Obesity

Post WLS Plastic Surgery – Is it Mandatory?

December 9, 2009
By Alma Orozco

Dramatic weight loss achieved as the result of bariatric surgery, or from other forms of medical treatment, has several benefits as far as the reduction in morbidities associated with obesity is concerned. Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery must accept a lifetime of changes; eating habits, lifestyle adjustments, and prolonged medical supervision. However, in spite of reaching weight loss goals and a drastic lifestyle modification, the patient may not achieve the desired healthy body image.

Which brings us to the inevitable question: post WLS plastic surgery: is it mandatory?

The answer is not as simplistic, and there are several considerations, apart from aesthetics. Skin and subcutaneous tissues cannot conform to the reduced body size because of impaired elasticity, resulting in skin that sags. The stretched and sagging skin is weak and unattractive and often becomes macerated.This wet and infected skin can pose a serious threat to the patients’ health, being a source of constant discomfort by causing rashes and even serious infections.

Another important consideration is the psychological impact of not achieving the desired body shape in spite of stringent lifestyle changes and undergoing the morbidities associated with bariatric surgery.

Plastic surgery for body contouring following weight loss surgery not only improves the shape and tone of the body, but also removes excess sagging fat and skin. The result is a more normal appearance of the body, with smoother, more harmonious contours. This results in a positive body image commensurate with the initial expectations of the patient.

Aesthetic surgery following drastic weight loss includes body contouring options as tummy tuck, liposuction, and body lift. These procedures help patients to enjoy the complete benefits of weight loss including cosmesis and the positive psychological effect of having a refined body.

However, before a decision is made to undergo body contouring following major weight loss, it is essential that the weight loss be stable for a considerable duration of time. Otherwise, continued loss of weight after body contouring plastic surgery will result in redevelopment of the sagging pockets. Similarly, regaining the weight can stress the already weakened and thinned skin, resulting in visible stretch marks and widened scars.

A consultation with the plastic surgeon and the bariatric surgery team is imperative to learn understand how body contouring following major weight loss can help the patient achieve better health and an improved appearance. This includes an evaluation of the individual case in terms of the options available in body contouring surgery as well as expectations of the patient.The patient must be informed of the likely outcomes of plastic surgery following WLS and associated risks.

Potential complications include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, delayed or poor wound healing, and irregular or asymmetric contours or scars, apart from the risks associated with anesthesia due to repeated surgical procedures.

It is therefore essential to evaluate the risk benefit ratio on a case to case basis, in consultation with experienced specialists in the field, before concluding that post WLS plastic surgery is mandatory.

Alma Orozco is a certified patient coordinator of the Ready4Achange team for weight loss surgery in Monterrey, Mexico. Monterrey is rated as the safest city in Latin America and the medical facilities out there are certified by US hospitals. The low cost of living makes surgery very affordable in Mexico. You can check out Gastric sleeve surgery done by Dr Zapata at CIMA Monterrey by clicking on the link.

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