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Do Eating Disorder Histories Discourage Doctors from Removing Excess Skin?
I'm 24 years old, weigh 100 lbs and am 5'2". About 5 years ago I developed an ED that led me to lose more than half of my body weight, going from about 190-200 lbs (after I got that heavy I didn't want to weigh myself, so I don't know the exact weight - I wore a size 18, though) to 86 lbs at my worst. Thanks to the help/encouragement of loved ones I went to a doctor about 2.5 years ago and started making improvements in my life that helped me reach a healthier weight.
Unfortunately, my initial major weight loss happened over the course of 6 months and led to excess skin that serves as a reminder of the person I used to be. Given my history of anorexia and my current weight, would I be disqualified as a candidate for body contouring surgery so that I can get rid of that excess skin? After undergoing several exams, the worst doctors found that resulted from my ED was some loss of bone calcium.
Asked 36 months ago by
musicaligera in Austin, TX
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Will an eating disorder in my past prevent me from having excess skin removed?
Hi there-
First of all, congratulations on conquering the nasty weight demons! You should be proud of yourself.
Now that you've achieved a more healthy outlook and body, there are several important considerations...
I can certainly understand how the excess skin and undesirable body contour it causes would be an unpleasant reminder for you, and your motivation for having it removed. I don't think your motivations would be perceived as unhealthy.
There are other psychological and physical...
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Eating disorder and surgery
Thank you for your question.
Congratulations on getting the support you need to get you through this time. I believe that as long as the eating disorder is under control (sometimes I ask for a letter from the treating clinician) and there are no body dysmorphic issues, I would not think it would be a problem going forward with surgery.
Best Wishes!
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Eating disoder and surgery
As long as your eating disorder is udner control and you are cleared by your therapist and medical doctor, I do not see a problem going ahead.
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Eating Disorders and Plastic Surgery
Thank you for your question. If you are medically cleared both physically and mentally and your eating disorder is under control (because proper nutrition is imperative for healing after surgery) then proceeding with surgery should be just fine. It is important to discuss everything with your surgeon before doing anything. Ask a lot of questions and be sure that your expected results are within reason and attainable. Be sure that you consult with a board certified plastic...
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Not necessarily...
Hello,
Complex patients require individual evaluation when considering surgery particularly large scale surgery. There are few absolutes.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
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Body lift
If you need to improve your self image the surgery do it. You need to have a good nutritional status and have a clearence form your psycolgist and nutriologyst. Good look with your reconstruction
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Eating disorders and plastic surgery
Congratulations on getting healthy! We deal with many women who have had eating disorders. So long as you are truly healthy and have realistic expectations, you may be a great candidate for body contouring. Prepare yourself, though, for the scars that must replace the loose skin.
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Eating disorders don't disqualify patients from plastic surgery but strongly influence the plastic surgeon.
Cosmetic plastic surgery generates physical changes that make most patients happy. That's the point. If there is a psychological condition that prohibits a person from experiencing the psychological benefits of a totally elective operation, why do it?
In the case of massive weight loss, most patients are very please having excess skin removed. However, for physiological safety, the weight should be stable for 6 months. This is also an indirect indicator...
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Body Contouring
It is really importnat that you will honest and frank with your plastic surgeon. As long as you have overcome your ED, then there is really no reason for you not to have plastic surgery after weight loss. However, for these surgeries, it is best to go to someone who specilalizes in these procedures. For many of my patients who are having multiple body contouring procedures, I enhance their diet with a nutritional support supplement. I believe that you will also benefit...
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Eating Disorders and Body Contouring Surgery
Congratulations on your success in beating an eating disorder. I'm so glad to hear of your healthy success. Personally, I don't think your history of an eating disorder prevents you from having successful body contouring surgery. Much like a massive weight loss patient, it's important to know that your weight has been stable for about a year. Also, it's important to be sure that your ability to heal your wounds is intact. You should have your nutritional labs checked...
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Eating disorders and plastic surgery
Your accomplishments are inspiring. Acknowledgment of an eating disorder is very difficult, and probably saved your life. You deserve accolades for this! When evaluating any patient for surgery, specifically body contouring, a focus on your history of weight loss, nutritional status, and your psychological status are imperative.
Having a history of anorexia or bulimia does not immediately disqualify you from body contouring. Rather, having a stable weight with direct involvement of...
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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
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Body contouring after history of anorexia
First, congratulations on your accomplishment! It takes a lot of strength and courage to change your life, and I am happy to hear you have support form your loved ones.
A history of anorexia does not automatically disqualify you from have body contouring surgery. It does raise a number of questions though, just to make sure you are now in a safe physical and emotional state to handle the stress of surgery.
The surgery itself, while safe in appropriate candidates, still adds a stress to...
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Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
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Eating disorders and plastic surgery
Many plastic surgery procedures are done on people whose bodies have suffered from some psychological issue. Eating disorders and anorexia are often associated with a perfectionistic personality disorder.
While we try to make a perfect effort for all our patients, plastic surgery is not always perfect. You need to be in solid physical and psychological health to have successful cosmetic surgery and to handle some of the issues that can arise not to mention the scars. It sounds like you...
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Does an eating disorder history discourage Plastic surgeons from removing excess skin?
All body contouring operations involve a major assault on the body even though this one is done in a clean, organized fashion in an operating room. For the wounds to heal properly the patient has to be in good health, the weight must be stable (non fluctuating), well nourished, chronic disease states (such as high blood pressure) must be stabilized as must be any mental state issues.
Since many patients have emotional upheavals after surgery, many Plastic surgeons would operate on such as...
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Nutritional, but also psychological considerations
Excess skin is certainly bothersome, and many patients benefit from body contouring surgery to remove that excess skin. First, the doctor needs to make sure your nutritional status is normal. Second, is the fact that you may have some component of body dysmorphic disorder. You may need clearance from a psychologist before having surgery
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
