December 5, 2015

Weight Loss and Plastic Surgery

Weight loss is a long, laborious journey that does not end after a rigorous diet, intensive workout program—or a weight loss surgery.

In fact many patients who experience massive weight loss—whether as a result of surgery or not—are often left with excessive residual sagging skin, particularly in the things, under the arms, around the abdomen and in the breasts.

Not only can the excess weight be unsightly and uncomfortable, it can also, in many cases, be painful. The loose, heavy folds of skin may serve as reminder of your former self.

Plastic surgery after dramatic weight loss is a viable option to reduce excess skin and fat left behind after weight loss.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (APSPS), the number of patients seeking plastic surgery after weight loss surgery has increased, since 2014.

This trend follows a similar uptick in the growth of weight loss surgeries. The objective of post-weight loss plastic surgery is to restore attractive proportions by removing the sagging skin around the face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs that create a well-contoured figure.

While some plastic surgery treatments leave out minimal scarring, most patients find the tradeoff is acceptable for an enhanced appearance.

“We think there is a correlation between the two types of procedures, and we expect that trend to continue,” said ASPS President Scot Glasberg, MD, and private-practice plastic surgeon based in Manhattan, New York.

“Post-massive weight loss patients are the number one growth area I have seen in my practice, and I’m sure that’s the case in many doctor’s offices across the country.”

Post weight loss and plastic surgery procedures

There are several types of plastic surgery to help post-weight loss patients gain a trimmer, firmer shape. These plastic surgery procedures comprise comprehensive body lift surgery, tummy tuck, buttock augmentation, breast lift and arm lift.

Here are the most common plastic surgery procedures after weight loss:

Tummy Tuck: Patients often get a tummy tuck procedure as part of body lift surgery. A tummy tuck is designed to help flatten the stomach when diet and exercise and weight loss did not procedure the desired results.

Breast lift: One of the most body features that are evidently affected after weight loss is the breasts. If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift can help lift, firm and reshape them.

In a breast lift procedure, the surgeon removes excess skin and tissue, and works on repositioning the nipple higher on the chest. Some women seek breast implants to improve the overall shape of breast contours.

Facelift and Neck Lift: Removing excess skin around the face and neck after weight loss is similar to a traditional facelift, except that more skin is suctioned.

The results of body contouring surgery after dramatic weight loss are noticeable almost immediately.

However it takes a few months to two years to see the maximal results of all the recommended body contouring procedures to fully develop. Minimal scars from surgery may remain, but the overall results are permanent and long-lasting—if you manage to maintain a stable weight and healthy diet.

Before a plastic surgery treatment, weight loss surgery is considered successful when a patient loses 50 percent or more of excess body weight and manages to keep the weight off at least five years after weight loss surgery.

The following are factors that can have a considerable affect on a patient’s weight loss success: