This surgical procedure concerns patients who have a stabilized body weight at least for a year either through surgical interventions such as gastric bypass, sleeve, ring or through a diet program.
Weight loss of such an extent, results to extreme sagging of the skin and tissue droopiness and changes the image of the face, neck and lower body area.
All patients after massive weight loss are candidates for one or more operations to the areas of the face (Face Lift- Neck Lift) and body (breast lift, Arm lift, abdominoplasty, thigh lift, glutoplasty, Lower Body Lift, Body Lift, Belt Lipectomy).
These patients usually undergo combined surgical operations after a certain period of time, in order to achieve the best result to the whole body.
Am I a candidate for a body contouring after massive weight loss?
Candidates for surgery after massive weight loss are patients with signs of:
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Extended face-neck looseness
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Extended arm looseness
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Extended abdomen – body – pubic area looseness
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Extended thighs and buttocks looseness
Visit to the plastic surgeon
During your visit to Dr. Kretsis he will assess the quality and quantity of the loosen skin in each anatomic area.
Dr. Kretsis will be fully informed about your medical history (previous surgical operations, medication) and through a personalized approach and photographic material he will suggest the ideal combination of surgical operations that you must undergo in order to relieve yourselves from excess skin looseness and gain the body of your dreams.
Preparation for surgery
Before the surgical operation/operations that you have agreed upon, a detailed, hematological, radiographic, and cardiologic test should be performed.
Smoking should be stopped as well as the use of aspirin formulations, anti-inflammatory and nutritional supplements, vitamins.
All of these effect on the blood clotting mechanism and may cause bleeding.
Where are the incisions placed in surgery after massive weight loss?
Incision placement depends on the operation or combination of operation that you will need. These operations concern:
The face (Face Lift- Neck Lift).
The breast (Breast lift – Breast reduction).
The arms (Arm lift).
The abdominal area (Abdominoplasty, Body Lift thigh lift).
Buttock area (Gloutoplasty).
Lower Body Lift.
How many operations are required after massive weight loss?
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It depends on how many pounds you lost.
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The bone structure of the face and body.
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And the body type of the legs.
The usual practice is mainly for very large sagging (usually two surgeries are required involving the abdomen, body and legs).
After 6-8 months we perform surgery on the breast and arms.
On the face and neck we usually intervene in the last phase of the operative plan.
The surgery
After the complete preoperative control the patient undergoes the surgery or the combination of two operations indicated by Dr Kretsis.
These operations require general anesthesia and last about 5-6 hours.
The long duration of the procedure occurs due to the extensive excess skin that has to be removed.
The patient is transferred to a hospital room after the surgery and is able to move the following day. His hospitalization depends on the type of the operation he underwent and is between 1 to 3 days.
The patient leaves the hospital following specific postoperative instructions.
Recovery
The patient is able to move from the following day but capable only for indoor activities for a few days.
Usually he can return to work after 15 days.
It is advisable to avoid any fatigue for 5 days and driving for 12-15 days. Sutures are not removed as they are absorbable.
In conclusion
To patients after massive weight loss, Dr Kretsis will suggest the ideal combination of interventions to achieve the maximum improvement in each area.
Dr Kretsis through personalized approach and through the wide experience and the detailed surgical technique will save you forever from your skin looseness problem and will give you the contour of your dreams.