Surgery After Massive Weight Loss

We now see quite a few patients who have lost over 100 pounds following gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve surgery. On occasion, we even see patients who have lost over 200 pounds! This is a great accomplishment, and something to be very proud of, but as a consequence they require multiple plastic surgery procedures to lift and tighten the loose skin. The surgery required depends on how loose the skin is, and what result the patient desires. Insurance rarely pays for this plastic surgery because it is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary.

The most important aspect of any surgery is to be safe. Massive weight loss patients require a medical clearance with blood testing, should be at a stable weight, and must have good nutritional health in order to heal the surgical sites. Conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes must be under good control.
At the consultation we examine you and design a surgical plan based on your health, your desires, your anatomy, and surgical safety. One thing that makes our practice a little different is that we can use 2 surgeons operating simultaneously and perform more procedures in one surgical session, therefore saving anesthesia time, operative time, recovery time, and surgical expense. Patients can often combine 3 or 4 procedures at the same session. Examples of procedures include face lift, lower body lift ( which includes a tummy tuck ), arm lift, thigh lift, and breast lift. Of course every patient does not require all of these procedures. The idea is to use one operation, one anesthesia, one recovery period, and reduce the cost by 40-50%.

These procedures change peoples’ lives for the better. Look on our gallery to see some of our results. And come in for a consultation to see what is possible for you personally. It’s simply the next step to getting your body back in excellent condition.

George Weston, M.D.