Chirurgia după slăbire masivă / Postbariatrică

Balance beyond aesthetics

After the gastric sleeve intervention, patients lose a significant amount of weight, but changes occur at the level of the skin, resulting in excess skin hanging over different regions of the body. Patients choose different aesthetic techniques to improve their appearance.

More and more people dealing with morbid obesity are turning to bariatric surgery or gastric bypass to help them lose weight.

Reshaping after weight loss requires a combination of procedures. Excess skin after massive weight loss can be performed in several areas of the body, and this is the reason why it is necessary to combine multiple surgical interventions on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, breasts, arms and even the back.

A major problem that occurs postoperatively is the existence of large and visible scars. However, this can be easily accepted by the patient, weighing it against the benefits and spectacular results after the aesthetic surgeries. Most often, patients turn to abdominoplasty, arm lift, thigh lift, mastopexy or, in the case of men, the surgery of gynecomastia. These surgeries can be performed simultaneously or one after the other.

Who is a good candidate for post-bariatric surgery / after massive weight loss?

In general, suitable candidates for massive post-bariatric surgery are:

adults whose weight is stable;
healthy individuals without medical conditions that affect healing or increase the risk of surgery;
non-smokers;
people with a positive outlook and realistic goals;
people who are committed to have a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness.

What should you expect during a consultation for surgeries after massive weight loss?

During a consultation after massive weight loss we will discuss the following:

why do you want this surgery and what are your expectations;
medical history, including allergies and medical treatments;
in the section on currently administered medication, also specify the vitamins, supplements, alcohol consumption, whether or not you are a smoker;
family history of cancer.

The doctor will take care to:

ask about general health, medical history or factors that may represent a risk;
examine and make detailed measurements;
photograph the areas for which the operation is desired;
it recommends what is best for you;
during the consultation it is advisable to ask questions directly to the doctor. It is very important to understand all aspects of such surgery. It is normal to have anxiety before the intervention.

What are the stages of a body contouring procedure?

After massive weight loss, patients may need more surgeries. This is decided during the preoperative consultation, together with the specialist doctor. Plastic surgery procedures that may be recommended by your surgeon include:

arm lifting / brachioplasty;
breast lifting / mastopexy;
facelift;
abdominoplasty;
thigh lift;
gynecomastia.

How should you prepare for post-bariatric surgery?

To prepare for interventions after massive weight loss, you may be asked to:

stop smoking;
avoid taking aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory drugs because they increase bleeding. Do not stop them without talking to the doctor!
you do not use other substances.
it would be preferable to have someone drive you to the hospital and take you home the next day after the surgery.

Body lift procedures are surgical procedures and they require extensive incisions. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as surgical judgment.

Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits.

Surgery after massive weight loss includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Step 2 – The incision

Step 3 – Closing the incision

Step 4 – Results