The request for cosmetic surgery after significant and massive weight loss is fairly common. Part of these patients want to regain confidence and self esteem after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery, which is not without unwanted consequences.
How cosmetic surgery completes weight loss efforts
For bariatric surgery patients
For those who can try this method, diet is the first weight loss tool to consider, even if it does not always succeed. For others, bariatric surgery is necessary to get healthier, the most common procedures being the gastric band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
Bariatric surgeons are specialized in these procedures that are very efficient with a proper follow-up. Other specialists such as psychologists and nutritionists can contribute to bariatric patient’s weight loss and follow-up. Once weight loss is achieved, patients can consider plastic surgery to address the consequences of weight loss. Body contouring procedures after weight loss help patients complete their weight loss efforts and regain their confidence.
How can plastic surgery be helpful after weight loss ?
Significant and massive weight loss often changes the body. After being stretched by weight gain to the maximum of its capacity, the skin usually cannot shrink once fat has melted down. Excess skin left after weight loss cannot shrink by itself or with the help of exercises. Unwanted excess skin is an issue that can only be solved with surgical skin resection techniques. This last step is crucial to the well being of bariatric patients, because losing a lot of weight is not often rewarding with a well balanced figure.
How body contouring after weight loss can succeed
Body contouring surgery can be considered for patients with a normal and stable weight, with a body mass index of 30 or less. Risk factors have to be avoided, since plastic surgery in this case can be invasive.
The most important risk factor is smoking, because it causes major wound healing difficulties and significantly increases the risk of complications. Surgeons will refuse to operate on bariatric patients if they did not or are not willing to stop smoking before their procedure, which is also needed for a certain period after surgery.
