After bariatric surgery/massive weight loss, what are my options and what area should I start on first?

Men and women throughout Arnold, Perryville and other nearby communities, including Marion/Carbondale, Illinois, are invited to learn more about our body contouring surgeries.

Bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery, or “obesity surgery” is certainly becoming a more popular method for lowering a person’s body mass index. How much weight a person has can impact their physical and mental health in a number of ways, but luckily weight loss devices can help. Even so, we are seeing more and more patients in consultation after rapid weight loss from bariatric surgery wondering what surgical procedure options might help remove the last bit of excess body weight. Average weight loss following bariatric operations slims the body significantly but can struggle to remove excess weight along the limbs or face. Losing weight in these areas can be challenging even with a healthy food intake and fewer calories. In these cases, patients may seek further surgical intervention.

We usually recommend waiting a minimum of nine months to a year after bariatric surgery procedures or when the patient’s significant weight loss has plateaued, they can sustain a healthy weight, and they are prepared for changes in their eating habits before beginning other weight loss surgeries. At the time of the consultation, we often will discuss excess weight in multiple areas including the face, chest or breast area, arms, abdomen, and thighs. We then ask the patients to prioritize the areas as to which one bothers them the most, second, third, etc. At the time of the consultation, we will do a history and physical, concentrate on the areas that are most bothersome to you, and explain what options are available for the areas of concern. Depending upon the findings on the exam and the overall health of the patient, it may be possible to do one, two, or potentially three areas in one open surgery However, these procedures are very individualized in order to create fewer complications.