I had gastric sleeve surgery 5 months ago, I lost 75lbs. I'm considering a male tummy tuck with six pack?

If your weight is now stable, you could go ahead with surgery at this time.  I am unaware of this particular surgeon.  Although many U.S. surgeons frown on going for surgery abroad, it is something to consider especially if cost is a major consideration for you.  South American surgeons were some of the world's pioneers in cosmetic surgery, though you have to make sure the surgeon you choose is of high quality.  It can be difficult getting follow up care back in the U.S. so you may want to remain near the site of your surgery for a while to minimize the chance of having an issue after coming home and then having to go back there.  Good luck!

Hello, and thank you for your question. You had gastric sleeve surgery five months ago and lost 75 pounds. You are considering having a male tummy tuck with a six-pack. When contemplating plastic surgery is important to reach your goal weight and have a stable weight for at least 2 to 3 months before considering plastic surgery. To reach your goal, it may take longer than five months after your gastric sleeve surgery. Therefore, it is important to plateau before considering reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss. You do not want to lose significant weight after your plastic surgery procedures because further weight loss could jeopardize your results and require expensive, unnecessary, and avoidable revisions.
Regarding traveling abroad for elective plastic surgery, you need to realize the risks. The risks include limited preoperative evaluation. You may not have adequate time to be fully assessed preoperatively in terms of your past medical history, medication, allergies, and previous surgeries. Also, inadequate screening increases the risk of anesthesia complications and poor surgical outcomes. You also must realize that many international plastic surgeons, though they’re highly skilled, have widely varying credentials and training standards compared to US plastic surgeons. In addition, foreign surgical facilities may lack accreditation or fall short of US standards for sterility, anesthesia, safety, and emergency preparedness. There is also a risk of infections and poor wound healing. Overseas facilities of lower quality may have increased rates of infection, such as MRSA or Pseudomonas. In addition, suboptimal sterilization and postoperative wound care practices can contribute to complications, delayed healing, and wound dehiscence. Also, you need to realize that most complications, such as hematoma, seromas, implant infection, and tissue necrosis, occur after a patient returns home.
Additionally, many local US plastic surgeons may be hesitant and legally limited to treating complications from procedures performed abroad, which can delay care and increase cost. There may also be a lack of follow-up, which is essential for optimal healing and early detection of complications. Patients traveling abroad typically do not receive adequate follow-up, and patients leave before most risks have passed. Also, there may be communication barriers due to language and misinterpretation about consent, surgical goals, risks, and postoperative instructions. If there is a complication, pursuing malpractice claims or regulatory complaints abroad is often difficult, expensive, and ineffective. Most medical liability standards do not apply to international plastic surgeons. Also, air travel shortly after surgery increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Prolonged sitting, dehydration, and changes in cabin pressure can worsen recovery and compromise results. Also, while plastic surgery abroad may be cheaper, upfront complications, revisions, or emergency care upon returning to the US can often exceed the original savings.
Additionally, some insurance companies do not cover complications that arise after elective surgery performed abroad, so you need to read your insurance policy. Plastic surgery abroad is not inherently unsafe, but it presents serious risks, particularly when patients choose providers based solely on cost to minimize danger. Patients must thoroughly vet the plastic surgeon and the facility in robust pre- and postoperative care and understand the legal and medical limitations of having plastic surgery outside the US.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

When patients have experienced extreme weight loss due to diet and exercise, #gastricbypass surgery, or #stomachstapling  or #lapband surgery, there will be excess body skin that needs removal. In order to correct this problem many patients will need a #TummyTuck surgery, #panniculectomy, or #abdominoplasty.   This is becoming a highly requested procedure among patients who wish to rid themselves of excess skin and tighten muscle in their abdominal area. This procedure can be beneficial for patients with loose skin and stretch marks following weight gain and then loss, and patients who have undergone significant weight loss.



Now, there is no way that a six pack can be guaranteed. If you have had trouble losing abdominal fat with diet and exercise, your gastric bypass would have been a big help, but the development of a six pack would depend upon abdominal exercises. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your weight loss from surgery.  I would first recommend allowing your weight to stabilize for at least several months prior to pursuing surgery as this allows your skin to retract as much as possible.  Once weight stable, do your research into your surgeon to ensure their qualifications and ability to perform a tummy tuck safely and well.  Medical tourism may appears less expensive but once home and with limited access to your surgeon, costs may rise considerably.  Best wishes.

Congratulations on your weight loss!  I don't know the surgeon you mention, but I do have some general advice when it comes to seeking out a surgeon, whether it is a surgeon in the US or outside of the country.  First, make sure the surgeon(s) you are researching have met the highest qualifications in their country (in the US this means the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). This does not mean you are guaranteed to get the results you want, but at least you have chosen a surgeon whose knowledge, safety, and ethics have been evaluated.. Next, make sure the surgeon has been trained to do the type of surgery you are interested in (not a weekend course!, but an actual legitimate, recognized residency program). Also check if the surgeon has experience doing that type of surgery (you can start by looking at the surgeon's before and afters, though it is not unheard of for surgeons to falsely show other surgeons' results), hold hospital privileges at a nearby hospital (in case of emergency), and give you the sense of trust you need from your surgeon. Tummy tuck surgery in particular carries certain risks, and one of them is a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the leg, and this is potentially fatal. In the US, in accredited operating rooms there are certain safety measures taken, and certain protocols are followed after surgery. A reputable surgeon in another country would likely have similar concerns, but the rules in each country vary. Also, flying increases the risk of DVT so be careful how you time your surgery and travel plans. Please do not choose a surgeon outside of the country that you know nothing about, or only know one friend who had a nice result. That friend could have gotten lucky. You want to plan for good results, not hope for luck. There are obviously excellent surgeons all over the world, but figuring out who they are is not easy, and when you have so many great ones to choose from in New York, or elsewhere in the US, you need to have a really good reason to go elsewhere.A side note- For the best result, timing matters. I would recommend waiting until you are no longer actively losing weight, and have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months.