Do Eating Disorder Histories Discourage Doctors from Removing Excess Skin?

February 18, 2009
Asked By:musicaligera in Austin, TX

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.

Answers (17)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
VOTED MOST HELPFUL
January 9, 2010

Answer: Will an eating disorder in my past prevent me from having excess skin removed?

3 people found this helpful
Armando Soto, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
VOTED MOST HELPFUL
January 9, 2010

Answer: Will an eating disorder in my past prevent me from having excess skin removed?

3 people found this helpful
Armando Soto, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
March 23, 2023

Answer: Do Eating Disorders Discourage Plastic Surgeons from Operating on a Patient? No!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
March 23, 2023

Answer: Do Eating Disorders Discourage Plastic Surgeons from Operating on a Patient? No!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
October 19, 2016

Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery

Richard J. Bruneteau, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
October 19, 2016

Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery

Richard J. Bruneteau, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Recommended reading

Body Lift

Everything you need to know about Body Lift

  • 96% worth it
  • 1.3k reviews
  • Avg cost: $21,324
Learn More
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
January 6, 2012

Answer: Eating disorder and surgery

Tom J. Pousti, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
January 6, 2012

Answer: Eating disorder and surgery

Tom J. Pousti, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
October 28, 2010

Answer: Body lift

October 28, 2010

Answer: Body lift

August 23, 2010

Answer: Eating disorders don't disqualify patients from plastic surgery but strongly influence the plastic surgeon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
August 23, 2010

Answer: Eating disorders don't disqualify patients from plastic surgery but strongly influence the plastic surgeon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Recommended reading

Body Lift

Everything you need to know about Body Lift

  • 96% worth it
  • 1.3k reviews
  • Avg cost: $21,324
Learn More
ADVERTISEMENT