Post Bariatric / Skin Tightening Surgery
Major weight loss through diet and exercise or with aid of bariatric surgery, such as a gastric bypass or lap band, often will result in excessive sagging skin left behind after the body deflates. This often leaves the arms, breasts, abdomen, thighs and even the face and neck looking irregular. Body contouring post weight loss, or post bariatric surgery, is actually a set of several different operations designed to remove the extra skin after you achieve your optimum weight in order to give your body a more normal appearance. Body contouring procedures include arm lifts, thigh lifts, lower body lifts, face and neck lifts, tummy tucks and breast lifts.
Before you decide to have plastic surgery, think carefully about your expectations and make sure you discuss them with Dr. Hamawy. If you want to want to improve the appearance of your body, you can have body contouring surgery in New Jersey with Dr. Adam Hamawy. Dr. Hamawy is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Am I a Good Candidate for Post Bariatric Surgery?
In order to be a candidate the patient must have a healthy BMI. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can be an indicator how much fat is present in the body. BMI can be used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems and overall health of an individual.
Common Procedures
- Arm lift (brachioplasty)
- Thigh lift
- Upper Body lift (Arm lift + Breast lift)
- Lower Body lift (Abdominoplasty + Buttock lift)
- Facelift
- Breast lift
Quick Facts
- Length: 2-6 hours depending on the extent of resection
- Anesthesia: General
- In/Outpatient: Outpatient or one night in hospital
- Recovery: Return to work: 2 weeks – Light exercise: 4 weeks – Return to full activity: 6-8 weeks
Completely satisfied. Dr. Hamawy should be recognized for the passion he has to help and care for his patients. He is very professional and kind taking the time to explain everything. I felt very cared for during my visit with Dr. Hamawy.
Post Bariatric Surgery Consultation
During your first visit, Dr. Hamawy will examine and measure your abdomen considering factors such as the quality of skin, the amount of underlying fatty tissue, and the contour of your body. If you are still actively losing weight, Dr. Hamawy will advise you to delay the surgery until your weight has stabilized. Be prepared to discuss any medical conditions you may have such as allergies, prior surgeries and medications, vitamins or other supplements that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking at least 3 weeks before your surgery.
Dr. Hamawy is concerned about your health and safety and, depending on your medical status, may ask for additional evaluations before proceeding with surgery. You will learn about the procedure, its limitations and risks, and Dr. Hamawy will discuss your needs and concerns. He will explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on your examination and factors such as the distribution of fatty tissue, the location and amount of excess skin and quality of skin tone. For your safety, if several procedures are planned, he advises you to divide the surgeries into two or three stages. After your consultation, photographs will be taken for your medical record.
Techniques
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is performed by removing the loose skin and fat that is located along the inner thighs. This corrects the sagging appearance of the inner and outer thighs. In some cases this may be through an incision in the groin area, however, in most weight loss patients, removing all the excess skin requires an incision that extends down the inside of your thighs from the groin to the knees.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Similar to the thigh, arm surgery is performed by removing the loose skin and fat that hangs below the upper arm. In some cases, this may be done leaving an incision in the armpit only, however, in most patients after massive weight loss, removing all the excess skin requires using an incision that extends from the armpit to the elbow. Of all the body contouring procedures, these tend to leave the most prominent scars due to the way they heal.
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift is a procedure that corrects the sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs. This is accomplished by combining the procedure normally performed for a tummy tuck and extending the incisions completely around your backside, over the upper part of your buttocks. Although this may seem extreme, it has a very positive effect on your waist and entire lower body.
The Day of Surgery
Before surgery, you will be given medicine to lessen the anxiety and pain. General anesthesia is typically used, so you will be completely asleep. You will meet your anesthetist before your procedure and he or she will answer any questions you may have about your anesthesia. After surgery, you will awake in a recovery area where you will be closely monitored.
Surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure at a certified ambulatory surgery center, or at one of several affiliated hospitals with an overnight stay. Whether you stay overnight or not be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay to help you the first few days while at home.
Recovery
Be assured that your relationship with Dr. Hamawy does not end after your surgery. If you have any concerns during your recovery, or have more questions at a later time, you can always contact Dr. Hamawy.
Some discomfort or pain is normal following surgery. When you are discharged, you will be given prescriptions for pain medication. Your abdomen will feel very tight and you will walk stooped over for the first week and slowly straighten as your skin stretches. You will wear a binder or compression garment for three weeks, day and night, following your surgery. If you have surgery on your arms or thighs, it is common to have some prolonged swelling that may take several months to resolve.
Most patients return to work after two or three weeks, however, plan on having limited physical activity and restrictions against exercise for at least six weeks. You may have drains that will require you to measure and record the fluid that your body expresses. These are usually removed in the office after five to seven days.
Your follow-up visits will usually start five to seven days following your surgery for a checkup and/or drain removal if necessary. During your postoperative visits, Dr. Hamawy will review activity limitations, incision care and concerns you may have. Following this visit you will return in approximately 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year.
Cost
After your initial consultation, you will be quoted a price that will include Dr. Hamawy’s fee as well as the operating room and any anesthesia fees. Financing options are available if needed.
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Princeton Plastic Surgeons, based in the New Jersey area, boasts board-certified surgeons who specialize in procedures such as facelifts, breast lifts, breast augmentations, and tummy tucks.