Do You Need Skin Removal Surgery due to weight loss?

I didn’t ask originally, but how close to your goal weight were you when you had the surgery? I’m still losing, working out and not at my ultimate goal weight. Pretty close though. Yesterday, I pulled an old dress jacket out of storage that I had saved for many years. I was delighted to slip it on and it fit perfectly! A size 8! I wore it in my 30s! It seems unreal! I keep envisioning how great it would be without the loose skin.

Hi, I had gastric bypass 2 yrs ago. Best thing i ever did for myself as i was able to lose 145 lbs in order to have both total knee replacements done, and get a move on with my life now at 60! Had a couple complications of ulcers and a small bowel obstruction but all fixed up. I had excessive skin ans a fatty appron hanging down from which i dealth with lots of rashes. Wore support wear but anyway my surgeon reffered me for a abdominalplasty/ Panniculectomy. Lots of documentaion, about rashes and maintained weight for 8 months ect., denied by insurance. I worked with hoapital, self pay ...wasnt cheap but its done. Just because it can be done doesnt mean it should be, research possisble complications and %. Day 3 I had a bleed, felt faint, a drain bleed profusely. A 5 day stay with blood tranfusions, followed by and incisonal infection. Still self pay. Oh dear but im probabaly the 1%. But its going to be ok. I have a question. CT Scan of Abdomen shows multiple large hematomas. Ive been told that its best for my body to absorb vs revision surgery ro drain them. Hmm! I have more abdominal cramping now than i did right after surgery. Anyone have anything similar? I have sent appt. request to Mayos but my spouse wants to stay the current course. Thank you

That sounds very serious. Do they know what caused the bleed.

Im on a blood thinner Eliquis for Atrial Fib which was stopped before surgery and then i was giving myself Lovenox injections until night before surgery as prescribed. Day of diacharge i was instructed to resume my Eliquis starting with PM dose that day by the diacharging surgical resident. Before leavimg hospital nurses were changimg my dressings every shift along with drain dressimgs. I had heavy clot like dainage on all of them. Same continued at home. Next evening i stood up and the left drain bled large clots around drain. I think the bleed was happening in the hospital. I thought all was normal. So l dont know if letting the hemotomas be absorbed by my body is a normal thing, its going to take month, year. Is it too late, maybe ahould have been done within 48 hrs. 2 surgeons here say let body absorb. They also work together in same office. The one referred me to the other?? IDK

I see. That’s scary. Glad you’re better and on the mend. I hope they are right about the absorption.

I am going to need a panniculectomy. I have had skin just hanging since I had my son via c section. I was never given any bands to support after and so it just hangs there. Someone suggested I lose the weight I wanted to first. Sleeve last summer, down 85 lbs so far. My insurance most likely won't cover anything. I have a 25K max for bariatric surgery/skin removal. It basically covered half of my sleeve surgery and so anything beyond that isn't covered. I imagine it would be deemed medically necessary due to size and how low it sits and maybe that will help get some covered? Not sure.

@trin

Welcome to Mayo Connect and thank you for sharing your story. There is always risk in surgery, but you hope it never happens to you.

It might be worth getting a 2nd opinion on situation at Mayo. Wait till you find out if accepted and when the appointment will be schedule and then can decide if want to go.

What location did you apply to?

Rochester

I lost a total of 115 pounds since 2005. I had my upper arms done as well as a tummy tuck within the last 3 years. Best thing that I ever did. Before I had the surgery I had surgery to remove my gallbladder. At that time it wasn’t done laparoscopy it was an 8 inch incision, at that time the surgeon cut my stomach muscles. He told me I could have them reattached after I healed. Well I waited about 15 years later and had it done. My stomach muscles are now reattached and boy are they strong muscles. Insurance would not cover the procedure. I thought that insurance would kick in with having the previous gallbladder operation.

My priority list is as follows: neck (under chin), breast, lower abdomen, arms.