Your Questions
Your Questions
Q: I read your blog on plastic surgery after a large amount of weight loss. I’m pretty sure that you broke my heart, but I’m glad you wrote the reality. I am so completely disappointed. I joined a sight that said men donate to women like me for breast lift and breast augmentation surgeries. I now know that it’s hopeless. I am on disability and have no way to pay for these procedures. It would take me many years to save for the procedures I need desperately. I only wish that if medicaid or medicare could understand that these procedures are needed and not just for cosmetic reasons. Having low self esteem, a feeling of complete hopelessness, depression, and anxiety are all factors they should consider too. I really hoped that when I lost most of my weight that I would once again be nice looking. I used to weigh almost 280 pounds and I am now 145 pounds. It did not make one bit of difference because now I have sags and hanging skin. I would do anything to look good and feel confident again. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Please remind people who can and do succeed with their procedures that they are lucky and truely blessed.
A: The unfortunate reality is that cosmetic surgery is not free nor are any health insurances going to pay for elective body contouring surgeries. This is of great disappointment to many massive weight loss patients that understandably feel that their loose hanging skin poses many physical as well as psychological problems. Even in the few body contouring procedures that some insurances may cover, such as a panniculectomy, plastic surgeons are very hesitant to do them because the reimbursements are so low, they take a lot of work with potential complications and there are always medico-legal risks and exposure.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Hello, I am 22 years old and am currently on my journey to lose at least 80 lbs which would put me at 5’4 and 115 lbs. That being said I realize mine is an ambitious goal and I also know that a lot of skin will be leftover when I get there. So i am interested in abdominoplasty, mini or full depending on what is decided at consultation and also breast implants and butt implants might be of interest too. But we’ll talk about that particular idea when I get where I am going. I have a couple questions:
* how much will a high profile gel, hopefully via armpit run me?
* do you accept payment through www.myfreeimplants.com
* would there be a small discount because i will at least be combining the breast and abdomnial surgeries,
* how much is abdominoplasty,
* and finally, if I added up all three abdominoplasty, breast augmentation and gluteal implants, what about would be my total?
A: I applaud you setting an ambitious but achieveable weight loss goal. Going from near 200 lbs down to 115 lbs would be a good achievement and, as you have predicted, will result in some significant loose extra skin from the arms down to the thighs. While it is impossible to accurately predict what you may need, there are some relative certainties. Your abdominoplasty would not be a mini- but would be a full. A breast lift will likely be needed in addition to getting breast implants. An implant alone will not lift a breast. Butt implants are not a solution for a sagging butt anymore than a breast implant alone solves a sagging breast.
In your search for plastic surgery costs, look for some general pricing from plastic surgeon’s websites for a full or complete abdominoplasty ($6500 to $8500) and breast lifts with implants. ($ 7,000 to $ 9,000) This will help you think about setting some financial goals as well.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana