Reviews you can trust, from real people like you.
How it works
- Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
- This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
- Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
- Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.
If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.
Sort by:
*Treatment results may vary
First I'd like to tell you about myself and how I...
First I'd like to tell you about myself and how I got here. I'm 67 yrs. old, 5ft 3, 200lb. Healthy and pretty active.
The first time I had an issue with excess skin was in 1972 after the birth of my son. I was 23.
In 1997, I had a hysterectomy and while joking with my physician about having my excess skin cut off,
He said, "Do you realize what all has to be done in order to have that skin removed?" At that point, I'm realizing I'll have this skin forever. I've always worn a longer top in hopes to hide it. I'm sure some people still could see it. Plus, when it got sweaty under the skin, it would get red, sore, raw, so uncomfortable for about a week. I even had some scaring.
In 2011, I had a physical with my PCP and weighing in at 274 lbs she says," For the last couple of years, your sugar has been slowly elevating, and so has your weight. Theres now a shot that you can give yourself every day to help your sugar and it also has an appetite suppressent in it." My answer to her, "Thats not going to happen." When I got home I started counting calories, eating healthy, exercising, ect. ect. At the end of 1 year, I had lost 80 lbs, on my own! I was so PROUD of myself. I finally had some control over my weight. I was looking great. Enjoying all my new clothes. After all, I used to wear a 3x top and 20-22 slacks. NOW I'm wearing a Large top and 12P slacks. I'm feeling so good about myself and looking in the mirror everyday. BUT...........
now that excess skin is hanging lower and it looks worse than before. I'm starting to think about it more since I've lost the weight. I had been talking with my Curves coach about my skin and she kept encouraging me to find a Plastic Surgeon and find someone to talk to.
In the beginning of 2014, I decided it was time to see what could be done to have my skin removed. I knew with all these people having lost so much weight and having excess skin, there had to be someone out there who could help. I told my husband that I had decided to see about having the excess skin removed. What was his thoughts and since it would be cosmetic, if we could afford it financially. He supported me 100% and encouraged me to get started. I didn't know of anyone that had plastic surgery who might reccommend someone. I started calling and searched on the computer. I had contacted 3 other surgeons. After each appointment my husband and I would discuss our views. Still, I wasn't quite comfortable with any one of them. I made an appointment with my PCP. I had been pleased with the Drs. she had referred me to in the past. I was telling her I had decided to get my excess skin removed and had already seen 3 Plastic Surgeons. And she says, "You need to talk to Dr. Kress. With as many patients that I see in my office, who have had plastic surgery, Dr. Kress always seems to go that little extra."
I made my appointment with Dr. Kress. I told him I wanted to have my excess skin removed. He was very Professional and listened to everything I said. He answered all my questions without hesitation. He also asked me questions. He made me feel comfortable and that I could trust him. He left the room and his assistant took some pictures. When he came back in, he discussed with me what he could do. Remove my excess skin, lipo. and finish up with a tummy tuck. He also discussed with me, pre-op, day of surgery and post-op and what to expect and what I had to do. I received a statement of my financial responsibility and I told Dr. Kress I'd think about it and let him know.
I knew when my husband and I left his office that he would be doing my surgery.
I called Dr. Kress's office and set up an appt. to sign my papers for surgery. At that time, everything was explained to me again about pre-op, day of surger, post-op. My surgery date was Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, 7:30am. I had blood work to do and prescriptions to fill. 1 1/2 weeks till surgery. I was so excited about the skin issure and scared, too. I trusted Dr. Kress and he had assured me that everything would be fine.
Day of Surgery: My surgery was at the Frederick Surgical Center. I arrived at 6:30 to sign in. It wasn't long before a nurse came for me and took me back so she could prep me. After I was ready, she brought my husband back to keep me company until surgery. The nurse checked on me a couple time making sure I was comfortable. The Anesthesist came and talked about what he was going to do, especially making sure I'd be comfortable during the surgery. And Dr. Kress came by and talked about the surgery and to assure me that everything would be okay. I still had a hard time believing I was finally getting my skin removed. Tip: Frederick Surgical Center is a nice facility. Friendly staff.
Recovery Room: I can remember my husband telling me to take deep breaths. He told me that my surgery went real good. And I did meet my night nurse. That was required by the surgical center as my operation was out-patient. I don't know who dressed me to come home. I remember getting into the car but not how I got home and into the house. I do remember later that evening, feeling down the front of me. I was told about the shaper/compression garmet that I would be in and 2 drains. First time I felt the skin was gone. My nurse was in touch with Dr. Kress that evening. I was resting comfortable, no pain, not sure of what was going on.
Week 1 post-op: My nurse left this morning. I slept comfortable on the sofa. Dr. Kress's office called to check on me and gave me a phone # incase I needed anything, anytime. I slept most of the time, when I wasn't getting up for a walk every hour or so. Pain when I had to stand up and sit back down. Even had to walk hunched over. Really motivating slowly. Couldn't have done that without my caregiver. Had appointment with Dr. Kress 4 days after surgery. Tummy tuck incision dowm at my bikini line. Took off the bandage. Bruising. Little tapes over my surgery area. No redness. First look at the area where my skin used to be. WOW! Checked my drains. Now I can shower!
2nd Week post-op: Still slept and rested but not as much as last week. Still painful standing up and sitting down. I had tv to watch, telephone, book to read, puzzle books to work. When I felt like it. Caregiver was very helpful. Appointment with Dr. Kress to get the sticky tape taken off my incision area. Stitched on the inside. Not red. Looks good. Bruising. Checked drains. Smaller compression garmet.
Week 3 post-op: I might rest during the day now. Feeling pretty good. Even the pain is getting better. I'm still needing help walking. Don't need to hunch over when I walk. Walking outside. Appointment with Dr. Kress to finally get these drains taken out! Cooking lightly. Only been going to the drs. since surgery because of the drains, hadn't driven, either. I was anxious to return to church that Sunday. I always visit my Mother afterwards. When I got back home that afternoon, I knew I had done to much and was so tired.
Week 4 post-op: Feeling lots better. I can now get myself up and down. Pain lots better. Still wearing the shaper. Getting outside for a nice walk. Cooking and light housework. Can't lift over 10lbs. Good to get out of the house for awhile and shop.
Dr. Kress has taken very good care of me through out this procedure. He has such a gentle bedside manner, soft spoken and sure of himself. Professional and he cares about his patients. I felt if there was a problem, he could take care of it. I had a lot faith and trust in him.
1 year Post-op: I'm feeling wonderful! Its hard sometimes to believe the skin is gone and I catch myself looking in the mirror. I want to say I now feel "free' of it. No more long tops. I'm forever smoothing my top down the front to see how flat that area is now. I've kept my weight down and am looking and feeling good about myself.
You can hardly see my abdonimal scar. No dog ears. Could have had more taken out of the lipo. area. I'm please with the results and have no regrets!
I haven't had my after pictures taken. When I get them, I will post my before and after pictures at that time.
The first time I had an issue with excess skin was in 1972 after the birth of my son. I was 23.
In 1997, I had a hysterectomy and while joking with my physician about having my excess skin cut off,
He said, "Do you realize what all has to be done in order to have that skin removed?" At that point, I'm realizing I'll have this skin forever. I've always worn a longer top in hopes to hide it. I'm sure some people still could see it. Plus, when it got sweaty under the skin, it would get red, sore, raw, so uncomfortable for about a week. I even had some scaring.
In 2011, I had a physical with my PCP and weighing in at 274 lbs she says," For the last couple of years, your sugar has been slowly elevating, and so has your weight. Theres now a shot that you can give yourself every day to help your sugar and it also has an appetite suppressent in it." My answer to her, "Thats not going to happen." When I got home I started counting calories, eating healthy, exercising, ect. ect. At the end of 1 year, I had lost 80 lbs, on my own! I was so PROUD of myself. I finally had some control over my weight. I was looking great. Enjoying all my new clothes. After all, I used to wear a 3x top and 20-22 slacks. NOW I'm wearing a Large top and 12P slacks. I'm feeling so good about myself and looking in the mirror everyday. BUT...........
now that excess skin is hanging lower and it looks worse than before. I'm starting to think about it more since I've lost the weight. I had been talking with my Curves coach about my skin and she kept encouraging me to find a Plastic Surgeon and find someone to talk to.
In the beginning of 2014, I decided it was time to see what could be done to have my skin removed. I knew with all these people having lost so much weight and having excess skin, there had to be someone out there who could help. I told my husband that I had decided to see about having the excess skin removed. What was his thoughts and since it would be cosmetic, if we could afford it financially. He supported me 100% and encouraged me to get started. I didn't know of anyone that had plastic surgery who might reccommend someone. I started calling and searched on the computer. I had contacted 3 other surgeons. After each appointment my husband and I would discuss our views. Still, I wasn't quite comfortable with any one of them. I made an appointment with my PCP. I had been pleased with the Drs. she had referred me to in the past. I was telling her I had decided to get my excess skin removed and had already seen 3 Plastic Surgeons. And she says, "You need to talk to Dr. Kress. With as many patients that I see in my office, who have had plastic surgery, Dr. Kress always seems to go that little extra."
I made my appointment with Dr. Kress. I told him I wanted to have my excess skin removed. He was very Professional and listened to everything I said. He answered all my questions without hesitation. He also asked me questions. He made me feel comfortable and that I could trust him. He left the room and his assistant took some pictures. When he came back in, he discussed with me what he could do. Remove my excess skin, lipo. and finish up with a tummy tuck. He also discussed with me, pre-op, day of surgery and post-op and what to expect and what I had to do. I received a statement of my financial responsibility and I told Dr. Kress I'd think about it and let him know.
I knew when my husband and I left his office that he would be doing my surgery.
I called Dr. Kress's office and set up an appt. to sign my papers for surgery. At that time, everything was explained to me again about pre-op, day of surger, post-op. My surgery date was Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, 7:30am. I had blood work to do and prescriptions to fill. 1 1/2 weeks till surgery. I was so excited about the skin issure and scared, too. I trusted Dr. Kress and he had assured me that everything would be fine.
Day of Surgery: My surgery was at the Frederick Surgical Center. I arrived at 6:30 to sign in. It wasn't long before a nurse came for me and took me back so she could prep me. After I was ready, she brought my husband back to keep me company until surgery. The nurse checked on me a couple time making sure I was comfortable. The Anesthesist came and talked about what he was going to do, especially making sure I'd be comfortable during the surgery. And Dr. Kress came by and talked about the surgery and to assure me that everything would be okay. I still had a hard time believing I was finally getting my skin removed. Tip: Frederick Surgical Center is a nice facility. Friendly staff.
Recovery Room: I can remember my husband telling me to take deep breaths. He told me that my surgery went real good. And I did meet my night nurse. That was required by the surgical center as my operation was out-patient. I don't know who dressed me to come home. I remember getting into the car but not how I got home and into the house. I do remember later that evening, feeling down the front of me. I was told about the shaper/compression garmet that I would be in and 2 drains. First time I felt the skin was gone. My nurse was in touch with Dr. Kress that evening. I was resting comfortable, no pain, not sure of what was going on.
Week 1 post-op: My nurse left this morning. I slept comfortable on the sofa. Dr. Kress's office called to check on me and gave me a phone # incase I needed anything, anytime. I slept most of the time, when I wasn't getting up for a walk every hour or so. Pain when I had to stand up and sit back down. Even had to walk hunched over. Really motivating slowly. Couldn't have done that without my caregiver. Had appointment with Dr. Kress 4 days after surgery. Tummy tuck incision dowm at my bikini line. Took off the bandage. Bruising. Little tapes over my surgery area. No redness. First look at the area where my skin used to be. WOW! Checked my drains. Now I can shower!
2nd Week post-op: Still slept and rested but not as much as last week. Still painful standing up and sitting down. I had tv to watch, telephone, book to read, puzzle books to work. When I felt like it. Caregiver was very helpful. Appointment with Dr. Kress to get the sticky tape taken off my incision area. Stitched on the inside. Not red. Looks good. Bruising. Checked drains. Smaller compression garmet.
Week 3 post-op: I might rest during the day now. Feeling pretty good. Even the pain is getting better. I'm still needing help walking. Don't need to hunch over when I walk. Walking outside. Appointment with Dr. Kress to finally get these drains taken out! Cooking lightly. Only been going to the drs. since surgery because of the drains, hadn't driven, either. I was anxious to return to church that Sunday. I always visit my Mother afterwards. When I got back home that afternoon, I knew I had done to much and was so tired.
Week 4 post-op: Feeling lots better. I can now get myself up and down. Pain lots better. Still wearing the shaper. Getting outside for a nice walk. Cooking and light housework. Can't lift over 10lbs. Good to get out of the house for awhile and shop.
Dr. Kress has taken very good care of me through out this procedure. He has such a gentle bedside manner, soft spoken and sure of himself. Professional and he cares about his patients. I felt if there was a problem, he could take care of it. I had a lot faith and trust in him.
1 year Post-op: I'm feeling wonderful! Its hard sometimes to believe the skin is gone and I catch myself looking in the mirror. I want to say I now feel "free' of it. No more long tops. I'm forever smoothing my top down the front to see how flat that area is now. I've kept my weight down and am looking and feeling good about myself.
You can hardly see my abdonimal scar. No dog ears. Could have had more taken out of the lipo. area. I'm please with the results and have no regrets!
I haven't had my after pictures taken. When I get them, I will post my before and after pictures at that time.
Provider Review
Dr. Kress has such a gentle bedside manner. He is professional, a good listener, caring, and easy to talk to. Soft spoken and sure of himself. I would highly reccommend him to anyone. I love going into the office and talking to CJ and Charity. They are always happy to see you and make you feel welcome. They do everything they can to accomodate your needs. When I had questions or concerns after my surgery, and needed to see Dr. Kress, they would always manage to get me in that day.