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.
Answer: 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 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!
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CONTACT NOW Answer: 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 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!
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Do Eating Disorders Discourage Plastic Surgeons from Operating on a Patient? No! 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
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Do Eating Disorders Discourage Plastic Surgeons from Operating on a Patient? No! 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
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October 19, 2016
Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery 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.
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CONTACT NOW October 19, 2016
Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery 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.
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January 6, 2012
Answer: 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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CONTACT NOW January 6, 2012
Answer: 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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October 28, 2010
Answer: 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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CONTACT NOW October 28, 2010
Answer: 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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August 23, 2010
Answer: 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 of the patient's emotional health.
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CONTACT NOW August 23, 2010
Answer: 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 of the patient's emotional health.
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