Weight Loss Surgery is Not Plastic Surgery
Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, includes procedures such as lap band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass surgeries. These are performed by general surgeons with specialized training in such procedures. They are designed to decrease the patient’s stomach capacity, and therefore his or her appetite. As you would expect, this helps the patient drop those stubborn kilos.
These surgeries have been shown to be quite effective for those who have a significant amount of weight to lose. This can be life-changing – reducing the risk of chronic disease, lessening the strain on joints, improving appearance, and boosting confidence in those who achieve weight loss. Many women post-pregnancy struggle to lose the ‘baby weight’ and with normal day-to-day activities may not be able to watch their weight or exercise as much as pre-pregnancy, these procedures can help. Many women also, follow diets and exercise and are able to lose large amounts of weight this way, but both ways can cause other issues.
However, these surgeries don’t address the concerns that follow significant weight loss. Often, when someone has carried a large amount of excess weight for many years, the skin doesn’t bounce back after weight loss. These patients may be left with a new lighter body, but with sagging skin they don’t necessarily appreciate. Plus, it is a rare bariatric surgeon who has the training to address these concerns, so you should really seek professional expertise with surgeons in that field.
Plastic Surgery is Not Weight Loss Surgery
On the other hand, plastic surgery includes “body contouring” procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, thigh, arm, and breast lifts and reductions, and even body lifts.
These procedures do a great job of improving the appearance of individuals who have been at or near their ideal weight for at least six months. They can allow patients to wear clothes that fit well and participate freely in desired activities without the pain and even embarrassment caused by excess skin. But they are not weight loss procedures themselves. Even liposuction, which removes fat from under the skin, does not result in many kilos lost. It is meant to target trouble spots that diet and exercise can’t seem to budge. So don’t expect to see the needle on the scale move much after liposuction or other body contouring procedures. They are not a substitute for bariatric surgery or diet and exercise. Liposuction recently has seen a lot of publicity to give you the idea of weight loss, this is not true. It can also result in dents and lumpiness in your skin, which can cause other concerns, liposuction is only for contouring to help with the final shape. We all know about the stubborn areas on our bodies that don’t matter how much weight loss happens, these areas and pockets just don’t budge, so liposuction is great for these areas.
Plastic Surgery and Weight Loss Go Hand-in-Hand
If you have lost a significant amount of weight – whether through surgery or lifestyle changes, plastic surgery can play an important role in helping you achieve your goals for your body.
Thigh lifts and tummy tucks can be used to remove and tighten up excess skin that remains after weight loss. Liposuction can target trouble spots where stubborn fat doesn’t respond to your best efforts, at diet and exercise. A breast lift and/or breast implants can restore a more youthful, perky appearance if breasts lose fullness and sag more after weight loss. After all, weight loss doesn’t discriminate among body parts.
Truly, plastic surgery after losing a significant amount of weight is a custom affair. Each body will respond differently, revealing different “problem” areas. And everyone will be bothered by different issues. One person may not mind sagging breasts but can’t live with excess tummy skin. Another may want a more youthful profile for her breasts, but not have much concern over the stubborn “love handles” that remain even after the excess weight is gone. It really is a very personal decision about what you would like to have for your body.
Who is a candidate for excess skin removal surgery?
Dr. Teerapat will review your medical form and photos and then confirm your assessment in a Zoom call before you travel to Thailand.
In general, you may be a good candidate for excess skin removal surgery if you:
- Maintain your goal weight for at least six months following major weight loss.
- Commit to a healthy lifestyle (nutritious diet and exercise) to help keep off the lost kilos.
- Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products. Smoking slows wound healing and can increase the risk of surgical complications.
- Are in generally good health, without any significant medical problems that might make surgery too risky.
- Have realistic expectations about what the procedures can accomplish.
Thailand can offer you the option of having more procedures than what you are able to afford back home. Due to the cost of living and other factors, Thailand can give you lower prices, but NOT lower quality. Dr. Teerapat, who is a Plastic Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon – with many years of training beyond a Plastic surgeon’s skill, is a specialist in post-weight loss skin surgery. He is also able to help you do multiple procedures in one visit to him. Medi Makeovers and Dr. Teerapat will create a personalised package, outlining the direction of your procedures, length of stay, costs, and basically everything you will need to know to make your decision.
Having your procedures with Medi Makeovers and Dr. Teerapat will also allow you to rest and recover properly post-surgery. Our nurses visit you in the hotel and request you to follow a post-surgery protocol to ensure that you maximise your healing whilst you are in Bangkok, relaxing in our 5-star hotels.
Start your process now and let Medi Makeovers offer you a personal assessment!
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