Obesity affects two of every three people. For those morbidly obese patients, dieting and exercise just doesn't work. Their excessive weight adversely affects their quality of life and that of their families. They are in constant discomfort with aching joints and backs. They are high risk candidates to develop heart disease, diabetes or cancer. For them bariatric surgery is their only hope, and their last resort.
Most bariatric surgeries performed are gastric bypasses. A gastric bypass sections off a section of the stomach and re-routes food to the small intestine. This results in less food intake and a reduction in the calories absorbed by the body.
One drawback to bariatric surgery is that over time the loss of pounds may result in large pockets of loose, sagging, unattractive, excess skin. This excessive skin can continue to interfere with daily activities such as walking, exercise or just looking good.
Your Post-Bariatric Surgeon
Prior to undergoing any bariatric procedure it is important to consult with your surgeon. Together you can plan to deal with removing the final mark of your obesity… the excess skin left behind after your body loses weight.
Body Contouring for Post-Bariatric Surgery
Body contouring can improve your figure and remove the excess skin and fatty deposits that are left after your bariatric surgery.
Post-bariatric body contouring surgeries are performed by our doctor for patients in our region and can combine liposuction with excisional body lifting. Generally body lifting is divided into the central body and trunk lift, the inner thigh lift, the arm lift and a breast lift or reduction.
The Post-Bariatric Surgery procedures
Depending on the extent of your surgery, your procedure can take from 30 minutes to several hours. It can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy, or your surgeon may use an epidural block instead. For more extensive liposuction and/or excisional surgery, a general anesthesia may be used.
Liposuction
Liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed today.
Liposuction surgery is performed to actually remove unwanted, localized deposits of fat cells from the body. A suction tube is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location on the skin. With a high-pressure vacuum, fat cells are extracted through this tube. The result is a re-sculpting of bulging areas into more attractive contours. Once removed, the fat cells are gone forever.
Excisional Surgery
Excisional surgery is combined with liposuction when the patient has excessive folds of skin. An incision is made and concealed as best as possible. The skin is tightened, re-draped and the excess skin is removed. Sutures are used to close the incision.
How many Post-Bariatric procedures will I need?
Depending on the amount of correction needed and the number of areas that need correction, our physician may advise you to undergo multiple procedures to keep the procedures manageable and safe.
What will my recovery be like from Post-Bariatric Surgery?
After our doctor performs your post-bariatric surgery, you will go home and rest for at least 24 hours, after which you may gradually increase your activity as tolerated. Some discomfort and pain is to be expected, but it can be controlled with medication. The bandage over the incision site will be removed the day after surgery and you will be able to shower. Generally, it is necessary to wear a light compression garment 2 - 3 weeks after your surgery. All sutures are internal and absorbable. After 2 - 3 days you may resume most non-strenuous activities. Most patients return to work after 1 - 2 weeks. Sports and other strenuous activities are prohibited for at least 2 months.
How will my skin look after Post-Bariatric surgery?
During the first 10 - 14 days, you will be bruised at and around the surgical site. Scars will be red for the first few months, but they will gradually fade. Patients who have had liposuction will have more swelling than those who only had a lift performed. The use of smaller cannulas during your liposuction allows the fibrous connections between your skin and body to remain. These connections will contract over time, after which the excessive skin folds will be gone. Following your surgery, you will enjoy the new, more pleasing, youthful shape you desire.