Question:
How many pounds above goal weight can I be before a tummy tuck?
I still have 40 or 45 pounds left to get to my goal weight, but I hate having this 'apron' hanging down. It hinders my ability to exercise and is really very unsightly. I would like to have a tummy tuck right now. I was wondering what your doctors have told you about the right time to consider a tummy tuck. For all I know I may only lose another 20 pounds or maybe even nothing more at all. I just can't see lamenting over this problem for much longer. Can anyone share what you have been told? By the way, I am down from 235 to 160 and I'm 5'3", apple shaped, female. {{{Thank you}}}. — [Anonymous] (posted on April 6, 2000)
April 6, 2000
It's tough waiting but I've been told by all to wait as long as possible
before the tt. Two considerations guide me at this point: obviously the
additional loss will create more flap which I want to get rid of but also
there's a notion in the insurance industry that the rapid weight loss from
this surgery is what sometimes makes it qualify for reimbursement (believe
it or not!) The magic number seems to involve a year's time and a 100
pound loss or more. That's most of us... so if you wait till you've lost
100 pounds(if you can/do) and if you make your request within a year of
your wls surgery date, I think you optimze your chances of best surifgical
result and best chance for insurance coverage. It worked for me in any
event.
— Carol M.
April 6, 2000
Hi. My doctor told me that I had to wait until I was one year post op
before I had any plastic surgery.
— Marjie W.
April 6, 2000
I forgot to tell everyone that answered my post that I am almost one year
post op. That's why I'm not sure that I will lose any more weight. I've
been at a stand still. Thank you for your answers. I appreciate the
feedback.
— [Anonymous]
April 6, 2000
Hi, my surgeon suggested I begin checking into a tummy tuck at my 6 month
check up. BUT, he only suggested that because I have a spot on my stomach
that healed in a funny way and sticks up. It's hard to describe, it's like
a swollen spot on the right side of my tummy, about where my liver is. So,
that was the reason for the push for a tummy tuck. And up to that point I
had lost about 80 pounds too. Since then, I have lost another 20+ pounds
and have also seen the plastic surgeon who said that, since my weight loss
is slowing down, it would be all right to begin the process of submitting
paperwork to the insurance company to try and get it covered by them. In
addition to the TT I am going to try and get a breast lift/reduction. Of
course, I had to have problems associated w/ the excess skin and sagging
breasts, of which I had no problem documenting. Hope this helps...Good
Luck...
— Marni
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