POST-BARIATRIC PLASTIC SURGERY

With the growing popularity of bariatric, or gastric bypass surgery as a treatment for obesity, body contouring and skin removal after significant weight loss has become a field of special interest for Dr. Koenig.

By applying the latest techniques in body sculpting individualized to each bariatric patient's specific needs and priorities, Dr. Koenig can help uncover the new shape that is hidden beneath the excess skin that remains after your goal weight has been achieved.

With significant weight loss over a relatively short period of time (usually 15-18 months), the remaining skin often does not retain the elastic qualities necessary to "shrink back down" to your new underlying shape. This often leaves post bariatric patients with excessive amounts of hanging skin that creates a multitude of problems such as daily hygiene and finding clothes that fit properly.

A comprehensive approach to the bariatric patient is necessary to achieve the optimal figure following weight loss. One of the most important considerations for a plastic surgeon is to realize that a bariatric patient must be treated differently from non-bariatric body contouring patients. What has worked well for many years on other patients simply does not provide adequate shaping and contouring for the bariatric patient.

Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery (gastric bypass surgery) and the subsequent significant weight loss may have numerous but similar areas of concern.

• Breast ptosis, or droopiness, as well as a loss of breast volume (Mastopexy (breast lift) is a procedure to lift the breasts and may be performed with or without the addition of breast implants (breast augmentation with lift)  to improve shape, fullness and cleavage augmentation of the breasts – using adjacent skin folds may also be indicated.)
• Sagging of the facial skin (Face lifting, forehead lifting and eyelid surgery ((blepharoplasty)) may be necessary to achieve complete facial rejuvenation, or you may be a candidate for endoscopic or minimally invasive techniques)
• Excess abdominal skin and a laxity of the muscles of the abdominal wall, sometimes with an accompanying hernia. (Abdominoplasty ((tummy tuck)) or a lower body lift procedure can contour the abdomen, hips and buttocks)
• Hanging skin under the arms (Brachioplasty ((arm lift)) is a technique to lift the arms)
• Wrinkling and excessive bagginess of the thighs (A medial thigh lift can lift the inner thighs)

Obviously all of these concerns cannot be addressed simultaneously during one plastic surgery operation. However, two post bariatric plastic surgery procedures usually can be safely combined. During your consultation, Dr. Koenig will assess your anatomy as well as your own priorities to help you develop a comprehensive plan for your body contouring following bariatric surgery. Before you decide to undergo body contouring plastic surgery following major weight loss, it is important to understand that your weight must be stabilized.

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