Best Time to Get Loose Skin Surgery After Weight Loss?

asked 1 year ago by ChicoKath in Chico, CA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 432 times
Tags: female, after weight loss, massive weight loss, timing

Hi, After a Weight Loss of 150 - 200 Lbs Still Having 100 - 125 Lbs. to Go when is It Time to Consider Surgery to Remove Loose Skin?

I am not sure of my starting weight as the scale in the doctors office only went to 400lbs., however based on research, comparing pictures. I have done this weight loss without any surgery, diet & exercise, over a long period of time. Approximently 7 years. The last 1 1/2 years I have been working with a weight management program and it's been helpful. I know it takes a personal consultation to be accurate, so I am just wondering "in general" under these curcimstance what is a common story?

6 answers to Best Time to Get Loose Skin Surgery After Weight Loss?

Timing for surgery after weight loss

Congratulations on losing so much weight- you should be extremely proud of yourself. Before having your definitive surgery for excess skin, you should be at your goal weight for at least 6 months. Sometimes, if an extremely large skin apron is causing hygiene problems, an intermediate panniculectomy can be performed. This is most often not necessary. Often the first operation patients have is an abdominoplasty, with or without a body lift. However, when you have... more

Bruce Genter, MD
Abington Plastic Surgeon

www.drgenter.com

Weight loss surgery for skin

Congratulations. Your are doing fantastic. I am impressed. Would say that once you are at the weight you want to be at for the next 100 years wait one year and start with abdomen first. This may be a little conservative and at times earlier surgery can be a great boost in spirits. My Best.

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

Surgery after weight loss

I usually recommend that patients wait until their weight is stable for at least 6 months. There is no use in moving ahead with the significant surgery ahead while you are still making strides. By the way, my sister is a physician and lives in Chico and I will be visiting later this month. It is such a nice little town.

Steven Holzman, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Surgery After weight loss

I am truly impressed with your accomplishment! Congratulations. Surgery after Massive Weight Loss (MWL) is a big undertaking for both you and your surgeon. In general, the more you weigh the higher the complication rate. If you have another 100 pounds to go I would hope to see you lose half of that or more before considering surgery. Ideally it is best to wait until your weight has been stable for 6 months. Even if it is not "ideal", if it is a... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Best Time for Surgery after Weight Loss

Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss! You should delay any surgery ideally until you have reached your weight goal. If you plan on significant further weight loss as you do, surgery may need to be performed again if you have it done now. Therefore, it would be best to wait.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Losing Weight prior to surgery

Thank you for your question. .. Congratulations on your weight loss! For the best results, I ask my patients to be at their lowest, most stable weight for at least 4-6 months prior to having surgery. When a patient has surgery and then loses more weight, it is more likely that a revision will be necessary. Make sure that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with patients who have had massive weight loss. Best Wishes! more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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