Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery after obesity surgery
The main objective of obesity surgery is its beneficial effect on health by resolving or improving comorbidity (obesity disorders). This is also accompanied by significant weight loss. After such surgery, the patient generally feels much healthier and has a greater joy in life. People feel better about themselves. However, the skin can oftentimes be disappointing. Four out of five patients have a skin excess after obesity surgery. In some cases, it can be so pronounced that it can cause problems in social or intimate relationships. But it can also cause health problems like broken skin in the folds under the hanging belly. In some cases, the skin may even begin to hang under the upper arms or create friction in the thighs.
It is an illusion to think that certain ointments or power training can solve this problem. With a pronounced skin surplus, only plastic surgery can offer a solution. To solve this, we offer a lifting of the arms, belly and thighs. We work with a plastic surgeon for breast problems or other plastic or cosmetic corrections.
Photos with examples cannot be freely uploaded because of the Order of Physicians.
This will of course be discussed in detail during a consultation.
Abdominoplasty –Abdominal lift
Due to the significant weight loss, many people develop a “fat apron” or a “hanging belly”. Four out of five patients suffer from it. It can be very pronounced in some patients. Under the folds, the skin sometimes becomes defective, leading to cracks and fungal infections.
In this procedure, the skin with subcutaneous fat is removed from just above the pubis till above the bellybutton. The umbilicus itself is left in place and then reimplanted in the right place. This requires a scar from one hip ridge to the other. This scar is usually placed completely in the panties so that a bikini can also be worn afterwards. “
Before the procedure, it is clearly explained what can be expected to avoid unrealistic expectations.
After the procedure, a large adhesive bandage is applied for two weeks. After removing the bandages, another abdominal elastic band is recommended for a few weeks. Like any surgery, this procedure can also lead to complications.
Possible complications :
- Bleeding: before closing the wound, everything is checked thoroughly to detect possible bleeding. However, blood can still collect under the skin the next day. Sometimes this has to be removed under mild anesthesia.
- Infection: an infection under the skin can occur but is rather rare. The pus must be removed, and the wound will be rinsed.
- Decrease in sensitivity above the pubis: the skin is released above the navel and raised towards the pubis so that the skin is well stretched. This sometimes results in a reduced sensitivity of a piece of skin between the navel and the pubis. This loss can recover over time, but sometimes a piece of skin can remain insensitive.
- Skin necrosis above the pubis: in very rare cases, the irrigation of a piece of skin above the pubis can be ineffective and a small piece of skin may die. This can happen
Intervention of health insurance / hospitalization insurance?
After a significant weight loss, a partial reimbursement can be obtained from the national health insurance and even from hospitalization insurance, in case of functional problems caused by the skin excess. This topic will be discussed during the consultation.
Brachioplasty – Arm lift
A troublesome skin excess can also occur on the arms. This is not only an aesthetic problem, but can also be annoying when moving the arms (feeling of weight hanging under the arms).
The excess skin is removed with an elliptical incision inside the arm. The scar is located completely between the arm and the body and extends from the elbow to the armpit.
Intervention of health insurance / hospitalization insurance?
A partial refund can be obtained. This is comparable to the abdominal lift (mentioned above).
Thigh lift
In case of “heavy” thighs after significant thinning, an annoying excess of skin can also appear here. The skin can hang especially on the inside of the legs. In addition to the aesthetic problem, the skin can rub between the thighs when walking and even “crack”. Some patients solve this problem by wearing, for example, bike shorts to counter friction. Sometimes this problem can be resolved with an incision just below the groin, but in most cases more extensive resection with a scar down to the knee is required. The scar is located between the thighs and slightly backwards, so it is not visible during standing or walking.
After the procedure, elastic pants till the knees are applied. It is recommended to wear them for several weeks to obtain the best possible healing.
Possible complications:
- Bleeding and major infections are quite exceptional.
- A seroma or a buildup of fluid under the skin sometimes occurs and is difficult to predict. This can be persistent and must be punctured regularly to be emptied.
Intervention of health insurance / hospitalization insurance?
A partial refund can be obtained. This is comparable to the abdominal lift (mentioned above).
Hospitalization
Patients are generally admitted on the morning of the procedure. A 2-day hospital stay is recommended, but this of course depends on the procedure and the patient.
Breast correction
With significant weight loss, the breasts lose volume and may “hang” (ptosis). For breast corrections (breast augmentation or breast lift), we will redirect you to our plastic surgeon.