After the previously morbid obese person has prioritized the areas of concern, the next step towards correcting the skin fold problem is the timing sequence of the plastic surgery operations.
Body recontouring plastic surgery procedures should be considered only after the previously obese person's weight has stabilized after a weight loss surgery procedure or successful dieting. The time required to achieve a satisfactory stable weight after a massive weight loss may range from 7 to 18 months, depending on a person's preoperative weight, their type of weight loss surgery, their post operative diet, and their metabolism. Most patients will have an initial rapid weight loss, followed by peaks and valleys, and a gradual progressive weight loss. Weight loss stabilization will typically be seen at one year.
Previously morbid obese people undergoing their weight may take the initiative to learn about the plastic surgery options while they are undergoing their weight loss. By starting during the weight loss period, the previously morbid obese person may be able to develop their priority list of areas of concern, learn about the plastic surgery procedures that interest them, meet with a few plastic surgeons to find the plastic surgeon they like or have the most confidence in, and may even start to schedule their plastic surgery procedures.
By continuing to look forward, the weight loss period tends to go by quicker. The previously person may be eager to procedure with plastic surgery as soon as their weight stabilizes, they get medical clearance, and the plastic surgeon believes that they are ready to proceed.
Most often, the choice of the plastic surgery candidate and the plastic surgeon will come to a consensus as to which plastic surgery procedure to start with and the timing between plastic surgery procedures. Usually 2-4 months will lapse between plastic surgery procedures; this allows enough time for wound healing, resumption of normal activities and will allow the working post operative plastic surgery patient to schedule more time off of work.
Some may choose a more aggressive approach and undergo more procedures at the same time. There are some aggressive plastic surgeons that may be willing to perform multiple procedures at the same time.
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is important, because of the risks involved in these plastic surgery procedures, as well as the complications that are possible. Being able to work with the plastic surgeon's staff with wound care is also very important.
It is also important for the plastic surgery candidate to realize that performing a plastic surgery skin tightening procedure may require a secondary procedure if further weight loss is achieved or the post operative plastic surgery patients' tissues don't hold up after the plastic surgery. Having this knowledge beforehand, allows for a better level of expectations about the benefits of plastic surgery after massive weight loss and will lead to much happier, thinner people in the long run. Body recontouring plastic surgery procedures following massive weight loss from weight loss surgeries or successful dieting are usually extremely gratifying for both the patient and plastic surgeon. The plastic surgery results are usually very dramatic and provide a significant functional and aesthetic benefit to the previously morbid obese individual.
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