Body Contouring After Weight Loss Surgery

Home « News « Body Contouring After Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery, the weight loss procedure performed to treat obesity, has become increasingly popular in the last few years. In 2004, more than 144,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the United States. However, what most patients don't realize is that they'll need more surgery to remove the excess skin—also known as body contouring.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, last year almost 70,000 people underwent body contouring surgery after their weight loss procedure, a 77 percent increase from 2000.

Some of the most popular body contouring procedures includes tummy tuck, back roll removal, breast lift, body lift, upper arm lift, and thigh and buttock lift.

Body contouring surgeries are more invasive and complex than weight loss procedures and involve a long, painful healing process. Like with all other surgeries, there are many risks associated with body contouring.

To minimize the risks of body contouring surgery, doctors advise patients to:

•  Wait at least one year or until you have lost all the weight. Undergoing surgery too early may necessitate future procedures.

•  Make sure to document with doctor's notes and photographs any and all problems caused by your excess skin. This could increase the chances of insurance coverage.

•  Wait a few months before each procedure to allow proper healing time.

•  Discuss all risks and complications with your plastic surgeon prior to the surgery including wound infections, wound opening, seromas, and slow healing.

•  Discuss the number, location, and severity of scars with your plastic surgeon.


ABCPSR