Posted - March 16, 2011

Plastic Surgery

Although patients choose to have weight loss surgery for health reasons, they are usually happy with the improvement in their appearance as well. Weight loss after bariatric (weight loss) surgery occurs rapidly. As a result of this quick weight loss, patients often discover they develop of loose stretched skin in areas where the most fat is lost. Areas affected are the tummy, back, arms and thighs. Weight loss surgeons in the Dallas – Fort Worth area of Texas often suggest plastic surgery to remove the folds of skin and tissue related to rapid weight loss.

Along with the cosmetic improvement of plastic surgery after weight loss, lose skin is surprisingly heavy and its removal can contribute to your overall weight loss goals. Also, plastic surgery after weight loss surgery will allow you to not only look better, but feel better physically as well. Hanging skin, notably around the abdomen can cause discomfort. Any physical activities, including standing and sitting sometimes causes chaffing. This is quite uncomfortable and annoying. It is also very difficult to properly clean the areas subject to heavy folds; this leads to rashes, skin irritation pain and possibly infection. Removing these unhealthy skin flaps improves your looks, your health and your comfort.

Weight loss patients need to wait between six and 18 months before undergoing bariatric plastic surgery. This allows for you to lose extra weight and give your body time for tissue and skin to stabilize. Before having plastic surgery visit your physician to make sure that you do not have a medical problem that will prevent you from having the procedure.

Doctors who do plastic surgery for bariatric patients should have special training and extensive experience in this field. Make sure that you choose a surgeon who is a board-certified plastic surgeon by

the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is an assurance that the doctor is correctly trained and has kept up training. In addition, for your safety, check that the facility where you schedule surgery has accreditation from the Joint Commission on Health Care Facilities. Although all surgery has risks (your plastic surgeon will discuss them with you), having your procedure done in an accredited facility by a board-certified surgeon makes it more likely that your surgery and recovery are uneventful.