Plastic Surgery: Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss Article

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Plastic Surgery: Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

The use of plastic surgery after massive weight loss is on the rise with the increase in men and women interested in shedding unhealthy pounds. Two body contouring procedures which are able to treat the effects of massive weight loss include the body lift and the tummy tuck.

Author: A Aaronson

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According to John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Human Nutrition, obesity rates rose from 13% during the 1960s to 32% in the year 2004. Furthermore, a 2007 study, appearing in the journal Epidemiologic Reviews, stated that if the present rate of obesity continues, then 75% of adults and almost 24% of children and adolescents within the United States will be overweight or obese by the year 2015.

This rise in obesity is accompanied by many individuals seeking to have some form of plastic surgery whose goal is to minimize the effects of massive weight loss. This is supported by a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) which found that almost 67,000 cosmetic operations were performed in 2007 in order to correct for the effects of massive weight loss.

One of the most significant effects is that massive weight loss may cause the skin to become loose and inelastic. With loose skin and extra folds, this may result in discomfort as well as hygiene issues. There are a number of body contouring procedures which can counter the effects of excess skin and folds after massive weight loss. Two of these procedures are, a body lift and a tummy tuck.

A body lift is also known as "belt lipectomy" or lower body lift. It tightens the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, which often have sagging skin after the weight loss. This treatment can be used to improve the body after post bariatric surgery, aging or childbearing with removal of hanging skin folds, cellulite, and sagging fatty tissue.

A good candidate for a body lift should have stabilized his or her weight for six months to a year. The patient should also be active with regular exercise and dietary program. After gastric bypass, Lap-Band, or other gastric procedures, a patient should wait until at least one year after the surgery to ensure the common side effects or health problems related to the obesity have had proper time to stabilize.

A tummy tuck concentrates only on the abdomen. It removes excess skin and fat tissue from the midsection which gives a smoother and shapely figure. A tummy tuck may be all that is needed after weight loss, and this procedure is much more standard than a full body lift, but it is still recommended that you choose your cosmetic surgeon with care.

Post weight loss plastic surgery is a relatively new area of plastic surgery, and few plastic surgeons have developed extensive experience in this field. Continuing education regarding post-bariatric plastic surgery and the body lift procedure is provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In looking for a qualified surgeon for yourself, look for an advanced level of training of the doctor you are consulting.

Finally, you should look for a plastic surgeon who listens attentively to your opinions, makes an effort to understand your aesthetic goals during consultation, and who helps you to understand the realistic vision of the possible results of the procedures. A board certified cosmetic surgeon with specialized experience in this area and a dedication to patients is what you should look for in a physician for these procedures.

About Author

In Los Angeles body lift, arm lift, and thigh lift are specialties of Dr. Joel Aronowitz, board certified plastic surgeon and Chief, Plastic Surgery Division at Cedars Sinai. Read more about his qualifications and on post bariatric weight loss cosmetic procedures at www.aronowitzmd.com.

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