Surgery After Weight Loss

Plastic Surgery following significant weight loss and bariatric surgery.

For patients who are significantly over weight, losing that weight is the single most important step they can take to improve their quality of life and health. The tremendous results obtained through bariatric (weight loss) surgery, can have a more pronounced and positive effect on a patient's life than almost any other area of medicine. Patients who are significantly overweight gain.

For patients who have had bariatric surgery, or lost a significant amount of weight through other means, plastic surgery can be very beneficial. Bariatric surgery is not done for cosmetic purposes and plastic surgery is not done for weight loss. Patients who lose more than 80 pounds often develop laxity of the skin and soft tissues of the body. Such laxity frequently develops to varying degrees and can create a significant cosmetic deformity. In addition to the cosmetic deformity, this can interfere with the normal activities of daily living, be a hygiene problem and produce secondary medical problems. The results of plastic surgery to correct these deformities are among the most dramatic and consistent in the field.

Various areas are typically affected by wide fluctuations in weight. These areas include the abdomen, torso, breast, thighs, arms, face, and neck. Not all patients will develop laxity to the same extent or of the same areas. For each patient, an approach to correcting the problem areas should focus on those that are most troublesome and be tailored to the individual patient's needs.

There are a number of unique considerations when treating patients who have undergone bariatric surgery or lost a large amount of weight by another method. It is very important that patients find a plastic surgeon who is aware of these considerations. Patients should have completed most of their weight loss and there weight should be relatively stable. They do not need to have lost all of the weight they are going to lose. There are times, however, when they may be a candidate for body contour surgery before their weight loss is complete. The most common example of this is when hanging skin, such as an abdominal apron, interferes with exercise or becomes a hygiene problem. By correcting this patients are able to improve the quality and amount of activity leading to further weight loss. Another important consideration is a stable metabolism. Patients need to be monitored prior to surgery to assure adequate nutrition. This is necessary to promote postoperative healing. Also for this type of surgery smoking is a contraindication as it greatly increases the risks and complications.

Patients differ with regards to the amount of soft tissue laxity they develop. They also differ with regards to which areas of the body are involved. The following is a list of the areas Dr. Shuster most frequently treats for patients who have lost significant weight.

Abdomen

The skin and soft tissues of the abdomen are often the areas which most dramatically develop laxity. As described, this can present a significant cosmetic deformity and also interfere with normal activities and become a hygiene problem. These areas are best addressed with an abdominoplasty.

To learn about abdominoplasty surgery or to see before and after photographs, click here.

Torso

For some patients the laxity of the soft tissue that develops is not limited to a single area. Rather it can affect them circumferentially. That is, it can involve the abdomen, back, flanks and buttocks. When this is the case, a Lower Body Lift can address all these areas in a single operation with very impressive results.

To learn more about Lower Body Lifts and to see before and after photographs, click here.

Thighs

The skin of the thighs is and area particularly susceptible to developing laxity which manifests as cellulite and irregularities in contour. This can affect both the inner and outer parts of the thighs. A thigh lift can be performed either as an isolated procedure or as part of a Lower Body Lift. An Inner, or Medial, Thigh lift is performed to tighten the tissues along the inner aspect of the thighs.

Arms

The upper arms can develop extensive laxity following weight loss. This can occur at almost any age. Once such laxity develops, the only means of correcting it is by removing the excess skin. This is accomplished with a brachioplasty, or arm lift. When properly performed, the results of this procedure are quite impressive.

To learn more about brachioplasty or to see before and after photographs, click here.

Breasts

Breasts frequently loose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. This can occur with the passage of time and pregnancies. It can also be particularly exacerbated by fluctuations is weight. A mastopexy, or breast lift, is a procedure which reshapes the breasts and restores their position.

To learn more about breast lifts or to see before and after photographs, click here.

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