POST WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Losing weight has many benefits to your general health and well being, but men and women who have lost a great deal of weight, either through diet and exercise or after bariatric weight loss surgery, often find they are left with extensive sagging skin and tissues. Patients who visit me for post weight loss surgery often complain that they have are now more dissatisfied with their appearance than they were before they’d lost the weight.
Post weight loss surgery encompasses a number of body reshaping cosmetic surgery procedures, from an arm lift, breast lift, male breast reduction, tummy tuck and thigh lift and they can be combined either in one single body lift procedure or may be planned as a series of procedures aimed at improving overall body contours.
Am I a suitable candidate for post weight loss surgery?
The most important things to consider before post-weight loss surgery is whether you have reached an ideal, or near-ideal weight, which has been stable for some time, as further weight loss or gain will compromise your results. Furthermore, having your surgery too soon can increase the chances of post-operative complications.
What does post weight loss surgery entail?
Click on the links below to learn more about the individual procedures and what they entail.
An arm lift procedure will remove sagging skin and tissues along the length of the upper arm to remove the so-called ‘bingo wings’ and greatly improve the contours of the arm.
Breast lifts, either with or without a breast augmentation, can reposition the breast tissues much higher on the chest wall and create a more youthful shape.
Tummy tucks are often the only solution to weakened abdominal muscles and sagging skin that is a common result of massive weight loss and the only way to create a smoother and firmer abdomen. This procedure can be extended around the flanks and on to the back if necessary.
Thigh lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at reshaping the inner and outer thighs by removing excess skin, any stubborn fat deposits and tightening the thigh area.
Liposuction may be combined with post weight loss surgery to produce optimal results. Excess fat deposits can be removed from all areas of the body and also from the chin and neck to improve body contours. If there is not an excess of sagging skin present, male breast reduction may be performed using liposuction alone.
Are there any possible risks or complications associated with a post weight loss surgery procedure?
Post weight loss surgery is a major undertaking and there are a number of potential associated risks. This can include bleeding, infections, blood clots, skin numbness and fluid collection under the skin.
I would advise all patients, whatever procedure they are undergoing, to stop smoking both in advance of surgery and afterwards, as smoking can greatly compromise your ability to heal. He will also give you comprehensive aftercare instructions to follow during your recovery period.
What results can I expect from my post weight loss surgery procedure?
Scarring is one of the major considerations to take on board before choosing to undergo post-weight loss surgery, but my patients feel that this is an acceptable compromise to make when set against the great improvement to their body shape that is achieved.