Cons Of Excess Skin Surgery
1. Its Expensive
Excess skin surgery can be pricey when done as a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, we are seeing more and more insurance companies covering the removal of the excess abdominal skin when medically necessary . Unfortunately, we never see the operation on the arms, legs, or other areas of the body covered and will need to be done as a cosmetic procedure.
2. Surgical Risks
Like all surgical procedures, excess skin surgery does come with risks, the most notable one being the risk of wound-related complications such as infections, seromas, or hematomas. Because the surgeon makes a large incision to remove the excess skin, the blood supply is compromised and may result in poor healing and potential wound breakdown. Fortunately, all of this is treatable.
3. Recovery is Painful
As mentioned above, the surgeon must make a large incision to remove the excess skin. This means a more prolonged and possibly more painful recovery.
Whats The Recovery Like
Before you go home from your operation, your surgeon will place dressings against the incisions to help ease swelling. They may also insert a tube to help drain excess blood and fluids from the area. Youll need to make a follow-up appointment to have your surgeon remove these items.
Like other cosmetic surgeries, thigh lifts are considered major procedures and youll need to take time off work to recover.
Youll likely experience pain, bruising, and swelling for a few days after the procedure. You should notice more contour to your thighs right away, but you wont see full results for several months.
Any worsening pain or the onset of bleeding through sutures or dressings should be addressed with your doctor right away. You should also see your doctor if you experience:
- wound separation
Ptosis And Eyelid Surgery
Ptosis is the medical term for drooping of the upper eyelid a condition that may affect one or both eyes. Ptosis that is present since birth is called congenital ptosis. Droopy eyelids in general occur when the edge of the upper eyelid falls from its normal position.
When the edge of the eyelid falls too low and covers part of the pupil, it can block the upper part of your vision. In most cases, a drooping upper eyelid results from aging of previously normal structures.
Typically, the tendon of the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid stretches and the eyelid falls. Surgical correction of a drooping upper eyelid involves repairing the stretched tendon.
It is not uncommon for a person to develop a droopy upper eyelid following cataract surgery or other eye surgeries because manipulation of the eyelid during a procedure can cause weakening of the muscle that holds the eye open. Stroke and trauma also can cause ptosis.
Ptosis surgery most often is performed by ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons.
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Can Loose Skin Be Tightened
What is skin reduction surgery? Excess skin removal or skin reduction surgery for men & women who have lost a significant amount of weight is often referred to as Body Contouring or Body Lift Surgery. There are a variety of procedures available to remove excess skin after weight loss or pregnancy, which often involve skin reduction, liposuction and skin tightening.
Body Contouring Surgery is appropriate for those who have lost significant amounts of weight resulting in large folds of saggy skin across the body, or those who have large folds of loose skin due to multiple pregnancies. Whether you want to reshape your mid-body contour or remove unsightly hanging skin, Body Lift Surgery can help to achieve a more toned & streamlined body contour.
Free Skin Removal After Gastric Bypass
Many people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery find they still have a great deal of excess skin, even after losing a lot of weight. This can be due to many factors, including the fact that not all weight loss is proportional to the amount of fat lost. In some cases, patients may find their skin has lost its elasticity and they desire to have it removed.
Most bariatric surgery patients report wanting plastic surgery after their procedure in order to remove any excess skin. However, this is not always necessary and should only be done if there are no other health concerns preventing it, except the pain for extra skin elimination. The article discusses both indications and contraindications for gastric bypass surgery in order to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right choice for you.
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Cost And Health Insurance
Your panniculectomy may be covered by insurance if your condition causes medical issues such as rashes or ulcers that haven’t responded to treatment. It also may be covered by your insurance plan if the excess skin interferes with daily activities and can be corrected with surgery. If your panniculectomy isn’t medically necessary, you’ll likely pay for it out of pocket.
If applicable, check with your insurance provider ahead of time to find out what will and will not be covered.
Causes Of Excess Skin
The primary reason for excess skin is massive weight loss. When you lose weight quickly, such as after bariatric surgery, the skin often doesnt have time to conform around the new body contour. The result is a slimmer body profile, but also one that is overshadowed by extra skin that had adapted to a previously much larger shape. The loose skin folds can create significant discouragement as you are left no more satisfied with your appearance despite reaching your target number on the scale.
While significant weight loss is the most common cause of excess skin, its not the only one. Other culprits might be weight changes due to pregnancy, poor healing after a previous surgical procedure or laxity due to the aging process. No matter what the reason might be for your loose, hanging folds of skin, Dr. Barrett has surgical solutions to eliminate the excess skin and create a smoother, more attractive body contour.
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How Long Before You See Results
In general, youll need several weeks to recover from thigh lift surgery, so you should plan your work schedule accordingly. Youll also need to refrain from any heavy lifting and strenuous exercises for at least 6 weeks after your procedure.
Youll want to elevate your legs as much as possible during this time, and you may be able to go outside after a few days. Its normal for the ankles to swell as you gradually move around more.
Once healed, there may be scars from where your surgeon made incisions to remove excess skin around your thighs. However, when done by an experienced surgeon, the scars shouldnt be very noticeable to others, especially if theyre placed in inconspicuous areas.
Costs Of A Tummy Tuck
While a tummy tuck is the cheaper option of the two procedures, its usually not covered by medical insurance. This means you could end up spending around $6,200 out of pocket, plus any additional medical service fees.
Like a panniculectomy, youll need to spend time off work or school after a tummy tuck surgery. Since this surgery isnt as extensive, youll spend less time in recovery.
The average recovery time is about four to six weeks. More or less recovery time may be needed depending on the incision number and size.
Like any type of surgery, both panniculectomy and tummy tuck can cause immediate discomfort, along with a risk of side effects. Some of these effects are common, while others are rarer and require further medical attention.
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Excess Skin Removal Surgery Cost
The cost for excess skin removal will vary widely, depending on which areas you are treating. When you meet with Dr. Lapuerta, he will discuss your goals with you and determine a treatment plan. At that time, he can provide details about cost based on which surgical procedures you need. However, you can expect from around $4,000 for a single procedure to more than $20,000 for multiple procedures.
Bundle Surgeries And Pay In Cash
Even if your insurance company will pay for your surgery, its sometimes more cost-efficient to pay out of pocket if you have a high deductible plan. Paying in cash is also another way to save, as many hospitals and plastic surgery clinics offer small 5-10% cash discounts for paying in cash upfront. Many clinics also offer discounts if you get more than one procedure done at the same time.
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Medical Issues Related To Body Contouring Surgery
Before the operation, you need to discuss a range of medical issues with your medical practitioner. They will talk to you about your:
- physical health an examination will help your medical practitioner to decide if the treatment is appropriate
- medical history some pre-existing medical conditions and any surgery youve had in the past may influence decisions about this operation, including the type of anaesthetic that is used
- risks and possible complications it is important that you understand the risks and complications so that you can weigh up whether body contouring is right for you
- medication tell your medical practitioner about any medications that you take regularly or have recently taken, including over-the-counter preparations like fish oils and vitamin supplements
- past reactions to drugs tell your medical practitioner if you have ever had a bad reaction or a side effect from any drugs, including anaesthesia
- preparation for surgery your medical practitioner will give you detailed instructions on what you should do at home to prepare for surgery. For example, you may be advised to take a particular drug or alter the dose of an existing medication. Follow all instructions carefully.
When To See A Doctor
There are certain instances where it would be a good idea to go and see your doctor about your loose skin after weight loss.
For example, if you experience loose stomach skin or loose skin after pregnancy that rubs or chafes , then this can cause skin infections, rashes, pain, ulcers and irritations that can be very sore and uncomfortable.
In addition, if you find that your excess skin causes annoying movement and pain, then you might like to explore your options for compression garments that can be worn underneath your clothing and help to smooth your shape.
There are also a number of psychological and lifestyle issues that you may experience from having loose stomach skin, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, difficulty in doing certain tasks or playing certain sports and not being able to wear certain clothes.
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Facelift Neck Lift And Brow Lift
Facial rejuvenation surgery is one of the most effective treatments to get rid of sagging skin on the face and neck and includes a facelift, neck lift or brow lift.
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A facelift procedure involves the surgeons making incisions positioned at the front part of the ear, which angles upwards along the hairline and also consists of an incision behind the ear which extends into the scalp region. The surgeon then gently dissects the skin away from the underlying soft tissues before repositioning the skin in the most appropriate direction to achieve tightening of the middle and lower face before surgically removing the loose skin. Facelift surgery is commonly combined with a neck lift procedure for skin tightening of the lower face, neck, and jawline to remove jowls effectively.
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Before Choosing Body Contouring Surgery
Before you opt for body contouring surgery, some important issues to keep in mind include:
- Body contouring surgery is not suitable surgery to remove excess fat alone. Liposuction can remove excess fat deposits if your skin has good elasticity and is able to follow your new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and body contouring techniques may be recommended.
- Your weight loss must be stabilised. Weight loss after surgery will create loose pockets of skin. Weight gain will stress your tightened skin and cause stretch marks and widened scars.
- If you have had weight reduction surgery, your medical practitioner will work closely with your doctor to determine when it is appropriate for you to begin body contouring.
- There will be many incisions made. You must be prepared for extensive scarring.
- Think about the financial cost. Cosmetic surgery does not usually qualify for rebates from Medicare or private health insurance. However, reconstructive surgery does qualify.
- Smokers are at increased risk of complications. If you are serious about undergoing surgery, you should try to quit smoking.
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About Author: Ken Harris
Ken Harris is the proudest father and a writing coordinator for the Marketing & Communications division of OSF HealthCare.He has a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as a daily newspaper reporter for four years before leaving the field and eventually finding his way to OSF HealthCare.In his free time, Ken likes reading, fly fishing, hanging out with his dog and generally pestering his lovely, patient wife.
Finding A Body Contouring Medical Practitioner
You may want to ask your doctor for advice about finding a suitable medical practitioner or hospital where body contouring surgery is performed. At your first consultation, you should ask the medical practitioner about their training and experience it is preferable to have this procedure done by a medical practitioner who is specially trained to perform body contouring surgery and has a lot of experience in carrying out this operation.
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Panniculectomy Surgery: Procedure And Recovery
This procedure is done to remove excess skin from the abdomen
A panniculectomy is surgery to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen. It is different from a tummy tuck, which is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles.
A panniculectomy is elective surgery performed to relieve symptoms from an overhanging apron of skin. The excess skin can irritate and interfere with everyday activities. It’s usually the result of significant weight loss.
This article discusses what a panniculectomy is and when it’s recommended. It also covers what to expect during surgery and recovery.
How To Get Rid Of Excess Skin
If you suffer from saggy skin, you may have both physical and emotional concerns:
- Physical discomfort as a result of your excess skin interfering with normal activity
- Reduced mobility and the ability to exercise
- Skin irritation, such as infections, rashes and ulcers
- Low self-esteem and poor body image
Thankfully, if you are suffering from excess skin after weight loss, there are several options available to you in order to improve your symptoms:
The aim of body-contouring surgery is to remove a large amount of excess skin and fat. During the procedure, a large incision will be made, and you will experience minimal scarring.
When it comes to considering loose skin surgery, there are several different options available to you. The main types of body contouring surgery are:
- Tummy tuck : Where saggy skin is removed from the abdomen.
- Lower-body lift: Where loose skin is removed from the stomach, buttocks, hips and thighs.
- Breast lift: Where excess skin is removed from the breasts and back.
- Thigh lift: Where saggy skin is removed from the inner and outer thighs.
- Arm lift : Where loose skin is removed from the upper arms.
Following body contouring surgery, you will usually need to stay in hospital for one to four days, before recovering at home for two to four weeks. Although having loose skin surgery can help to improve your quality of life, it is also important to be aware of complications that could occur as a result of the surgery, like bleeding and infections.
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Can I Have Multiple Skin Excisions From Different Parts Of My Body In The Same Procedure
The decision as to which areas of the body need treatment are decided at your initial consultation with Dr Doyle. Several areas of the body can be treated in one procedure and Dr Doyle will make a decision if one, two or three separate operations are required depending on the time taken to perform the procedure. Extremely large amounts of weight loss with poor skin elasticity will result in more skin to be removed, and hence longer operation times.
Life After Skin Removal & Body Contouring Surgery
Your recovery will depend on the procedures you have as well as the extent of skin removal. If you are only having an upper arm lift or breast lift, for example, you may be able to return to work within one week and be ready to resume exercise within one month.
More extensive procedures, such as lower body lift, will require a longer recovery and may require a short inpatient stay. Temporary drains may be placed for the first 1 to 2 weeks to ease swelling, and discomfort can be significant for the first few days. Lifting, strenuous exercise, and physical jobs are typically off-limits for 6+ weeks after extensive lower body lift procedures.
The rewards for a more involved recovery are a more youthful, natural appearance and a significant improvement in comfort and self-confidence that can last a lifetime.
- Removes excess, sagging skin left after dramatic weight loss
- Improves comfort & self-confidence by helping clothing fit better
- Procedures are personalized to address a patient’s specific areas of concern
- Recovery can require up to 6 weeks of downtime, but results can last a lifetime
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