Common Questions About Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
By: J. Timothy Katzen, MDCategory: Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
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How important is it for your plastic surgeon to provide pictures of their procedures?
Asking your plastic surgeon for “Before and After” pictures is essential. Your potential plastic surgeon should be readily available to show you exactly the procedure you are seeking. Be sure these pictures are similar to your body. Ask your plastic surgeon if the pictures are of weight loss patients and, if so, how much weight did these patients lose. Since every patient loses weight differently, examine “Before” pictures and look for patients who are similar to you in terms of body shape, weight lost, and amount of excess skin. Do you like the “After” pictures? If not, or if your potential plastic surgeon cannot produce pictures of the exact procedure in weight loss patients, go elsewhere for a plastic surgeon.
How do I minimize plastic surgery scars?
Unsightly scars are caused by four key components: poor surgical technique, excess tension in the wound, improper scar management, and poor patient healing. The first two components for scar optimization are best managed from the onset. This means choosing a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in plastic surgery after weight loss to optimize your eventual scar result. Hopefully, this plastic surgeon will have enough experience to choose the right suture and determine the proper tension under which it should be placed in the wound. I use a multi-layer suture closure and seal the incisions with glue. The multi-layer suture closure minimizes tension and the glue reduces bacterial infection. I never use staples.
For scar management, I employ silicone, compression, and massage. Extensive research has shown that silicone significantly reduces scar height and redness. Two weeks after surgery when the glue wears off, I use silicone cream and silicone strips. The silicone cream is applied twice a day, whereas the silicone strips are changed every two weeks. Patients are also given compression garments to further reduce scar height. In addition, I have patients massage their scars twice a day. My patients massage their scars in a circular fashion for approximately ten minutes twice a day for six weeks. To maximize patient healing abilities, I encourage a high protein diet, and supplementation with iron, calcium, and vitamins. Employing just these modalities, I have successfully avoided the need for steroid scar injections and laser applications.
After plastic surgery, how do I care for myself at home?
Typically, I have my patients prepare their homes before plastic surgery. About a week before plastic surgery, I have my patients fill all their prescriptions, and obtain extra iron pills, multi-vitamins, and calcium supplements. For almost all my plastic surgery procedures, I have my patients avoid stairs for two weeks after surgery. To achieve this, my patients create a “cocoon” in a room close to the bathroom, typically, in a recliner with legs elevated. If a recliner is not available, a bed is good with three pillows behind the head, and one pillow behind the knees. Place your cellular phone and charger close. I would also suggest purchasing a small refrigerator and filling it with healthy foods and protein drinks. I would suggest creating an entertainment area with a television, DVD player, and a computer with internet access. In addition, I recommend purchasing your dressing supplies in advance. These efforts are done to minimize leaving your house during your healing phase.
Once you arrive home from the hospital or surgery center, you should go straight into your “cocoon.” For the first 48 hours after plastic surgery, I ask that a significant other be present; thereafter, the significant other needs to be physically present for eight hours a day, but always available by cellular phone. I have my patients empty their drains every eight hours and record the output. In addition, patients clean the drain sites twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and a Q-tip. Typically, patients are instructed to change their bandages daily. This consists of removing all the bandages and replacing them with absorbent pads. Since I use surgical glue, my patients only need adsorbent pads. To keep the pads in place, I completely avoid tape and use either a compression bandage or garment. Patients are encouraged to walk two or three times a day, just to the bathroom and back to the “cocoon.” The day after surgery, I have my patients sponge bathe. Approximately five days after surgery, I allow my patients to shower. This is my routine and is only a guideline. Always, check with your local plastic surgeon. Their routine may be different.
Dr. Katzen is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and his entire practice focuses on plastic surgery after weight loss. Dr. Katzen and his multidisciplinary team have offices in Beverly Hills and Hawaiian Gardens, CA. He is the Chief of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Century City Doctor’s Hospital and is a regularly featured plastic surgery expert on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and the Discovery Channel. Please call (888) KATZEN-0 or visit his new web site, www.BodyByKatzen.com, to see if he is lecturing in a city close to you.
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