Loose Skin After Weight Loss Surgery – Removal Guarantees Scarring?

After a patient has gone through weight lost surgery, there is typically excess loose skin  that remains. This is a big issue for many patients because loose skin is esthetically unpleasant and reminds them of  the bodies they had before they lost the weight. Thankfully, many plastic surgeons have been trained to perform plastic surgeries on patients to remove loose skin after weight loss surgery.

How Long Should I Wait After Weight Loss Surgery?

The first question many patients have is when can they seek a plastic surgeon to discuss their options for loose skin after weight loss surgery? The best answer is that there is not real set time frame as to when these surgeries can take place. A typical ruling in the field is that doctors want the patient to be metabolically stable for at least three months prior to seeking a consultant to start reviewing their options. A given estimate for actual time frame between weight loss surgery and plastic surgery is about twelve months to two years.

There is a variance between the sexes when it comes to what areas they desire to have the loose skin after weight loss surgery removed. Women are generally concerned about their arms, breast, buttocks, and abdomen areas. Men are typically concerned with loose skin after weight loss surgeries around the chest area. Each patient is different and it is the role of the doctor to take the time to listen to the individual goals of each patient.

Scarring: An Inevitable Side Effect Of Skin Removal?

Scarring is a part of plastic surgery when it comes to the removal of excess skin. It is just a part of the process. In getting rid of the visual signs of excess skin you will be stuck with the presence of scarring. The doctors make it clear to patients that this is an unavoidable side effect of this procedure.

However, in cases where it is possible, surgeons do try to position the scarring in places that are not as obvious such as bra lines or bikini line areas. These are options you will want to ask your doctor about during the consultation process.

It is often hard enough to find insurance companies that will pay for weight loss surgery. The problem is that you have to prove the process is medically necessary. Patients also face similar problems when trying to cover the cost of loose skin removal after weight loss surgery. Most providers will not cover the process unless there is a documented underlying condition that makes the procedure medically necessary. There are however many lenders out there that partner with doctors and plastic surgeons where patients can apply for loans to cover the cost of these operations. In turn, the patient can make payments to the special lenders for the surgery much like they would for paying off a loan on an automobile.