Massive Weight Loss Surgery- Addressing Physical Effects of Losing Weight
People are becoming more and more active in managing their own health care. Due to the heighten awareness of the detrimental effects of obesity, many are seeking ways to reduce weight.
Some people only need to lose a few pounds to improve health and looks.
Others though are considered obese and should lose 75 pounds or more, which is a pretty significant amount. Significant weight loss is possible to accomplish through good dieting and exercise. Bariatric surgery, also known as gastric bypass surgery, is another method for quickly shedding unwanted pounds (in conjunction with good dieting and exercise).
While weight loss is beneficial to your health, it can leave sagging skin that can still present self-esteem challenges. Skin and tissue lose elasticity since it was stretched for a prolonged period of time. Thus, the skin is unable to shrink enough to avoid sagging. That is why surplus skin removal is so important. Not only is the excess skin unsightly, it can cause physical problems such as reoccurring sores, rashes or infections beneath the folds.
Insurance companies do not normally cover skin removal procedures, but if a medical reason for surgery is established, some companies may cover the operation.
Common surgeries after weight loss include:
- Adominoplasty or tummy tuck
- Thigh lift
- Arm reduction
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation
- Facelift
- Circumferential body lift (most severe cases)
Every person needs to be evaluated individually as problem areas vary among different people. Each person has their own priorities of what they want done. One may want to start with the face and another may want to start with the abdomen.
The answer may lie in several procedures performed over an extended period.
Several factors including extreme stretching contribute to sagging skin. Age and the amount of weight reduction are other important factors, while complexion, past sun exposure, genetics, and smoking contributes to a lesser degree.
The ideal time to have surplus skin removed is after achieving the desired weight loss and maintaining it for several months. The best candidates for surgery are those in good health and people that are nutritionally stable, in good mental condition, and those looking for improvement with the ability to accept realistic goals.
Although surgeons strive to hide all incisions, and keep scarring to a minimum, skin reduction will leave scars. How much depends on the number and types of surgery performed.
Writing regularly in both print and online media on plastic surgery and aesthetic issues, Dr. Bruce A. Mast offers easy-to-understand, expert insight into various ways available for enhancing patients' outward appearance. Possessing decades of experience helping men and women accomplish their goals of a more vibrant and youthful look, Dr. Mast offers compassionate, personable care as chief of the Plastic Surgery unit at UF Florida Center for Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. Dr. Mast carefully listens to patient concerns and goals to provide the most effective treatment for your individual situation. In addition to addressing concerns about appearance, the Florida plastic surgeon also help those affected by disease and accidents regain their prior look.
Find the best treatment and care for addressing issues with your appearance – whether they're simple aesthetic concerns or stem from an accident or illness – by visiting the offices of Dr. Bruce A. Mast at U.F. Or browse around for more insights into how you can safely enhance your outward appearance through plastic surgery and non-surgical, aesthetic treatments. Besides offering the best hands-on care, Dr. Mast also helps the public at large better understand plastic and cosmetic treatments and what to expect.