Bariatric surgery is an effective way to force weight loss when one has tried repeatedly to lose weight through natural means.
Bariatric surgery is almost always effective in resulting in massive reduction in weight but it can leave the body with unattractive and uncomfortable folds of excessive skin.
Post-bariatric body contouring can offer a solution for a person who has undergone bariatric surgery and can also be effective for those who did manage to lose weight on their own.
The Development of Excess Skin After Massive Weight Loss
People who have undergone massive weight loss through bariatric obesity surgery will often have a tremendous problem with large amounts of excess skin that hang from the arms, abdomen, chest and legs. Even though they have lost a tremendous amount of weight, they may still have self esteem issues because they have hanging skin.
This extra skin will often prevent them from wearing slimmer clothes and showing off their body. Sometimes, the skin is so excessive that it may hang and jiggle, forcing them to continue to wear baggy, body concealing clothes. In short, even though they look much better and are healthier – they may be seriously disappointed in the results.
The excessive skin that remains after gastric surgery can also contribute to the development of skin irritation and fungal infections because of the folds in the skin that hang over one another and never truly dry out. Post-bariatric plastic surgery can improve health and comfort by removing this skin and eliminating the problem.
Body contouring post-bariatric plastic surgery can help one improve not only health but also self image. It can restore the body to pre-weight gain conditions and help one to realize the goals they set when seeking to get gastric bypass surgery in the beginning.
What Is Involved in Post-Bariatric Body Countouring Surgery?
Post-bariatric body contouring surgery can remove sagging skin and fat in the arms with brachioplasty, in the face with a face and neck lift, in the abdomen with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, in the buttocks and legs with a butt lift and leg lift.
It can also remove some of the fat that may have stubbornly remained through either liposuction or by surgical removal.
Some women and men who have lost a lot of weight will also need a breast lift or breast reduction to remove skin from the breast area that has been stretched and now hangs off the chest. Many of these procedures can be done at the same time with a post-gastric surgery plastic procedure.
Who Might Benefit from Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Surgery
Not everyone who has lost weight is immediately ready for body contouring surgery. Ideal candidates for post-bariatric body contouring are individuals who have reached a stable weight and are in overall good health.
Plastic surgeons typically recommend waiting at least 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery or significant weight loss before undergoing any contouring procedures.
This waiting period allows the skin to contract as much as possible on its own and helps minimize the risk of complications.
Combining Procedures for Optimal Results
Many post-weight loss patients choose to combine multiple procedures during one surgical session to maximize results and reduce overall downtime.
For instance, a lower body lift may include a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttock lift all at once. Combining procedures can be more cost-effective and help patients achieve a balanced, proportional appearance sooner.
However, your plastic surgeon will assess your health, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine if multiple procedures at once are appropriate
Some patients or plastic surgeons may wish to do all the procedures at once or to divide them into body areas such as the face, chin and neck at one time, the breasts, arms and abdomen at a second time and the buttocks and thighs at a third session.
Cost and Financing Options for Body Contouring Surgery
Post-bariatric plastic surgery is often considered elective, which means it may not be covered by insurance unless there’s a documented medical necessity, such as chronic skin infections.
Costs can range from $8,000 to $30,000 depending on how many areas are being treated and the complexity of the procedures.
Many reputable plastic surgery clinics offer financing plans to help make these life-changing surgeries more accessible.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Body Contouring
When considering post-gastric surgery body contouring, it is important to remember that choosing a well trained, experienced cosmetic surgeon is the most crucial decision.
He or she will be able to guide you through the process and help you determine how much gastric bypass plastic revision contouring needs to be done.
He will also be able to show you before and after photos of previous body contouring surgeries to help you get a good idea of what to expect from your post-bariatric body contouring experience.