Posts by quietgull62

Charles Murphy7 said:Hey everyone... I'm trying to do some digging regarding skin removal surgery after losing weight, and honestly, the whole thing just scares the life out of me!
I'm 22 years old, and I've been struggling with my weight since I was a little kid, despite fighting it constantly. About a year ago, I started working with a nutritionist, and through a really strict diet, I managed to drop 55kg. I still probably need to lose at least another 15-20kg... but now that I've already lost those 55kg, I have quite a bit of loose skin, which makes me wonder what my body is actually going to look like once I hit my goal weight... To be totally honest, I'm terrified of the surgery itself, the scars, and just everything that comes with it. Is it really as bad as people say??
Also, does anyone happen to know if Medicare still covers the costs for skin removal procedures? And would they even cover mine, considering I haven't had any surgical help to lose the weight in the first place? If they don't, does anyone have an idea of how much something like that might cost??
Thanks...

I suppose you should probably finish losing all the weight first, then maybe wait a while for everything to settle before even thinking about surgery. You're really young, and I guess there's a good chance your skin might tighten up quite a bit on its own—plus, it's never too late for plastic surgery later on. As for the money side of things, I don't know exactly. It's probably best to just go in for a consultation with a plastic surgeon. They'll surely give you the most accurate details, and an initial consultation doesn't obligate you to do anything.

James Richardson65 said:A colleague of mine just finished her check-up over at Mercury with an abdominal surgeon, and she's already gone through all the consultations... she's scheduled for surgery in about three weeks.
Her sister actually had her entire procedure done by that same surgeon, and then worked with the second nurse over at Dubrava too. People keep telling me that the doctor there is absolutely top-tier when it comes to tummy tucks.

Word on the street is that Dr. Željko Stanec is really the one to see for that kind of thing.

I mean, he’s basically a wizard when it comes to breast surgery! My sister actually went to him, and honestly, the results she got were just phenomenal...

Taylor Garcia66 said:This sounds incredibly convenient; I hadn't even heard of those silicone strips before... would you mind posting a photo of your midsection so I can get a better idea? It seems we're on similar timelines (only a few months apart); I had my bypass and now I'm waiting to do plastic surgery, but I'm losing hope that the skin will just retract on its own. They tell me I'm only 35 kg, but clearly, that isn't the whole story... I work in a library, so I'm constantly carrying heavy books, and I'm curious if I'd be able to get back to work after a month following the surgery. After my bypass, I was stuck at home for two months... Kitty hehehe

Regarding the recovery... honestly, it took me almost longer than it did after my bypass. It’s not just cutting away excess skin, you know; it involves reconstructing the entire abdominal wall—repairing the muscles—and that part actually hurts for quite a while. Even now, four months out from surgery, I still feel my abs working when I sit up from lying down. Though... I suppose I might be able to work, provided I only carry a couple of books at a time instead of a huge stack. I'd end up walking back and forth more often, which I guess is a sort of free fitness session...😂
Mind you, I had an open bypass, followed by a hernia repair right on the old scar. I'm not entirely sure what the process is like for laparoscopic procedures, but I'm certain your abdominal muscles were separated down the middle, just as thick as mine were. As it stands, I have a vertical scar where the old incision was—it's thin and barely keloids—and then a horizontal one above the pelvic area stretching from hip to hip, which definitely tucks into my underwear. I trust that in a year's time, it will all be almost invisible. As for pictures... I don't know, maybe I'll try to get some together in the next few days.
Greetings to everyone.🙂

Karen Young17
I guess if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't stress too much about the scar, especially since you're planning on getting plastic surgery anyway.
Those silicone sheets are actually just self-adhesive clear strips—they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes—made of silicone that helps normalize pigmentation and can help reduce or even prevent keloids from forming; they work on pretty much any scar. They tend to be more effective when the scars are fresh, though I suppose you can use them on older ones too. The manufacturer is Polytech, and you can pick them up at Rog Step (over on J. Gotovac street, near Kvatrić). Since my scar is quite long, I use the 30x2 size, which costs $83 and lasts about a month (the person told me it’s fine as long as it stays adhesive, so we'll see how long that actually takes). You wear them for 12 hours a day, then you just peel them off, wash them, and put them back on the film. That same manufacturer also makes a silicone gel for areas where a strip won't stay put, like your face or skin folds and stuff. Of course, you don't need a prescription for it. But honestly, since Kontrakel is $27 and I need four tubes a month, and Dermatix is $90 for a 15 ml tube—meaning I'd also need four tubes a month—this way is actually much more economical. And, just like any other scar treatment, you start applying it as soon as all the scabs have fallen off.

Richard Doyle11 said:To everyone doing whatever it takes for themselves, including getting an abdominoplasty: major props to your determination and courage..🙏🙏🙏
I see we have some Lap-band veterans here too (not in terms of age, but how long you've been banded/operated on). Honestly, I am so glad there are people here who have paved the way; seeing your stories makes things much easier for those of us just starting out like me..👍👍 👍

I am currently scheduled for my gastric band surgery this coming May, and I still have a long road ahead before any plastic surgery—as quietgull62 says, it's "too early for questions," but I have to disagree with her.. One of my biggest concerns regarding the band is the excess skin, and one of my main conditions for committing to all of this is knowing what the options are for fixing the skin issues afterward..
That is why I want all the information right now, just like most of the newcomers, I think..
Personally, five years ago, I lost 40 kg on my own through dieting and didn't end up with much loose skin back then. However, I hadn't gone through pregnancy yet, which is when my skin ended up stretched out like popcorn.. This time, I am starting my weight loss journey postpartum with 50 kg to lose, so I am fully aware there will be a mountain of excess skin this time around..😢

For now, I’m joining this thread and will be following along closely. I am truly happy to see this community gaining momentum...😍

And of course, the more photos, the better. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I am joining the other girls in requesting them..

Good luck to everyone!

First off, welcome to all the threads; I honestly think you’ve made the best possible decision for yourself.
I didn't mean anything bad when I mentioned to someone before that asking about plastic surgery might be a bit premature, but... well, things change. For instance, I don't have a single visible scar on mine, whereas some people who had their procedures a year ago still have those classic, obvious scars... and I even hear there have been issues lately with insurance companies like Medicare approving surgeries, or hospitals... I've heard that bariatric surgery isn't even being done at Dubrava anymore, nor in Indianapolis... so, in that sense, I just thought that things which are true today might not be relevant in a year or two by the time you're up for your procedure. Anyway, I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding any part of the whole process—provided I know the answer, since I see you're looking at the strip method while I had a bypass, so it's a bit different..
As for the decision itself: you really have to commit to the second half of the journey too. In my case, there was zero chance my skin would just snap back on its own: 110 pounds down and 50 years old... Now, my stomach looks phenomenal. And the scar? It's great in my opinion, though the doctor mentioned it could look even better—since I'm prone to keloids, he recommended silicone sheets, and I can tell you... you see results after just two weeks of use. I recommend them to everyone, and right away. There's no need to waste time with Contrakel or those other creams.

graniteviper19 said:But what about breasts? If they start sagging and deflate like balloons... does that count too? Does Medicare cover that, or am I stuck paying out of pocket?😲

I see you’re just starting out on this journey. Honestly, I think it might be a bit premature to be worrying about all that right now. You have the surgery first, then there's at least a full year of weight loss ahead of you... and until then—who knows if Medicare will even have the budget for any of this stuff! I guess I'm joking, obviously, but you really have plenty of time to stress over those things later.
Regarding breast surgery—honestly, I’m just not sure if Medicare would even cover something like that. I don't personally know anyone who has managed to get a breast augmentation covered through Medicare. I mean, I know reduction surgery is a possibility since there’s an actual medical indication for it, but a lift? I really don't know. In any case, I think you should probably focus on that final victory over the scale first, and then we can worry about the aesthetics once the time is right. Good luck!

Listen, everyone,
have you been applying anything to your scars (like Contrakel or Dermatix...)? It seems like some of you might be dealing with keloids, so I figured I’d ask... Mine look pretty good so far, though I'm just praying that keloids don't start showing up. I'm applying the stuff like crazy.
As for the rest of the plastic surgery stuff, I'm getting ready for more too. At my next check-up, I'm going to bring up my arms and 🙂...
Anyway, Holy Spirit Mayor Gveric doesn't even bother asking when the bariatric surgery was performed. He's only interested in how many pounds have been lost and whether the weight loss process has actually finished.
And regarding the photos... I think it's a bit premature. You really need to wait until the six-month mark to see them. Right now, they honestly just look like little lines...

Kenneth Howard5 said:What is actually the baseline requirement for getting cosmetic surgery—is it just hitting a healthy BMI, waiting two years after that, or perhaps two years following a gastric sleeve or Lap procedure? And who is responsible for officially signing off on the recommendation for plastic surgery?

In my case, the recommendation for my procedure was written by Dr. Velnić—he’s the doctor who took over from Prof. Kosuta (who actually performed my bypass). My impression is that he views a one-year window as the crucial period to shed whatever weight is going to come off. If the scale stops moving, then you've hit the limit, I guess. My BMI is sitting at 25.5 right now, and he calculated that before he ever signed off on my plastic surgery recommendation. So, it seems to me those are the actual criteria they look for.

Carol Price6 said:So... how are the post-op pains? How mobile can you actually get?? I mean, a C-section incision sounds absolutely brutal—everything from your gut downwards just aches... at least for me, since my digestive system is already a mess. I’m genuinely terrified about that part of the recovery, though I assume they aren't opening up your entire abdomen, just making an incision through the skin, right?? What’s the hospital situation like? Are there any private suites? After my time at Washington, D.C. General, I lost all desire to stay in four-bed wards and share a bathroom with men 😢

Anyway, my doctor at Dubrava Basketball Club told me they can't fix my stretch marks—I have about a million of them... And what happens to the belly button? Do they remove it? Mine hangs almost down to my floor... look, I know I'm being self-critical, but I've simply never looked like this in my life, and I've never felt this insecure or dissatisfied... Plus, I am incredibly, deeply terrified of this procedure because waking up from anesthesia is a nightmare for me. I always get terrible nausea, and my blood pressure goes haywire every single time because of those drugs they pump into you during surgery..

For those first 48 hours... you get analgesics, starting with continuous relief, and then just as needed later on. You’ll wake up with a urinary catheter (thank God), so you don't have to worry about getting up during that first 24-hour stretch if you aren't feeling up to it. I personally struggled quite a bit because the dizziness was just too much. Once I received a blood transfusion—though I've always had issues with my blood counts, I guess—I started feeling better within a few hours, so I managed to get myself up by the afternoon. As for waking up from the anesthesia, I suppose that depends entirely on your anesthesiologist. You really ought to sit down with them before the surgery and lay out all your medical concerns. Personally, I didn't feel nauseous, mostly because they kept me on Reglan via IV the whole time to prevent any vomiting. I actually found it a bit harder to wake up this time around compared to my first surgery, even though that one was technically more intense. Maybe the anesthesiologist during my first procedure was just more attentive. It’s such a shame she wasn't available to handle my anesthesia this time; she was away on vacation.
I haven't really had any major issues with my bowels, though I suppose you always have to wait for things to get moving again after any kind of anesthesia (and an enema, too). That very first bowel movement can be a bit of a struggle, I guess. Once I got back home, I ended up taking some Dulcolax. It’s not like it just completely opens you up, obviously, but it helps—since the muscles actually have to coordinate, and it isn't exactly just skin...
Look, I can't sit here and lie to you and say there isn't any pain. There is. My muscles are aching where they were joined, the liposuction site is hurting, my skin feels incredibly tight, and my whole abdomen is still numb—it really is. But honestly, maybe it’s all just a small price to pay for the satisfaction I'm getting. Believe me on that.
The conditions at the hospital aren't exactly stellar, unfortunately. The plastic surgery ward—we used to call it the "beauty room"—only has four beds, so it’s pretty cramped, and you have to share a restroom since there aren't any private suites. I guess you should probably prepare yourself for that ahead of time. That said, the nurses are mostly wonderful and incredibly dedicated, and those four days tend to fly by really fast. I don't think that should be a dealbreaker for you. Having a positive attitude and staying motivated is what matters most; if you do that, everything just seems to go a bit easier.
Stretch marks... well, I wouldn't say they've all vanished for me either, but honestly, you should just go ahead and remove that patch of skin where they're most visible. I mean, I still have them, obviously, but compared to how things used to look... Good grief, Shakira!
I have a new one. It feels like it might be sitting a bit high, but I guess that’s probably just because my last one spent the better part of twenty years sitting on the floor...
I’m 49 years old now. Looking back, I honestly regret not doing all of this much sooner. I suppose that’s my answer regarding the whole fear aspect of it all. It’s only natural to be afraid, I guess, because you tell yourself that maybe you won't actually have to deal with the sleep issues, or that it's just about looks... But appearance really does matter, perhaps more than we care to admit sometimes. You should really sit with it, get a good night's sleep, and then make your choice. I’m fairly certain you won't regret it. As for me, I went through my first gastric bypass after losing a significant amount of weight and thinking it over deeply, and I am so happy I made that call. This particular procedure wasn't even the hard part for me. I think I might actually go even further with it. I’ll probably make that final decision this fall.

Oh right, you were asking about the wait times... I guess it’s somewhere in the ballpark of one to two months. They don't perform surgeries during the summer—it's just honestly way too hot for the binder and the incisions, though I suppose you could go check and see. You'll probably have all your tests wrapped up just in time for autumn...

Carol Price6 said:Hi there.

I'm actually glad this thread exists... I've had two C-sections, and now my stomach is literally hanging past my hips 😢 My second one was a nightmare because my skin was so loose that the incision became inflamed almost immediately 😢 Even though I managed to squeeze back into my old clothes, nothing fastens anymore—this extra skin has basically bumped me up three sizes... I already went in for a consultation at Dubrava Basketball Club, but the surgeon did nothing but look horrified at the state of my skin. He claimed he hadn't seen a case this bad in years, yet he offered zero explanation regarding the procedure itself or the recovery process... All he told me was that I need to wait at least a full year after a C-section before even considering this kind of surgery..
Can anyone share how the recovery goes?? The only thing I’ve managed to find out is that the incision is just as large as the C-section scar and they join the skin at the old site...... Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anything as revolting as my own reflection; I'm absolutely devastated by it, feeling disgusted with myself, while my husband keeps trying to comfort me, saying I'm still beautiful and that this will all be fixed eventually... By the way, how long is the wait for the operation?? I have no idea where I'd even go for this—with two toddlers, the only time I can carve out for myself is two minutes to run to the bathroom, and I wouldn't dream of stepping foot in Dubrava again. That doctor didn't inspire any confidence whatsoever; he just made me feel worse with his comments, not to mention the stares from the medical students 😢

First off, please don't be so hard on yourself; you haven't seen what some of us have gone through. We’re talking multiple births, followed by weight fluctuations hitting 260 pounds or even more, then losing it, and repeating that cycle several times... Can you even imagine what those stomachs looked like?! But hey, thank God there's a solution.
I actually sat with this young woman recently who didn't have those wild weight swings—just two kids, carrying a few extra pounds, and a sagging belly. I'm pretty sure she's just as happy with the results as I am.
As for the recovery... I guess it takes a bit longer than I originally anticipated, but all in all, it seems like four weeks should be enough.
Regarding the surgery itself... I had a different procedure before, which involved a vertical incision from the sternum down to the navel. My current incision follows that same path—from the sternum to the new belly button, then continuing below the navel where it meets the horizontal cut. This horizontal part sits above the bikini area but is longer than a standard C-section incision, stretching from one hip to the other. I truly believe these incisions are highly individual and depend entirely on the specific case. For me, they performed an abdominal wall reconstruction—repairing all the separated muscles both above and below, placing a mesh over the site of my old hernia, removing a few pounds of excess skin, and performing liposuction on the spots where the fat just wouldn't budge despite dieting. My old scar was keloided (thickened), so he just excised it along with the extra skin. Now, everything is tight. The stretch marks are almost gone, and my stomach is flat and firm. Overall: a total transformation. The scars are thin, and I really hope they stay that way; it's vital to take care of them now and wear a compression garment so those keloids don't return. If they look like they do now... well, they won't even be noticeable in a year.
If I were you, I'd go see Holy Spirit Mayor Gveric—the plastic surgery clinic is open on Mondays. I think you need to make an appointment. You might be able to do it via email if that's easier, through the central booking system. The doctor is absolutely wild but very charming, and I'm certain he'll find a solution for you. During my first consultation, he actually asked me, "Wait, did you lose 110 pounds? Are you a Shar Pei now?"
The moment I got undressed, he showed me exactly what he would cut away and where he would tighten things up... He even suggested a few other procedures beyond just the abdominoplasty, but we're taking it one step at a time. I finished this part, and I'll move on to the rest... slowly and steadily.
I hope this helps. If there's anything else you want to know—just ask! Good luck, and don't talk yourself out of the procedure; the satisfaction is priceless!

Well, yeah...
After dealing with all of this and finally taking a look at my midsection—I guess I'm pretty sure I'll be heading back for more plastic surgery...🙂 hehehe...

I went in for my first follow-up today, and I finally got to see the actual incisions—he took off all the dressings and the Aquacel. Honestly, it looks phenomenal!!! My stomach is flat, and the cuts... they’re just tiny little lines, almost like thin threads! There aren't even any visible stitches—I sort of expected that, though there's this slight sensation near my new belly button, which feels a bit like there's a foreign object in there, but I suppose I'll get used to it. It feels a little high up, somehow. 🤷But then again... hmmm... for years now, my belly button had been... well, hanging quite low along with my midsection. All things considered, I am just so happy. Now I'm just being diligent about applying Contrakel, and that should be it. I asked him about using Dermatix, but he told me it's basically the same thing, just overpriced. No point. I think I might do a little more Googling on the subject. I can even head to the beach, though I still have to wear the compression garment for a total of six weeks. Actually, I feel more secure wearing the binder, and it doesn't even bother me that much, which was what I was dreading most given how hot it is out.
So, yeah, that's my update.🙂

Taylor Garcia66 said:Something else just popped into my head—not a brick this time, haha
How much sick leave do you think I'll actually need after pulling a muscle in my abs?

I suppose it’s all pretty individual, I guess, and it really depends on what kind of job you have. An acquaintance of mine was out for two and a half months. Recovery is actually moving way slower than I originally anticipated. Honestly, after my open bypass surgery, I felt better than I do right now?! Mind you, I’m dealing with some menopause symptoms too, so maybe everything is just piling up at once, but regardless, things still feel tight and painful. I can't really handle long walks, and I'm not allowed to do any physical labor... I find being incapacitated of any kind to be the hardest part, which is honestly so frustrating, but oh well, I suppose this too shall pass...
As for medical leave, I only just started it yesterday because I was using up my old vacation days. My doctor gave me a month right away. After that, I'll be taking my new vacation time, so I should be back at work by September 1st. By then, hopefully, I'll be my old self again...🤷

Taylor Garcia66 said:I really have to applaud the decision to start this thread!!! Bravo!!! Now we finally have a complete timeline to look back on, from the before to the after...
I can't quite remember if I've already asked you, Mayo, or maybe I did... but was that process handled through Medicare back in Washington, D.C.? It honestly makes zero sense that they can facilitate it in Cleveland but not here at home... I mean, if we're forced to pay out of pocket around here, something feels fundamentally broken, and frankly, I don't have the extra cash lying around for something like this. If that's the case, I’d just have to make the trip to Cleveland, which isn't exactly a disaster, but if it's doable right here, that would be much better. I'm reaching my limit and getting closer to making the final call to fix my skin, so every little detail matters to me right now. And Mayo, please, do us all a favor and post a few photos—show us that bare stomach of yours and yourself too... I can't quite recall if my memory is serving me right, but I don't think I've actually seen a photo of you yet... Kitty hehehe

Everything still feels very fresh for me, but I can already say I would do it all over again for this result. Regarding the cost, I didn't pay anything personally, but I also had a hernia, so I assume the surgery was medically necessary.
The prep work... well, here's how it went: My first meeting with Dr. Gveric was sometime in April. I could have had the surgery sooner, but because of my job, I begged for the latest possible date before my summer vacation.
I went through the standard battery of tests required for anesthesia. I don't think I need to repeat all that here since we've all been through the same routine.
I was admitted to the hospital on Monday. For lunch, I just had some chicken soup, nothing else. In the afternoon, I had to do an enema. The next morning was a full shave. Then, straight to the operating room. They marked me up and took photos there. The surgery lasted about five and a half hours. They sent me back to my room that evening. The first night was okay. As long as the continuous analgesia is running, everything is fine. The first day wasn't exactly great, though: it was painful, and since I was receiving a blood transfusion, the nurse wouldn't give me pain meds at the same time (to avoid some kind of reaction, I guess?!). By the afternoon, I managed to get up, they removed my catheter, and by that night, I was already going to the bathroom on my own. On Friday, they pulled the drains, and then—home. It still hurts a bit and half my abdomen feels numb, but it’s nothing unbearable. I just take some Advil 400 and I'm good. The instructions are: light walking and absolutely no heavy lifting. My follow-up and first bandage change is on July 5th. I just have these little marks on my stomach, which wasn't even that tight to begin with... hmmm... I don't think that ever happened with me before... hehehe...
There are no external stitches, so I'm hoping the scars will be thin.
As for pictures... just wait until they get these foils off me, and besides, I'm pretty sure I don't have any old photos! That's something I wouldn't want to look at ever again, so I definitely didn't take any!😂

Carol Howard19 said:Alright ladies, I figured I’d jump in here and weigh in on this thread too.
I had my surgery just four days before Maya, and let me tell you—those first 48 hours are absolutely brutal. But looking back two weeks later? I wouldn't hesitate for a second to do it all over again.
Just like Maya, I was under the care of Dr. Gveric at the Holy Spirit hospital, and honestly, I can't say enough good things about him and the entire medical staff there.
As for my stomach... well, you wouldn't even guess I've already had two kids. It's still pretty swollen right now, but if this is how it looks today, I can only imagine how much better it'll look once everything finally settles back into place.
Girl greetings! If any of you have more questions, we're all here to help each other out.
Kitty hehehe😉

Hehehe... welcome back, queen!👍

Jonathan Perez88 said:I’m curious—how much do these doctors actually take out? Can you even see the bypass scar anymore? Like, did that 6-inch incision shrink down to 2 inches or what? And do they actually reconstruct a new belly button, or is that just a myth?

I'm not entirely sure how much excess skin was removed, but I will say this—everything feels very tight now! I actually left the hospital weighing about 10 pounds less. I suspect maybe 4 or 5 pounds stayed on the operating table. As for the bypass scar... well, that entire area was just removed, and since I had a hernia there too, they put in a mesh. They also reconstructed a new belly button for me. There aren't any visible stitches along the incisions either—they are all internal, so the cuts just look like thin lines that should fade away if you take care of them properly. They'll be almost invisible eventually.

goldenpilot4 said:I’m curious about something too—if you've gone under the knife multiple times (personally, I'm a bit of a skeptic about the whole thing, so I imagine I'd need work done on my arms, stomach, breasts, glutes, and legs)—do people usually tackle everything in one or two sessions, or is it all handled separately?

Well, an abdominoplasty is quite a long surgery, and Dr. Robert Hayes doesn't usually like to combine it with other things. Before my surgery, he told me it would take up to seven hours. It didn't. It took about five and a half.
I suppose I still need two more procedures myself, so maybe there is some way to combine them...

I had my surgery at the Holy Spirit hospital under Dr. Gveric. Even though I still have that incision from the open abdominal bypass, he didn't see any issues with it at all. From what I can tell so far—though everything is still incredibly fresh, I guess—my abdomen looks absolutely phenomenal! I’m really hoping the rest of my recovery continues along this same path.
During my first follow-up, Dr. Gveric suggested I look into breast augmentation combined with brachioplasty and thigh lifts. I haven't decided if I'll go through with all of that yet (since we're talking about two more major surgeries, after all), but... I suppose I'll just see.

After nearly two years of checking in regarding the gastric bypass journey, and having finally won my battle against the weight, I suppose I’ve reached the end of this particular road. And I know I'm not alone in this stage. Our focus has definitely shifted toward corrective procedures now that the massive weight loss is behind us. About ten days ago, I underwent tummy tuck surgery. Essentially, it was a reconstruction of the abdominal wall to remove the excess skin, fix a post-op hernia, and include some liposuction.
Is there anyone else out there who has gone through something similar? I think exchanging experiences might actually be helpful...