The health benefits of massive weight loss in previously obese patients cannot be questioned. For some patients, however, these benefits are overshadowed by the appearance of certain areas of their body. Many describe a mismatch between how they feel and how they look.

The two common issues are excess skin and loss of volume. Fold of excess skin occur where it has not shrunk back as the amount of fat decreased. These folds can occur on the face/neck, arms, back, abdomen, waist or legs. Loss of volume (fat) may have undesired consequences, particularly in the face and breast area. Commonly requested operations are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), augmentation mastopexy (breast lift with implants to restore lost volume), thigh lift or arm lifts, a face/ neck lift, and facial lipofilling (fat injections to restore volume).

It is not uncommon for patients who have undergone such dramatic weight loss to require several procedures. Careful planning is essential, and it can be useful to make out a list of your priorities prior to your consultation. Combination procedures can be performed, and are planned on an individual basis. I consider that a minimum of two consultations prior to surgery is necessary in order to formulate a treatment plan.

These procedures are not routinely covered by health insurance, and are provided on a self-pay basis at Fitzgerald Plastic Surgery.

The exception to this is where patients have abundant extra skin of the abdominal area as a result of massive weight loss, which arose as a result of a bariatric surgery procedure, which was itself funded by the health insurer, and have certain medical issues related to same. In this circumstance, some or all of the cost of surgery may be covered, depending on the operation required. We can advise following consultation if an individual meets the criteria laid down by the insurance companies in this regard.