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Body Lifting – New body for the ex-obese Obesity is behind you, but excess skin still present? Learn how the ex-obese people can remove this excess skin with plastic surgery. With efficient techniques, patients can change their lives in a few hours. By losing a lot of weight after stomach reduction surgery patients enjoy a higher self-esteem. Although, in many cases, this happiness ends suddenly. What used to be fat becomes excess skin, which besides being unattractive is also uncomfortable. “This excess skin impedes movement, personal hygiene, sexual relations and it may cause the appearance of dermatitis due to sweat”, explains plastic surgeon Dr. Garabert Karabachian (SP). In these cases, plastic surgery is highly recommended. Performed both on men and women, surgery takes place most frequently on the tummy, breast, thighs and arms. The quantity of skin taken off from the tummy, for example, can vary from 6 to 11 kilos. In one case I removed almost one yard of skin”, says Dr. Sebastiao Guerra(MG), vice-president of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery. But
Don’t Forget… For the enthusiasts that are thinking about having this procedure performed, here comes a warning: it is only possible to perform surgery on two body areas at any one given time. If the patient decides to have a body lift on the tummy, breasts, thighs and arms, all of the surgeries can’t be done at one time. “The waiting time between one surgery and another depends on the recovery pace of the person. I have had patients whom after 40 days have had another plastic surgery. Of course, this is only possible after the patient has had a very thorough clinical evaluation”, says Dr. Guerra. But there is good news: liposuction can be done together with a body lift. According to Dr. Guerra, the association of these two plastic surgeries can produce very satisfying results. “Even with weight reduction, some localized fat remains”, says the specialist. In the case of teenagers, the removal of excess skin is only recommended after puberty. Dr. Kaluf does not advise children and patients with heart problems or adverse reactions to anesthetics to perform this plastic surgery.
Tummy Who qualifies: An obese person tends to retain a lot of fat on the tummy, and that itself causes the skin to expand. When a person loses weight, this fat is eliminated. But the skin does not return to its natural state. Therefore, the ex-obese have a lot of loose skin in this area. Technique: There are three kinds of techniques. The first one is performed around the entire tummy. The second one is a frontal cut beginning under the breast and finishing at the pubis. The third and most commonly performed technique combines the transversal and horizontal techniques. It makes a longitudinal cut and the other cut is done above the pubis in the form of a half moon. Pre-operation: Routine and cardiovascular exams, clinic evaluation. Surgery time: 3 to 4 hours. Anesthesia: Epidural. Time required in Hospital: From one to two days. Post-operation: The patient should not perform any physical exercises and should use a compression garment for 45 days. It is advisable to have lymphatic drainage during the recovery period. Return to normal activities: Activities that involve physical exertion may be performed after 60 to 90 days. Some surgeons such as Dr. Guerra recommend total rest for one week. Scar Position: The scar is going to be proportional to the quantity of skin that is removed. The good news is that when you go to the beach the scar will be underneath your bikini. Result: The results can be seen on the first day. To check the final result after the swelling has completely disappeared, the patient should wait around 6 months.
Who qualifies: Anyone with excess loose skin on the inferior part of the arm. Technique: It is performed with an incision on the inside of the arm, where the excess skin is removed. Pre-operation: Blood work and ECG. Surgery Time: Between one and a half and two hours. Anesthesia: General or local with sedative. Time required in Hospital: From 12 to 24 hours. Removal of stitches: After 7 days. Post-operation: The patient should use a compression garment. “The ideal would be 70 days, but if this causes inconveniences, the minimum is 12 days”, advises Dr. Guerra. Return to normal activities: Lymphatic drainage is required. The patient can’t open his arms in a crucifix position for two months. But the patient is able to perform normal tasks such as writing, eating and bathing, but always with caution. Scar Position: The scar is located on the inferior part of the arm. Result: After three months.
Who qualifies: Patients that have breasts containing fat in some part. After weight loss many women and men end up with loose skin which occasionally requires removal. Technique: An incision is made under the breast. Pre-operation: Routine exams such as ECG and blood work. Surgery time: From 2 to 3 hours. Anesthesia: Upper epidural, general or local with sedative. Time required in Hospital: From 12 to 24 hours. Removal of stitches: Normally with dissolvable sutures, between 7 and 10 days. Post-operation: For 45 days the patient should use a surgical bra. The patient should stay from 10 to 15 days without raising his arms and needs to be careful not to wet the bandage. “It is advisable to avoid hot baths, exposure to water temperatures above 95 degrees can worsen the scar”, advises Dr. Guerra. Return to normal activities: After 60 days the patient can return to low intensity activities. Scar Position: The scar is in the form of an inverted T following the natural contour of the breasts. Result: Between the third and sixth month.
Who qualifies: Patients who have excess skin between the legs. Technique: The scalpel is inserted into the thigh and the gluteus muscle region until the start of pubic hair, following the panty line. Pre-operation: Laboratory exams, complete hemogram and ECG. Time for surgery: From 1 to 2 hours. Anesthesia: Epidural. Time required in Hospital: From 12 to 24 hours. Removal of stitches: Between 7 and 10 days. Post-operation: It is recommended that the patient uses a tight fitting garment for approximately a month and a half, and it is important to be careful when sitting down. Lymphatic drainage is required. Return to normal activities: Short walks are permitted after surgery. After 60 days, total movement of the legs is possible. Scar Position: It is located from the groin, following the contours of the buttocks. “The scars are located in the crease of the body in order to produce the most favorable aesthetic aspect”, explains Dr. Kaluf. Result: Between the third and sixth month.
The article appeared in the magazine PLASTICA & BELEZA
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