Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss

Do you need plastic surgery after weight loss? The good news is that all that extra skin from your overweight period can be removed but it could come at a cost.

A body lift, or circumferential body lift, is a very complex and extensive surgery that could involve a number of areas of the body being operated on.

Common complications associated with weight loss surgery procedures include the potential for small skin separations and subcutaneous fluid accumulation (seroma).

Additional complications and risks that may result from surgery after weight loss are:

•Reduced sensation in the treatment area which could be permanent

•Infection

•Bleeding

•Blood clots

•Slow wound healing

•Prolonged swelling

•Skin loss

•Skin discoloration

•Necrosis(fatty tissue deep in the skin might die)

•Asymmetry (one side of the body may not be the same as the other)

•Pain

•Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the legs)

•Blood clot in the lungs (Pulmonary embolism)

•Persistent swelling in the legs

•Scarring which may never heal completely, although it should eventually flatten and lighten.

•Possibility of having to have further surgery

•Fluid accumulation

The following facts in connection with a circumferential body lift should be noted:

•The body lift requires a hospital stay of one to three days and you should expect a recovery period of six weeks or longer

•Personal home care may be needed for up to two weeks

•A medical compression garment should be worn at all times, except when bathing

•Your will not be able to bathe until your dressings have been removed which should be about two weeks of surgery

•You should avoid placing any pressure on the treated area

•Within six weeks after surgery approximately 75 % of the swelling should subside

•Within three months 90% of the swelling should subside

•The average recovery time is four to six weeks

•It is wise to allow six to eight weeks before exercising.

You are likely a good candidate for plastic surgery after weight loss if:

•Your weight has stabilized

•You don't have medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery

•You're a nonsmoker

•You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for the procedure

•You are committed to proper nutrition, fitness, and an overall healthy lifestyle

If you're a woman planning a family, it's best to wait until after you've had your babies before having plastic surgery after weight loss.