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)

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January 9, 2010

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

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Armando Soto, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
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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
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March 23, 2023

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

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

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

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

Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery

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

Answer: Eating Disorders And Massive Weight loss Surgery

Richard J. Bruneteau, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
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January 6, 2012

Answer: Eating disorder and surgery

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

Answer: Eating disorder and surgery

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

Answer: Body lift

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October 28, 2010

Answer: Body lift

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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
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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
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