Posted by shalina

People achieving the needed loss of a significant amount of weight should be congratulated! They’ve overcome many obstacles and endured months – perhaps years – of striving toward a goal that, at the beginning, more than likely seemed unreachable. Some have undergone gastric bypass surgery. And because of all their hard work, self-discipline, and determination, they’ve now obtained their reward: they are at a weight that is not only healthier, but also gives them a new confidence they may have not felt for years, if ever. But gazing at the mirror leaves them far from satisfied. Layers of loose, sagging skin serve only to detract from what should be a glorious triumph.

Help Exists!

Today people experiencing excess skin from major weight loss have a solution. Medical body contouring procedures eliminate troublesome problems for the face and neck, the upper arms, the breasts, the abdomen, the buttocks, and the upper thigh area. These surgeries include:

· Rhytidectomy (facelift)
· Brachioplasty (arm lift)
· Mastopexy (breast lift)
· Abdominoplasty (abdomen lift)
· Excisional Back Lipectomy (buttock lift)
· Thighplasty (thigh lift)

Other procedures used to remove sagging tissue or fill out sunken areas due to weight loss include lifts of the eyebrow/forehead; eyelid (blepharoplasty); neck (platysmaplasty); chin (genioplasty), cheek (malar), or jaw (mandibular) implants; and liposuction.

Combined, Modified, and Staged Procedures

Sometimes one plastic surgery procedure can be implemented to correct an entire area. Surgeons perform a “belt lipectomy,” for instance, using incisions that extend completely around the lower trunk area to trim sagging skin and fat from the abdomen and waist areas, as well as from the outer thighs, hips, and buttocks. This all-in-one procedure, called a “lower body lift,” is often used in conjunction with liposuction to achieve optimum results.

Many plastic surgery procedures can be modified. For example, a full abdominoplasty (commonly called the “tummy tuck”), a major surgical procedure, encompasses tightening loose and sagging stomach muscles, navel realignment, as well as the removal of excess fat and skin. But patients can choose from several other, less-complex courses of action:

· Mini-tummy tuck – a partial abdominoplasty that removes skin and excess fat, but does not include suturing of abdominal muscles or navel repositioning
· Dermolipectomy – includes skin and fat removal, as well as navel repositioning, but no muscle tightening
· Panniculectomy – a removal only of the flap of skin (panniculus) that hangs over the stomach area.
· Reverse abdominoplasty – removal of skin and fat above the navel

With dramatic weight loss, patients may require several surgeries, performed in stages, to correct problems. The waiting period between surgeries can be anywhere from weeks to several months or perhaps longer, based on the advice of your doctor.

Inpatient, Outpatient, or No Patient

Depending upon the extent of the surgery, whether or not local or general anesthesia is used, general health, and the doctor’s judgment, surgery is performed either on an outpatient basis or in the hospital. It’s important to be open and frank with your doctor, and to strictly adhere to his or her advice regarding your consumption of any vitamins, medications, smoking habits, exercise, and even your mental health. You may be advised to postpone or opt out of any procedure that possibly puts you at risk.

The “I” Word (Insurance)

Because most plastic surgeries are considered “cosmetic,” insurance companies oftentimes decline coverage. However, some procedures can be covered because without them, the patient’s health may be jeopardized. A full abdominoplasty, for instance, may not be insured; however, if recurring infections and/or back pain exist from the excess skin and fat of an enlarged panniculus, a panniculectomy could be fully covered under your insurance company’s guidelines. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor and your insurer well before any scheduled surgical procedure.

Whom to Choose

Selecting a plastic surgeon should be a well-thought-out endeavor. Do not rely on any single criterion, such as word-of-mouth or cost (extravagant prices do not necessarily equate to expertise). Here are some factors to consider when considering which doctor to use:

· Verify credentials

o Is he/she certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgeons? It only takes a phone call (888-475-2784) or a website visit (www.plasticsurgery.org) to find out. Also ensure the surgeon you are considering holds a license to practice medicine in your state. Ask your doctor about continuing education he or she participates in as well all other medical associations at which membership is maintained – and then follow up by confirming these credentials.

● Take the time to view before-and-after photos

○ It’s a rare plastic surgeon who does not provide previous patients’ before-and-after photographs to prospective clients. If yours does not offer such a portfolio, look elsewhere for a surgeon who does.

· Check criminal and civil history

o Although this may seem distasteful, it’s imperative to make certain the doctor you’ve chosen has not been sued civilly or convicted of a crime. Usually for a small fee, this information can be obtained from the clerk of the county in which the physician practices.

· Make sure you communicate well with your doctor

o It’s crucial you and your surgeon remain “on the same page” as far as any procedures are concerned. You don’t want miscommunication to leave you unsatisfied. If for any reason you find it difficult or impossible to understand anything your doctor explains, or if he or she refuses to answer any questions, don’t hesitate to seek out a second opinion.

Taking the Big Step

You’ve done your part. You did whatever it took to get that weight off. Whether it was diet, exercise, gastric bypass surgery, or a combination of all those, you’ve lost the weight and you deserve the body for which you’ve worked so hard. Now it’s time to finish the job and live life to the fullest. So take the plunge and give yourself the gift of a lifetime with quality plastic surgery. It’s your time to shine!

By Sara Goldstein