By: Sandi Henderson

There I was, 250 pounds lighter after lap band surgery and enjoying my new life and freedoms.  I knew I wanted plastic surgery.  I was terrified, but I was tired of tucking my stomach skin into my pants and always having to buy long tops to hide it.  I didn't work this hard and lose all of this weight to stay in hiding.  Or did I?  I was healthy and that alone was great, but I found myself really wanting to have what "normal" people had - a reasonably proportioned body.

It took me about a year to research plastic surgery options and plastic surgeons before I decided on a doctor and scheduled my first surgery.  In this year I discovered that there were many things that went into the decision of who would do my plastic surgery, but these are the 7 that were most important to me.

1. Interview several doctors. 
   You have to know what the possibilities are before you can make a selection that works for you.  This pertains to the surgeon as well as the procedure. 
2. Access is important. 
   You will require follow up care for drain removal and many post op visits, so you need to know before surgery how you will get to the doctor for follow up.  It is also important to consider how you will access the doctor should you have any complications.
3. Experience with weight loss surgery patients is important. 
   We come with our own unique challenges to plastic surgeons, so the more surgeries after weight loss your selected surgeon has performed, the more familiar with our population your surgeon will be.  Don't be afraid to ask how many weight loss surgery patients your doctor has experience with.
4. You must be totally comfortable with this doctor. 
   You want someone who is compassionate, highly skilled, and available.  You are entrusting your life as well as your emotional well being to this person.
5. Let your weight stabilize for at least 6 months before having surgery.
   I know as soon as we get close to our goal weight we want to rush right into it and get all that excess skin removed, BUT DON'T.  Your body keeps shifting around even after all the excess weight is gone.
6. You want a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
   Someone who has actually had their training in plastic surgery.
7. Make sure the surgeon uses an accredited facility for his surgeries.
   Be it a hospital, outpatient surgery center or the surgeon's own office.

These guidelines are one patient's perspective and are offered to help you make a decision that you can be happy with for years to come.

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