What defines a "massive weight loss pt"? Are there plastic surgeons that specialize in surgery for these types of pts?

Thank you for your excellent question.  In general massive weight loss patient is reserved for those individuals losing 100 or more pounds.  There are fellowships that surgeons can take after plastic surgery training that specialize in the body contouring procedures that many of these patients request.  Hope this helps.

Hello Apollo star,

Thank you for your question. The term "massive weight loss patient" typically refers to individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, often around 100 pounds or more. This can be due to various reasons, including diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery. The key factor is not just the total amount of weight lost but the impact this weight loss has had on the body, particularly in terms of excess or sagging skin.

Patients who have undergone massive weight loss often have unique needs compared to those seeking cosmetic surgery for other reasons. After substantial weight loss, the skin and tissues often lose elasticity and do not conform to the reduced body size. This can result in excess, hanging skin in various areas, including the abdomen, arms, thighs, and face. These patients may require more extensive surgical procedures to remove excess skin and reshape the body, which might include tummy tucks, arm lifts, thigh lifts, and body lifts.

As a plastic surgeon who specializes in massive weight loss patients, I focus on addressing these specific challenges. My approach involves not only removing excess skin but also sculpting the body to achieve a more natural and aesthetically pleasing shape. It's important for patients like you, who have worked hard to lose a significant amount of weight, to consult with a surgeon who understands the complexities of post-weight loss body contouring.

If you're considering plastic surgery after your remarkable weight loss achievement, I recommend seeking a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience and specializes in treating patients after massive weight loss. They can provide tailored advice and treatment plans that align with your specific needs and goals.

Congratulations on your weight loss journey, and I wish you the best in your next steps towards body contouring.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

While massive
weight loss is considered to be a general term, I often think of it in
particular for patients who have lost 100 or more pounds. Yes, there are plastic surgeons, such as
myself, who specialize in body contouring and have more experience in this
area. I hope this information is helpful
to you. Best of luck!

Thanks for your question and congratulations on your weight loss success!  There is not a standard definition for the amount of weight loss that qualifies as 'massive,' but that terminology is typically associated with patients who have lost significant amounts of weight following a bariatric procedure.  Multiple research studies have demonstrated benefits such as better long-term weight control and sustained quality of life improvement in post-bariatric surgery patients after body contouring surgery.Patients who are seeking body contouring after weight-loss surgery may differ from patients presenting for other reasons in several ways.  One of the primary differences is the change in skin elasticity that occurs after a substantial amount of weight loss.  This may result in the need for longer incisions in order to remove the excess skin needed to achieve the desired contour that conforms to the reduced body size.  Plastic surgeons who commonly perform body contouring procedures are experts in placing those incisions along areas that may be hidden by most types of clothing.Additional reasons that post-weight loss surgery patients may differ relate to nutritional status and other pre-existing health conditions that may impact their candidacy for surgery as well as the risk for potential complications.  For those reasons, it is important to be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring surgery.

Hello and thank you for your excellent question.  Congratulations on your weight loss. I don't define it but anyone losing a lot more weight than we typically think about, say 30 to 40 pounds. I generally think about over 90 pounds. There are some plastic surgeons who do specialize in post massive weight loss body contouring I being one of them.The difference between body contouring in a patient who doesn't like there shape for whatever reason and someone who has had "massive weight loss " is:There is significantly more skin to remove which typically has lost some elasticity. It is far more complicated to not only move the tissue appropriately but creative attractive curves in doing so. Incisions need to be longer and therefore there are potentially more complications. There are many other reasons, suffice it to say that you should see someone who does specialize in this form of surgery. Peter Fisher M.D