Do Eating Disorder Histories Discourage Doctors from Removing Excess Skin?

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 health considerations, however...
It is very important that you are in a good place mentally before your surgery can proceed. It sounds like you have achieved a healthier perspective, but surgery and its recovery can place significant additional stress on even the strongest of individuals, and post-surgical blues are not uncommon. This is because in the early postoperative period, swelling, bruising, fresh incisions, drain tubes, and discomfort may have you wondering exactly what you got yourself into- with time, as these short term discomforts and inconveniences are relieved and your lovely outcome is visible to you, your outlook will improve.
Visit with your doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist and discuss your desired body contour surgery with them. They'll be able to write a quick note to your chosen Board Certified Plastic Surgeon letting them know that they support you in this endeavor, and are ready to also assist you with the psychological stresses of the postop period.
It is equally important to see your doctor to be sure that your body's physical functioning is good and you are in optimal condition to undergo the physical stress of the operation. As mentioned by colleagues, good nutrition is essential to good healing and a smooth recovery.
So to summarize, I do not think that the fact you were troubled in the past would limit my personal comfort with taking you on as a patient, but I would want to know that we had done everything possible to make the surgery as healthy and safe an experience for you as possible.
I hope that helps you- I wish you continued good luck!

Thank you for your question regarding whether eating disorders discourage surgeons from removing excess skin. The eating disorder needs to be evaluated on an individual patient-by-patient basis. Since you have lost significant weight and you have no other medical problems, I would say you perhaps are a good candidate for 360 circumferential lower body lift. However, it is extremely important after surgery that you consume about 80 to 100 grams of protein a day. Your history of eating disorders may complicate this, but it is paramount to your healing. You may need a consultation with a board-certified registered dietitian to help you obtain these results. Therefore, I see no contraindication to you undergoing access and removal, even with a history of an eating disorder. Good luck. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding whether doctors discourage patients from undergoing the removal of excess skin with a history of eating disorders

No two patients are ever exactly alike and each patient needs to be evaluated based on his/her own situation. Massive weight loss in someone with anorexia is an extremely complicated problem. Under these circumstances, it's important to  optimize both physical and mental health before proceeding with surgery.It's, therefore, important that agreement exists amongst your health care team regarding the suitability of massive weight loss surgery. If a consensus exists, it's appropriate to proceed at your convenience.

 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

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 of the patient's emotional health.

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 from this.

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 your life. The road to recovery from anorexia can be bumpy, and what your surgeon wants to know is are you in a stable place emotionally to handle it. To evaluate that he or she may ask you how long your weight has been stable, if you have had the support of a psychologist or psychiatrist during your recovery, and other aspects of your history such as depression or body dysmorphic disorder, etc. Even if you seem perfectly fine, you may be asked to visit a psychiatric professional for a "surgical clearance" to be on the safe side.
Physically, anorexia takes a toll on your nutritional status as well, and this needs to be addressed before surgery too. In order to have proper wound healing you want to be nutritionally sound before undergoing surgery to avoid unnecessary complications. This involves a visit with your primary doctor and blood tests to check for any deficiencies.
Again, these are just safety measures, and yes, you can still be a candidate for surgery after recovering from anorexia.
Congrats again and good luck!

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!

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.

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 surgeon that is experienced with weight loss patients and can show you many before and after photos of the procedure or procedures you are interested in. Good Luck

Dr. Bernard Shuster, Miami Florida