Post Bariatric Reconstruction Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a procedure, which surgically alters the stomach or digestive tract to minimize caloric intake and often leads to dramatic weight loss of 100lbs or more.Plastic Surgery Specialists is proud to have Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco, one of the foremost experts in this surgery as our partners.
Nearly all massive weight loss patients end up having excess skin, which require plastic surgery to achieve the full aesthetic rewards of their dramatic life change.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do plastic surgeons do this surgery?
A: Typically these procedures are performed by specially trained general surgeons. Plastic Surgeons become involved in the post bariatric stages after the weight loss has occurred and a stable weight has been achieved. Plastic surgery is then required in order to reshape the body. Weight loss changes can also affect the face and neck, chest, abdomen, back, buttock, and legs.
Q: What type of procedure corrects these changes after weight loss?
A: In each case a procedure is individually designed to achieve an optimal result. In some cases it may not be possible to correct all areas in one operation. The most important consideration is safety. The benefits of a single-stage procedure must be weighed against the operative time involved. At Plastic Surgery Specialists, we perform these surgeries as a team with two surgeons and two assistants. This allows a much faster operation with fewer complications. It is very common to perform a breast lift with implants, tummy tuck or circumferential body lift and even facial procedures during one operation.
Q: How long is the recovery?
A: It depends on the procedure, but it is usually one month for the more complicated operations and, of course, at least a year for maturation of the scars. Most patients who have lost a massive amount of weight will require more than one operation to achieve an optimal result, as the skin elasticity is poor and touch ups are the rule than the exception.