Posted September 30, 2021 in Bariatric Surgery
About a quarter million severely obese people in the United States undergo bariatric surgery each year. While it is a highly effective way for people to take off large amounts of weight and recommit themselves to a healthy lifestyle, bariatric surgery rarely leaves the body looking svelte and tight.
Dr. Scott Green is known as one of the country’s foremost experts on post-bariatric plastic surgery. Here, he shares why bariatric patients often need cosmetic surgery, as well as which procedures benefit his patients most.
What Happens to the Body after Bariatric Surgery?
Patients who have had bariatric surgery and commit to the diet outlined by their doctors should see dozens of pounds vanish in the months to come. Although that is readily noticeable on the scale, thinner body contours do not necessarily come as easy.
The main obstacle is loose, hanging skin. When the body is bigger from excess weight, the skin becomes stretched out. Over time, the skin loses its elasticity, and when the weight comes off, the skin does not snap back into place to correspond with its new contours. Sagging and deflated skin can hang from the arms, breasts, stomach, thighs, buttocks and more.
Excess skin doesn’t just look unappealing; it can also make it harder to exercise and bathe. Additionally, when the rolls of skin rub against other skin, it can cause significant irritation.
Which Procedures Are Offered by Dr. Green?
The best (and only practical) solution for eliminating loose skin is surgery. Dr. Green has worked with many patients after gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and other bariatric surgeries to excise the skin so that they may reattain nicer contours.
Dr. Green offers:
- Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, to remove and tighten up loose skin along the belly
- Thigh lift, which targets the upper portions of the legs, making it easier to walk and wear clothing
- Lower body lift, which combines tummy tuck, thigh lift and buttocks lift procedures
- Breast lift for women whose breasts have sagged after weight loss
- Arm lift to remove the dangling skin from the upper portion of the arm
- Facelift/neck lift for patients whose faces look like they have aged prematurely due to loose skin
- Liposuction to remove unwanted lingering deposits of fat from certain areas
Speak to an Expert
If you have had bariatric surgery (or have just lost a significant amount of weight on your own) and would like to tackle the loose skin that remains, then you should speak to a plastic surgeon who specializes in these procedures. To get the body contours you have worked so hard for, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green by calling (916) 929-1833.