Extreme Makeover after Weight Loss: "Can You Fix My Tummy, Pubis, Buttocks, Arms, Breasts, and Thighs All on the Same Day?"

NO!

Safety must always come first.  Combining major plastic surgery procedures can be dangerous, even if each individual operation is safe when performed by itself.

The extreme makeovers  seen on television are deceptive.  When you watch the shows, you don't always realize that the patients are returned to the operating room on multiple occasions to achieve the desired results.  All those implants, liposuction, tummy tucks, etc., are usually not performed at the same time!

Weight-loss patients are unique because they are frequently concerned about multiple areas on their bodies, and many would like to have a whole body make-over.

Nevertheless, most people who have lost a significant amount of weight are most concerned about their tummies and their torso.  As such, most post-bariatric patients frequently request circumferential lower body lifts to...

• remove excess tummy skin
• tighten the "six-pack" muscles
• lift, thin, and flatten the pubis
• rejuvenate the belly button
• tighten the flanks
• elevate the hips and outer thighs
• soften lower back rolls
• lift the buttocks

A circumferential lower body lift itself usually takes 7-9 hours.  Therefore, I perform this only in the main operating room of a major regional hospital (St. John's Regional Medical Center), and I require that patients stay at least one night (for close nursing care).

Obviously, combining additional procedures would be ludicrous.  7-9 hours is enough for one day—both for me and for the patient!  Other post-bariatric procedures are also rather long...

• arm surgeries (also known as brachioplasties) — 4-5 hours
• breast implants — 1-2 hours
• breast lifts — 2-4 hours
• breast implants + lifts — 5-6 hours
• thigh surgeries (also known as thighplasties) — 5-6 hours

Any of these five options could be performed at an outpatient surgery center, and you could go home (without staying overnight in a recovery facility).  However, if you intend to combine options (such as brachioplasties and breast lifts) on the same day, I would probably recommend performing the surgery at a fully accredited hospital (such as St. John's Regional Medical Center), and I would prefer if you remained in the hospital for one night.

I have never had a life-threatening complication in any cosmetic patient.  I am convinced this is because I only perform surgery in high-quality, fully accredited facilites, and because I am conservative—even when performing the dramatic operations that most other plastic surgeons don't do.

Comments

[Texas breast reduction]

It most certainly is a lifestyle change. No, that's not what people want to hear, but it's the truth. I've lost 100lbs and have kept it off, my secret? Counting calories, and eating healthy food. I do eat some of the junk I used to eat occasionally, but now I watch myself and have control. People are afraid that they have to give up cookies and whatnot for the rest of their lives, and it's not true!