Bariatric surgery in the form of gastric bypass, the lap-band, and gastric sleeve has been a godsend for many thousands of obese patients. Many of these patients, however, find out that losing the weight is often only half the battle. Excess remaining skin persists, despite the weight loss and a rigorous exercise routine. This can be quite frustrating when trying to fit into new clothes, meeting new people, or planning a weekend at the beach. Modern plastic surgery has developed new techniques to meet these new challenges in patients who have lost as much as 500 pounds after their surgeries.
The degree of excess skin remaining depends on many factors, including the number of pounds lost, the age of the patient, the patient’s skin type and the area of the body. Plastic surgery should only begin once you have approached within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight. This allows the surgeon to properly contour your body and achieve the best possible cosmetic result. In addition this also assures that you are in the best possible heath for your cosmetic surgery and have the quickest recovery possible.
Plastic Surgery
The most common area that gastric bypass patients complain about is the abdomen. Tummy tucks are the most frequently requested plastic surgery procedures for these patients. Insurance plans are now increasingly offering coverage for this surgery because of medical issues related to the excess skin. Itching, rashes and infections underneath the overhanging abdomen (“panniculitis”) and groin can often lead to serious medical consequences. These symptoms are easily addressed and solved with an abdominoplasty performed by a plastic surgeon who is an expert on the post-bariatric patient.
Similarly, excess skin in the buttocks and back are easily addressed either separately or in conjunction with an abdominoplasty. When the abdominoplasty is extended circumferentially around the back it is generally called a lower body lift. The upper body lift addresses the arms, chest and breasts by removing the excess skin in these areas and is sometimes combined with breast implants for women. The thighs are treated with a combination of liposuction and a thigh lift. The neck can also be elevated and restored with a neck lift and is sometimes combined with a full face lift on select patients.
Plastic Surgery After Gastric Bypass
Considering all the issues and needs of these patients, experts generally recommend consultation with a plastic surgeon specializing in these surgeries in order to come up with a complete plan for these procedures.
