If you’ve decided that surgery after major weight loss is right for you, you might be wondering what you can expect from this life-changing procedure. You know that surgery can improve the appearance of sagging skin and uneven body contours left behind after losing a significant amount of weight, but what does it entail, exactly?
What is the FORM Face + Body approach to surgery after major weight loss?
We start by getting to know our patient and their priorities. This is a lifelong journey for most, and one that requires a lot of thought and planning. There are often many options in terms of procedures and the order in which they are performed, and we go through these options with each patient.
Which procedures will I need after major weight loss?
Weight loss can have radically different effects on a person’s body depending on several factors including how much weight was lost, how long it took to lose the weight, current weight, and age. Some will lose a significant amount of weight and see great recovery in their skin tone with the exception of a specific area of loose skin (the lower abdomen or upper arms, for example), while others will see loose skin in many areas.
For patients with specific areas of concern, we prioritize these and try to combine areas if possible; often one surgery is sufficient in these cases. For patients with loose skin everywhere, a detailed discussion of priorities and our considerations of which procedures combine well with one another will lead to a plan for several procedures that will ultimately achieve the body contour we’re looking for. For example, many patients prioritize their abdominal area, so we will often look after this area in combination with a procedure to tighten the waist and back or lift the buttocks. A second surgery might then look after the upper arms and breasts, while the final procedure would address the thighs.
Often, the most challenging part of this kind of surgery is putting together a truly individualized plan for each patient that balances our collective desire to get everything done as quickly as possible with predictive results and ultimate safety. This takes an enormous amount of patience from everyone on the team, most importantly the patient!
What are the risks of surgery after massive weight loss?
Each year thousands of women and men undergo successful surgery, experience no major problems and are happy with the results. Significant complications from surgery are infrequent, however, we want to make sure you understand what surgery involves, including possible risks, complications and follow-up care. Surgery poses various risks, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Allergic reaction to surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure
- Pain, swelling, and bruising during the first few weeks after surgery
- Visible scarring at the points of incision
- Uneven contours may occur in spite of efforts to balance skin and fat removal
- Rippling of the skin
- Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma)
- Skin loss (tissue necrosis)
- Changes in skin sensation
- Nerve damage
You can help minimize certain risks by following your surgeon’s advice and instructions, both before and after your surgery. If you have any concerns about the risks involved with surgery, please discuss these with our team.
What is the recovery process following surgery?
You should expect some soreness the day after surgery, which will be controlled with pain medication. Over 1-2 weeks, as your discomfort dissipates, so will your need for medication. You should expect to take at least 2 weeks off from work to recover. Heavy lifting and activities that require extensive use of the lower body should be avoided for 6-8 weeks, and sexual activity should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
Surgical drains may be placed to remove fluid that accumulates within the surgical area. Once the drains are removed, movements will be easier and you will be asked to wear a compression garment for the next 2-4 weeks to aid in comfort and to reduce swelling.
The incisions used will produce a permanent, noticeable scar around the surgical sites. The scars may be red or pink for several months, but should gradually improve.
Performing surgery after major weight loss is so rewarding for us. The team at FORM Face + Body has a special connection with our major weight loss patients because of their commitment to their health, confidence and comfort. We follow this group of patients very carefully and are so excited to see how these positive changes have an incredible impact on their lives.
