Am I a Candidate for Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss?

As rates of obesity continue to rise in the United States, more and more people are turning to surgical weight loss options like bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is effective at helping people lose massive amounts of weight, but one side effect of losing all of that weight can be sagging or loose skin.

Skin expands and stretches as the body gains weight, but skin doesn’t “snap back” as you lose weight. So many patients are happy with the weight loss, but still unhappy with how their body looks. As a plastic surgery office, we wanted to tell you about a procedure to remedy this issue.

WHAT IS PLASTIC SURGERY AFTER WEIGHT LOSS?

Also known as post-bariatric surgery or body contouring, plastic surgery after weight loss is a group of procedures in which your surgeon removes excess skin and any remaining fat deposits from around your face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and/or thighs.

WHAT WILL THE SURGICAL SCARS BE LIKE?

Although there will be permanent scarring, in most cases the scars will significantly fade over time. In addition, plastic surgeons are adept at hiding incisions in inconspicuous areas of the body whenever possible. Furthermore, your surgeon will carefully plan the order of your surgeries to minimize the amount of incisions that will be necessary.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY AFTER WEIGHT LOSS?

You may be a suitable candidate for post-weight loss surgery if:

• You have experienced massive weight loss (100 lbs. or more) as a result of bariatric surgery, or healthy lifestyle changes, and have sagging skin in multiple areas of the body.
• Your weight has been stable for at least 12 months with no further weight loss expected. Weight fluctuations will undo the effects of the surgery, so you must be committed to maintaining a healthy weight.
• You are in overall good health without chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
• You are committed to eating a healthy diet. Bariatric surgery can cause some patients to develop nutritional deficiencies, which can hinder the healing process. Bariatric patients will be assessed for any gaps in nutrition and be required to correct their diets as needed.
• You don’t smoke. Smoking interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of serious complications during and after surgery. If you smoke, you must quit 6 weeks before surgery.
• You have realistic expectations. Surgery will lead to marked improvements in your shape, but it is impossible to restore the skin or body to what it would have been without the weight gain. Even after body-contouring surgery, skin continues to sag over time as part of normal aging.
• You have mental stamina. You will likely need multiple surgeries over the course of many months, which means you’ll need to be mentally prepared to endure the process and recovery periods.

IS THIS A GOOD OPTION FOR SPOT REDUCING CERTAIN AREAS OF MY BODY?

It’s important to understand that surgery after massive weight loss is a fairly involved procedure developed to remedy a specific issue among a particular group of patients. If you are looking for a flatter stomach, slimmer thighs, or a thinner neck, there are more suitable, less complex procedures. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the most appropriate options available to you.

If you’ve recently had massive weight loss, then congratulations on being a healthier, slimmer person. But if you are unhappy with sagging or excess skin, talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Fodero to see if you are a good candidate for plastic surgery after massive weight loss.

Northeastern Plastic Surgery understands your desire for a beautiful, youthful looking body and facial appearance. We use the latest plastic surgery techniques to perform a variety of surgical procedures. Dr. Fodero and the staff are very friendly, helpful, and available to answer any questions you may have about the procedures we offer. We strive to ensure that your experience with us is positive. Please contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.