Will You Require Plastic Surgery After Major Weight Loss?
By Marcus Crawford | Published on March 1, 2011 | 0 Comments
Every January, millions of people around the world make the solemn resolution to finally get healthy, start exercising regularly, and shed the pounds that have plagued them for years. And while a majority of people will forget about this goal within a few weeks, for others, this will really become the year of change. One of the most fulfilling experiences for many people is finally reaching their goal weights and becoming satisfied with the bodies that they see reflected in their mirrors.
However, after major weight loss, either through exercise or surgery, it is not entirely uncommon for you to experience some extra sagging skin which has not re-tightened in an ideal manner. This does not mean that your efforts were in vain, however, because a surgeon can provide you with the extra help needed to contour your new shape.
One of the most common procedures following major weight loss, explains Marcus Crawford M.D., is a tummy tuck to remove excess skin. As a popular tummy tuck surgeon in the Atlanta area, Dr. Crawford says that through this procedure, you will be able to remove the skin not only from around your abdomen, but your hips and flanks as well.
In addition to the sagging skin around their mid-regions, Dr. Crawford says that many of his patients at Crawford Plastic Surgery, particularly women, become unhappy with shape of their breasts. In these instances, he explains, a combination of a breast augmentation to add volume and a breast lift to reposition the nipple may be the ideal solution. Other patients, he adds, also request liposuction to remove excess skin hanging around their thighs and upper arms following weight loss.
With all of the work that you have done to get to this point, you should not feel embarrassed about using your surgeon’s knowledge and experience to shape and firm the rest of your body. In fact, says Dr. Crawford, many patients require a combination of two to four surgeries to attain their desired results depending on the areas that they are most concerned with.
Before you proceed with your surgeries, however, Dr. Crawford says that you will benefit the most once you have reached a stable weight. For weight loss achieved through diet and exercise, he explains, you should wait until you have maintained the same weight for six months before moving forward with surgery. On the other hand, if you have had weight loss surgery, such as the Lap Band, then your surgeon will likely ask you to wait until a year after your surgery before proceeding with other treatments.
It is important to Dr. Crawford that you feel comfortable discussing your weight loss and the areas of your body that you are still dissatisfied with. When you are around professionals who make you feel comfortable, he says, it makes the entire experience more calming.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.