With the increasing popularity of bariatric surgery, weight losses of over 100 pounds have become a reality for thousands of people worldwide. As gratifying as this accomplishment is, often following bariatric surgery and resulting weight loss, skin does not shrink to firmly fit the new, smaller frame. The result is something similar to having a size 12 body in a size 24 skin.
This loose, sagging skin can create hygiene problems and is prone to chafing, rashes, and infection. Surgical procedures to cut away and tighten the excess skin have become one of the fastest-growing invasive cosmetic surgeries in the United States.
The surgical technique is called body contouring. It has proven to be fertile ground for plastic surgeons. Increasing numbers of plastic surgeons are devoting at least part, if not all, of their practices to alleviating the loose skin problem caused by weight loss. Nonetheless, surgeons soon may be unable to keep up with demand from weight-loss surgery patients. In the United States alone 52,000 body contouring surgeries were performed in 2007. This number reflects a 36 percent increase from the previous year, and is indicative of a growing awareness of the positive changes to appearance and self-esteem that plastic surgery can accomplish after bariatric surgery.
Body-contouring surgeries include the popular tummy tuck, and the lifting and tightening of skin anywhere that it’s loose and sagging. Standard areas for body-contouring include breasts, arms, thighs, and the general lower body. The best candidates have not been obese for too many years, are 30 years of age or younger, don’t smoke, are darker complexioned, have skin that hasn’t been overly sun damaged, and have been at a stabilized weight for 12 to 18 months.
To achieve the body shape, the trade-off is permanent scars that run around the back and abdomen or down the inside of limbs. Patient’s who have undergone gastric bypass benefit from Vitamin K to improve clotting preoperatively, as well as other nutritional supplements to speed up healing. Recovery can involve several nights in a hospital, pain, drainage tubes, weeks off work, swelling, fluid buildup under the skin, infections, open wounds and dead skin.
It is important to have realistic expectations. Some patients end up with better results than others for a variety of reasons. Some patients have better muscle tone and better shape naturally. Each patient’s results are unique to their own situation, healing, anatomy.
Often more than one area of the body is plagued with excess skin and because many surgeries at once create more risk, doctors often stage procedures over several years. These surgeries are considered cosmetic and therefore elective. They are expensive, and often are not covered by insurance. A series of procedures, over a period of years, can run as high as $100,000.
Any surgery involves risk. Body contouring is best performed by a very experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in the procedure, and has privileges at an accredited full-service hospital. This is not a surgery where you will want to choose your physician from a health club or spa. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will be trained to place scars in the least unobtrusive areas, and to ensure a safe surgery enabling you to fully enjoy your new trim figure and to look as good as you feel following your extreme weight loss.
by – Jody Cross/healthnews.com
I think gastric band surgeries are a better choice for those looking for a lower body weight. The surgery itself is reversible and you lose weight gradually and normally without liposuction or major cuts. My sister had a similar surgery at Oband center and she is enjoying the results now.