If you’re preparing to undergo bariatric surgery to lose weight, you may need plastic surgery after your weight loss. While some may not think they need another surgery after a bariatric procedure, plastic surgery after weight loss is not only common but also highly beneficial. Here’s why bariatric patients undergo plastic surgery and the advantages of doing so.
Why Do People Seek Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery?
As people gain weight, skin on the human body will stretch out to fit the additional fat tissue that grows over time. Individuals who seek surgical assistance to reduce their weight and body size may experience rapid weight loss. However, after a patient loses weight, their skin may not return to its original position. This results in excess skin that no longer fits the body due to the absence of fat.
What Are the Benefits of Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery?
Most patients want surgery to remove excess skin for aesthetic and psychological reasons. The loose skin on the body caused by significant weight loss post-bariatric surgery can be unattractive & embarrassing. Removing the excess skin can help restore a more appealing body shape. As a result, a large number of patients who undergo bariatric surgery commonly have plastic surgery sometime afterward to improve their quality of life.
There are many other reasons why excess skin is problematic that do not pertain to one’s physical appearance. Some of these problems include:
- Bad odors
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Skin lesions caused by chafing skin
- Skinfold infections
- Difficulty maintaining hygiene
Who Should Receive Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery?
Although numerous bariatric surgery patients seek out plastic surgery, not all of them are good candidates. There are several factors that determine whether an individual is best suited for successful body contouring surgery. If you’re wondering whether you’d be a good candidate for skin removal surgery, here are several traits you should have:
- Patients who have completed their bariatric surgery within 18 months (?)
- People with a BMI, or body mass index, of less than 28 (?)
- Those who do not smoke
- Patients in good health
- Individuals who have maintained a stable weight for around six months
- Anyone who has documented chronic issues concerning their excess skin
What Is the Process for Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery?
Skin removal procedures following bariatric surgery differ slightly from other types of plastic surgery. Generally, these procedures are more time consuming and involve multiple areas of the body. Arms, abdominal area, breasts, outer thighs and buttocks are all locations that can undergo plastic surgery to reduce excess skin following weight loss. In order to maintain safety and limit the chances of blood loss, infection or other issues, it is common to treat areas of concern in stages or separate procedures. A plastic surgeon will divide the treatments into separate sessions, based on the patient’s personal needs and goals.
Those seeking post-bariatric surgery in New Jersey can consult Art Plastic Surgery for assistance. We offer a variety of plastic surgeries that can help enhance your appearance and boost your self-confidence, such as our facial resurfacing in NJ.