Brief Answer:
Good Afternoon, Sorry for the Delay

Detailed Answer:
I was with a client and could not be interrupted.

Doctors will not generally give a 'tummy tuck' until you have lost a significant amount of your excess weight and what is left, the sagging skin, is causing major problems like re-occurrence of a rash, inability to keep clean with recurrent infections or other such issues. I do not believe you would meet the criteria.

Rather, the best answer, as you know, is to actually lose the weight. I understand the many back operations have caused you chronic pain, most likely are chronically constipated, it hurts to move so your metabolism is low and one of your enjoyments in life is eating.

The answer to your question is a resounding "NO" as the weight lost from a tummy tuck is insignificant to the primary problem of pain control, especially in your case where losing body fat is the the way to go. You qualify to be placed on a pill to control your appetite. Please discuss this with your physician.

I also suggest you make an appointment with a Dietitian to work out a healthy meal plan for you that will do the following:

1. allow you to eat foods you like, but in a healthy portion to start weight loss
2. start you slowly on a strength and flexibility program with a request to have your doctor order a PT exercise program for you to engage in compatible with your age, physical condition and something you can do at home.
3.monitor your progress, pick you up when you fall and help you be a success at losing the weight which will help the pain.
4. provide you with menus.
5. Advise you on any needed supplements to not only meet your daily requirement, but to help with pain control as well.

Also, with pain you need to focus on using herbs and foods that decrease the inflammatory process which only aggravates the pain. Obesity causes inflammation. Certain foods, nutrients may decrease inflammation. I recommend a book called Your Nutrition Solution to Inflammation by XXXXXXX Tessmer, RD.

I hope I have more than answered your question. Feel free to ask any clarifications, but if I have answered your question satisfactorily, kindly close and rate this query. Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN

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Brief Answer:
Yes, actually it does . . .

Detailed Answer:
With this additional information it does change things. There may be a good chance that your insurance will cover removing that excess skin. It would definitely be worth a shot to discuss this with your personal doctor.

You are correct that this sagging skin (and, remember I have not physically examined you) being in the location it is in will contribute to increased pain in your back/sacral/lumbar area.

Your personal physician will have to evaluate you and with all the conditions you brought up, refer you to a surgeon who practices just in this area. You will then, after your personal physician does an exam and reviews/documents reasons for this referral, one will be set up for an evaluation from a surgeon who will review your case.

Yes, I suggest you take the steps to see if this will help alleviate some of your back pain. Please weigh, as I am getting the feeling you already are, the benefits vs. the risks of a surgery of this nature and of having to have general anaesthesia.

I still hold to my other advice, but you have stated your case now quite thoroughly and I now agree with you. I wish you the best. I certainly have a great deal of empathy for pain patients.

Please feel free to speak to me again if I can ever be of help to you.

Take care post-surgically, if this occurs, to get adequate protein and nutrients for healing.

Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN

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