Body contouring after weight loss

Many who have experienced massive weight loss are uncomfortable with their appearance after such a drastic change, and many look into body-contouring surgery to eliminate excess skin and refine their results. However, not everyone who has lost a lot of weight is an appropriate candidate for these procedures.

Several 2008 ASPS studies highlighted which patients face high complication risks during post-weight-loss contouring surgery. One looked at patients who had lost a significant amount of weight but whose body mass index still categorized them as obese. Even at a lower weight, patients who hadn’t reached their goal BMI were found to be at high risk of post-op problems. The study authors state that waiting a little longer and reaching a healthy BMI will make surgery much safer.

Another study looking at gender found that men who had lost a massive amount of weight were three times more likely to experience hematoma and almost twice as likely to experience fluid collection (seroma) after body-contouring surgery.

A third study found that the means of weight loss—whether through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise—did not make a significant difference in the risks one may face in body-contouring surgery. However, a fourth study shed light on the malnutrition either type of patient may be afflicted with, and how this could pose a problem during body-contouring recovery. Those who were prescribed a nutritional supplement program to counteract malnutrition experienced much better wound healing, scar quality and energy.