vain point and so I want to get those done too. I want to be able to wear shorts in the summer without feeling like everyone's looking at my saggy elephant wrinkles.

I am 8 years out, lapband, I went from 312 to 140, band slipped, gained back 80 and am currently sitting at the 190 mark. I have about 40 left before I will have my lower body lift done, however I had my upper body lift done the end of Jan. The second greatest thing I have ever done for myself (the first being my lapband). I had to pay for mine out of my pocket and it cost $15,000, but it was worth every penny!

I'm considering upper body (arms, breasts) or lower body (thighs, abdomen). Each is about $10,000-$15,000 and not covered by my insurance since no medical problems.

The surgery doesn't sound the scary from what my plastic surgeon described. I tell myself it's like cutting myself and getting stitched up. It's just skin-deep, not terribly invasive for me since no liposuction is required. Back to work in two weeks.

I'm hearing you Moe0112. I am five weeks since surgery and can't imagine going under the knife again. But, maybe in a year or so, I will be considering it...lol

I hate my batwings, they are looking pretty bad already.

Cheers Chris

Karlottap wrote: »

@Trajay33, most insurance will pay for plastic surgery if there is a documented (by your pcp) problem that is continual. But you must have documented treatment too, in most cases. If it's making your back hurt, go to your doctor for it. If you don't see improvement with the treatment, then you can ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your response, I looked in to it years ago prior to weight loss surgery and I was told about the physical therapy. I gained weight and it wasn't as bad. But now it's back again and worse. I will pursue it once again. I appreciate your time.

My husband is 15 months out of his sleeve. He had 4 hernias repaired on Wednesday and a skin removal on his stomach. It was covered entirely by insurance (except the deductable) because of the hernias. The surgeon said he couldn't fix the hernias without removing skin. He basically has an upside down T on his abdomen. All his scars from previous hernia surgery and his sleeve are gone, the surgeon removed about 5lbs of skin from that small area.

I actually just scheduled a consultation today! I'm 5'10, my highest weight was 350, about 320 when I started the pre-op diet for surgery, and I'm about 185 right now. I'm 18 months out from surgery. I'd still like to lose some more weight, but the bariatric surgeon suggested I go ahead and get the consultation and see what the plastic surgeon recommends. Oh, and they told me ball park for a total body lift is 20k. EEK. I don't think that includes arms, legs, or bust. And it's likely 2-3 surgeries, depending on how much you have done. I'll know more next week!!