Body Contouring Surgery after Massive Weight Loss

Surgery to cause weight loss has become increasingly popular recently, such as gastric banding or bypass surgery, as have TV reality shows which prove that similar weight loss can be achieved by dedicated diet control combined with exercise.

Weight loss surgery is known as bariatric surgery and in the US alone in excess of 250,000 patients are having these procedures every year to help manage their obesity and related health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension. The number of bariatric procedures performed in NZ are similarly increasing every year.

Initially in NZ these procedures were performed purely in private and paid for by patients without health insurance funding, now a limited number of selected patients are offered bariatric surgery throughout the public health system and there can be a part payment provided by health insurers for private surgery. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to operate with some of the pioneers of body contouring surgery in Los Angeles when I worked at the University of Southern California in 2005/2006. The techniques we used then created a core of great surgical options but are better understood now have also been modified to tailor and finesse individual patient needs.

Weight loss, either through surgery or diet and exercise, improves general health in a number of ways, increases life expectancy and most importantly quality of life. The flip side of the coin is that patients who undergo major weight loss are often left with excess loose skin that creates undesirable folds and contours.

This appearance is psychologically and physically a let down after all the effort patients have put into improving their health. Body contouring surgery can help to create the body shape they set out to achieve. Excess skin occurs commonly around the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, breasts and arms, it can also occur around the back, face and neck. Depending on the degree of weight loss, skin quality, patient health and desires a number of body contouring surgical options are available.

Procedures often performed by Plastic Surgeons following massive weight loss include abdominoplasties (tummy tucks), lower body lifts, belt lipectomies, thigh lifts, arm lifts, breast reductions, breast lifts with or without breast implants, face lifts and neck lifts. Some of these procedures can be performed under the same anaesthetic but often procedures need to be staged with a rest period of 3 months or more between stages. There is no rule as to which procedures are performed first, the key is matching the patient's goals with their health and anatomy to maximize outcomes.

Prior to body contouring surgery patients need to have achieved their weight goal and been stable for at least 6 months, be physically fit, be under the care of a dietitian, and be psychologically sound and motivated. This last point is usually not an issue as patients are typically very motivated and realize they are only half way along their journey when they present for body contouring.

I have found with my body contouring patients they are hugely appreciative and pleased with their outcomes, truly life changing and inspirational. If you have any specific requests regarding cosmetic surgery topics that you would like discussed on this blog, please feel free to email me: chris@breast-body.co.nz