Picture this: After an uphill battle with weight, you have managed to achieve your ideal weight. The bariatric battle you went through was successful but it left a few undesirable scars from the past. Also, after massive weight loss, a huge part of your body is likely to be affected by loose skin.
Most post-bariatric surgery patients suffer from loose skin on the belly. This condition is called a pannus. People with this condition have a problem fitting into their clothes. In addition, the condition can cause further problems like skin irritation and rashes spreading around the area. There are ways to make sure that your body is properly sculpted after the bariatric surgery, and here are some of the most popular options today:
Male Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a condition caused by a reduction in the amount of testosterone compared with estrogen. These changes cause breasts to enlarge in men. Male Gynecomastia can be treated by combining liposuction and skin removal. The scars from this procedure vary with the number of corrections needed. Recovery time after this surgery is between 4-6 weeks.
Brachioplasty
The procedure also goes by the name ‘arm lift’.It is meant to cut down the sagging skin that droops down in excess. This method smoothes and tightens the core supportive tissue that defines the upper arms and reduces fat in the upper arm region. Brachioplasty can help you achieve a very nice contour of the arm. The operation takes about 2-3 hours and recovery time is between 1 to 2 weeks.
Liposuction
Known as ‘lipo’ to many, this procedure involves sucking out small areas of fat that are difficult to lose through either a healthy diet or exercise. Liposuction uses hollow suction tubes to remove fat. The tubes are thin and can be placed through small and not very obvious incisions. This procedure is rarely used as a sole method in patients who have lost weight due to the fact that it does nothing to tighten the skin, so expect liposuction to be featured in other plastic surgery procedures too.
Abdominoplasty
One of the most common procedures performed after weight loss is an abdominoplasty. Referred to by many as a tummy tuck, this procedure takes many forms from removing the pannus to contouring the abdomen with the tightening of the waistline. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes 2 to 4 hours. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks for complete recovery.
Lower Body Lift
This is a surgical procedure that gives a transformation to the mid and lower body. It removes fat and skin from the hips, outer thighs, skin, and buttocks. The inner thighs are treated by lifting the skin and placing incisions along the groin crease. In the event of excess skin on the thigh, a long vertical incision is needed to make the skin tight. This procedure can be done at the same time as the panniculectomy. This procedure gives a powerful result that reshapes the entire lower body.
If you want to understand more about your most ideal cosmetic surgery options after massive weight loss, feel free to set up an initial consultation session with Dr. Fischer today.
This article was not written by Dr. Robert S. Fischer M.D and may not represent his views. To talk to Dr. Robert S. Fischer M.D. please contact the office directly.
