Massive Weight Loss Patient

Health, appearance and self-esteem are three major factors that directly impact how we view ourselves, and how others view us. When you look and feel your best, you are happier and exude more confidence.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014, more than 1 in 13 adults are plagued with extreme obesity. Once the pounds are shed, you are left with a dilemma and challenge of what to do with the excess fat and skin. This occurs because skin and tissues often lack elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body size. As a result, the sagging is most visible in the upper arms, breasts, abdominal area, lower back, buttocks, and groin areas.

Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss

“I thought the hardest part was over when I lost all the weight. But now I have excess skin which I can’t get rid of, and it makes me uncomfortable — and I still have fat I’m struggling to lose. What do I do now? Is it finally time for surgery? If it is, who do I go see?”

Losing an excessive amount of weight can be one of the most time consuming — yet rewarding — life experiences an individual can undergo. You may truly feel like “a weight has been lifted,” in more ways than one. If you stayed true to your weight loss program and lost the weight required to regain your health, you are now facing a very different kind of problem, one you probably cannot solve on your own. It is now time to see Dr. Kenneth Odinet, an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon, who has ample experience with significant weight loss patients.

As you now know, once the pounds are shed, you are left with excess skin that lacks the elasticity to “shrink down” to cover your hard-won new smaller size. Instead, it hangs down around your upper arms, breasts, abdominal area, lower back, buttocks, and groin areas and continues to add weight to your appearance. Moreover, you may also have additional fat you would still like to lose. Fat that your weight loss program most likely has not effectively eradicated. In these cases, the only answer is surgery.

Body contouring after major weight loss improves the shape and tone of underlying tissue as well as removes excess sagging fat, and skin. The final result is a smoother contour with greater tone completing the desired look you hoped to gain through your weight loss regime. You will have the best possible result, however, only when you have body contouring performed by a plastic surgeon who fully understands the surgeries involved. Dr. Odinet can provide you with realistic expectations and can tailor the procedures to your specific needs to get you the best possible outcome. It is offering this kind of extremely personalized and well-planned care that has been a focus of Dr. Odinet’s practice for nearly 25 years.

Is Body Contouring Surgery Right for Me?

“I’m not sure if my body is ready for body contouring surgery. I have lost a lot of weight, but I’m not sure if I need to lose more, or that I’m healthy enough. I feel like I have my weight under control, and I’m also really anxious for the next step. One thing is for sure — I want to show the world the brand new me!”

Once you see the “new you” in a mirror, your first impulse may be to seek out a surgeon to perform your body contouring surgery. Your excitement is completely understandable. Almost anyone who has experienced dramatic weight loss will eventually be a good candidate for body contouring. During your consultation with Dr. Odinet, he will examine you and review your medical history to determine if you are ready for surgery. Having a body contouring surgery can dramatically redefine your appearance, but having it too soon can have a negative impact which can take you further away from your body goals rather than bring you closer to them. For example,

  • If you continue to lose weight, sagging pockets will redevelop.
  • If you rapidly regain the weight, you will traumatically stress your already weakened and thinned skin, causing additional visible stretch marks and wide scars.

This is why it is crucial to ensure you have not only reached a stable and healthy weight, but you also have demonstrated you can maintain it. To obtain the best possible results, Dr. Odinet will work with you to determine:

  • That your weight loss has stabilized.
  • If you lost through weight loss surgery, that your physician is consulted to determine when it will be appropriate to begin body contouring.
  • If you lost the weight on your own, that you have multiple appointments with Dr. Odinet — prior to any decisions being made — to determine if you are ready to undergo surgery.

How can I be sure I am a good candidate for surgery and that I will have a safe procedure?

“I think I qualify for body contouring surgery, but I still have concerns about the surgery itself. How will I know if I can have the surgery, and are there things I can do beforehand to help make my procedure go more smoothly and safely?”

If you are considering body contouring surgery, we must first decide if you are a good candidate at this time. While you may think you are a good candidate, it is crucial that Dr. Odinet determine whether this is a safe surgery for you. Dr. Odinet will consider:

  • Your age.
  • Whether your weight loss has stabilized.
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions that could affect the outcome and healing process.
  • Whether you smoke.
  • Whether you have a realistic expectations about what body contouring can accomplish.
  • Whether you are committed to eating right, staying fit, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

In this situation, the old adage, “honesty is the best policy,” is the best advice. The success and safety of your body contouring procedure depend on your candidness with Dr. Odinet about your medical history, diet, and exercise routines.

During your consultation, Dr. Odinet will inquire about: any medical conditions, drug allergies, past medical treatments, and previous surgeries. To have the most productive consultation, you should provide Dr. Odinet information about your current medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is important that you are candid about your use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, as they can have a significant impact on your recovery time and results.

Dr. Odinet will discuss risk, potential complications, as well as expectations of recovery. After reviewing your medical history, a through exam will be done. This will include height, weight, and multiple tissue measurements including a pinch test to assess skin quality. The information is then evaluated by in conjunction with input from the patient. Dr. Odinet will then formulate a long term treatment plan to address your concerns.

Will a body contouring consult include concerns about sagging facial skin?

After significant weight loss, patients often complain of excess skin in the jowls and neck (turkey neck appearance). This is due to volume loss in the face as well as loss of skin elasticity.

Dr. Odinet has many years of training, certification and experience which gives him a unique understanding of the various techniques needed to address these complicated problems. It is imperative that the excess skin is removed without causing distortion of the normal anatomy. It is imperative you understand the purpose of the procedure to help increase your self-confidence as you along the path to the normal aging process gracefully.

What about my upper arms?

Patients who have had significant weight loss may present with a variety of deformities in the upper arm and lateral chest wall. Surgical management will vary due to the extent of the deformity and the patient’s expectations. Treatment may be as simple as localized liposuction or as extensive as a 2 stage procedure with aggressive liposuction followed 3 months later by wide skin excision. Dr. Odinet has discovered and mastered new techniques that allow him to reposition the surgical scars to schieve the optimal surgical outcome.

Typically, Dr. Odinet performs upper arm are procedure as an outpatient surgery in his fully accreditied AAAASF surgery suite. These patients are seen the next day where the surgical site is assesed and the patients dressings are changed. Our patients are usually able to shower the day dafter surgery and are able to drive in a week. Lighter exercise can begin the following week.

Complete Your Weight Loss Journey Today!

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Odinet today by calling his offices at (337) 234-8648. He and his practice specialist look forward to hearing your story and working with you to determine your best course of treatment to reach your body goals. Every patient is unique, and creating a plan that suits each individual is what makes this vocation both challenging and satisfying. For every patient, there is a solution that can bring greater confidence, self-fulfillment, and happiness. Dr. Odinet makes it his personal mission to bring your vision to reality. His team also shares this goal. You can expect a warm, sincere welcome each time you visit. Until then, Dr. Odinet and his staff wish you the best of health!