Losing weight is no easy feat. However, after losing a massive amount of weight, you may find that you are displeased with your appearance despite being very pleased with your improved health. At the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA, we offer post-weight loss surgery to contour a client’s body following massive weight loss.
How Much Can You Lose With Weight Loss Surgery?
While there are several bariatric (weight loss) procedures on the market, they all result in massive weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery usually results in the loss of 30 to 40% of excess body weight in just six months. Gastric banding surgery usually results in the loss of one to two pounds weekly, or 25 to 50 pounds lost in just six months. Just 12 to 18 months after your bariatric surgery, you can expect a weight loss exceeding 100 pounds.
What Post-Weight Loss Procedures May Benefit Me?
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is one of the most popular post-weight loss surgery options. The scope of this procedure will vary based on your unique needs, but it is always used to improve the abdominal region. If you’ve lost over 100 pounds, you will need excess skin removed, most likely from above and below the navel.
Once excess skin is removed, you will find that exercise is far easier because there is no longer excess skin to get in your way when you try to exercise. Also, loose skin can be tightened and a small amount of fat can be excised during this procedure. However, the most incredible benefit of abdominoplasty is loose or torn abdominal walls can be tightened or repaired. This can treat any lower back pain you are experiencing due to poor posture.
Liposuction
Bariatric procedures result in a massive amount of weight loss, but there is no way to affect where fat is burned from. Also, even after people undergo a bariatric procedure and lose enough weight to reduce their risk of serious medical conditions, there is often too much fat remaining for them to feel self-confident. That’s where liposuction comes in.
Liposuction has been the gold standard in fat removal for nearly half of a century because it can remove over a quarter of localized fat deposits from the largest areas of concern. Also, it can remove up to four-fifths of localized fat deposits from smaller areas of concern. Even better, it results in permanent fat removal, something not even bariatric surgery can do.
How Liposuction Results in Permanent Fat Loss
Liposuction results in permanent fat loss because the human body stops being able to produce fat cells around the age of 25. Liposuction works by suctioning out fat cells through a cannula. Since adults can’t grow new fat cells, there will always be fewer fat cells in the treated area or areas.
If you lose fat any other way, be it through diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery, a calorie deficit occurs. Fat stored in fat cells is burned for fuel, but the fat cells remain whole, healthy, and able to store more fat in the future should excess calorie consumption occur.
Arm Tuck
People who lose a massive amount of weight also often find themselves with excess arm skin. If this is something you can relate to, you may benefit significantly from an arm tuck. An arm tuck is similar to abdominoplasty in that it involves the removal of excess skin, the tightening of loose skin, and the excision of a small amount of fat.
If you still have a significant amount of fat in your upper arm region, you may need liposuction in addition to your arm tuck to achieve sleek arms that you can be proud of. However, you should keep in mind that the only way to get the well-defined upper arms you want is to focus on performing tricep exercises past the point of muscle fatigue and eating enough protein. You should also remember that building muscle mass is a slow process.
Breast Lift
Many women feel like they would benefit from a breast lift following extreme weight loss. A breast lift involves removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin. Depending on whether you plan to become pregnant and subsequently nurse your infant, the position of your nipples may be changed by detaching the nipple from the underlying skin and repositioning it.
Let Dr. Bruce Kadz know during your initial consultation if you would like for your nipple to be repositioned but you plan to breastfeed in the future. He can reposition your nipples without separating the nipples from the skin so there is no chance that your ability to nurse would be affected. Note, following a breast lift, breast volume can decrease by a full cup size, and the shape of the top half of the breasts is not changed.
Breast Augmentation
Sometimes, women lose too much fat from their chest following extreme weight loss. This can lead to women feeling self-conscious about the appearance of their breasts. In such cases, breast augmentation is required to fill out the upper half of the breasts. Also, breast augmentation is commonly performed in conjunction with a breast lift due to the significant amount of volume lost after removing excess skin.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bruce Kadz will discuss all of your aesthetic goals with you to determine which post-weight loss surgery options are right for you. If breast augmentation is required to restore your self-confidence, he will determine how much of an increase you can get based on your waist and hip measurements and the size of your ribcage. He will also take into account how much volume loss can be expected after a lift.
Types of Breast Augmentation
Typically, breast augmentation involves the implantation of saline implants into the breasts. However, each type of breast augmentation has its benefits. For example, saline implants are firmer than silicone implants. Also, saline implants are less expensive than alternatives, they are easier to adjust, they are FDA-approved for women under the age of 22, and the incisions used for implantation are usually smaller.
Saline implants are not likely to wrinkle or ripple beneath the skin, and many women prefer the soft feel of the silicone to the firm feel of the saline. Also, many people feel that silicone implants look more natural than saline implants. Finally, you will need to consider whether you want gummy bear implants made up of ultra-cohesive silicone gel. Some of the benefits of this implant include:
- Excellent shape retention
- No risk of leaking
- Mitigated risk of capsular contracture
- Mitigated risk of folding or rippling
Who Is a Good Candidate for Post-Weight Loss Surgery?
Dr. Bruce Kadz will advise you on whether you are a good candidate for post-weight loss body contouring procedures during your initial consultation. As a good general rule of thumb, if you are in fairly good health and concerned about the appearance of one or more regions of your body, you will be considered a good fit. To determine whether you are healthy enough for body contouring procedure, Dr. Bruce Kadz will first review your medical history.
Once your medical history has been discussed thoroughly, he will ask you about your current health. If he determines that you are healthy enough for body contouring procedures, he will evaluate your areas of concern and tailor a treatment plan that will allow you to address all of your cosmetic concerns. However, you should be aware that you must be able to follow all preparation instructions to qualify.
How Will I Need To Prepare for Body Contouring Procedures?
If you opt for general anesthesia to keep you comfortable during your body contouring procedures, you will need to fast for eight hours prior to your scheduled arrival time at our office. Drinking clear liquids will be okay up until two hours before your scheduled arrival time.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
You can expect to lose over 100 pounds in only one year following bariatric surgery. However, you should be aware that you will be left with excess skin. We can help. To find out whether you qualify for post-weight loss surgery, contact us today at the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA to schedule your initial consultation. We would love to help you achieve the body you have sacrificed so much for so you can finally feel confident in your own skin.
