I recently read a compelling medical success story in the New York Times about a morbidly obese man who lost 650 pounds after bariatric surgery. Though it reported on an extreme case it connected with my own experiences with this patient group at the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Paramus, NJ. Bariatric surgery is only the first step in improving body image for people struggling to lose large amounts of weight.
Oftentimes weight loss surgeons refer patients to me for their follow-up cosmetic surgery. I frequently consult with them while they are moving towards their goal. But realistically, I tell bariatric patients their cosmetic surgery should not take place before they have lost about 100 pounds. While these patients are typically delighted with their weight loss they must still deal with the residual amounts of hanging, loose, excess skin. We believe in treating every patient’s cosmetic challenges as unique because patients develop excess skin in areas specific to them.
Depending upon those specifics we will customize a surgery plan that usually involves several staged interventions. Many gastric bypass patients experience sagging skin in the trunk, hips, thighs, and stomach areas. Here our expertise in body lift surgery, abdominoplasty, and liposuction comes into play. Others with evident weight loss effects in the face and neck area seek solutions such as a facelift, necklift and/or liposuction.
It is a long road for bariatric patients, but I have found in my practice that this patient group is among the most self-satisfied once their cosmetic surgery is completed. Not only has their health improved immeasurably from accomplishing that long, elusive weight loss, but their self-esteem is given a gigantic boost once they rid themselves of the unsightly reminder of their former lives. For the article I cited seehttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/nyregion/former-980-pound-man-adjusts-…
If you’d like to find out what we can do to help you accomplish your aesthetic desires and goals, please contact our office manager who will schedule your consultation with me.