Weight Loss Surgery Fairfax – Dr Krieger

Expert Plastic Surgery Channel plastic surgeon Dr. Mitch Krieger from Fairfax, Virginia \discusses post bariatric surgery, suggested timelines for surgical procedures and its implications.

Post weight loss body contouring is fast becoming a necessity among those who have undergone plastic surgery to help lose weight. Bariatric surgery leads to significant weight loss in a short amount of time which often has its share of problems like excess and drooping skin. Body contouring procedures are strategies to erase the signs of the excessive weight loss through techniques such as body sculpting, tummy tuck, liposuction, body lift, etc.

Most people who undergo bariatric surgery, while experiencing the high that comes with weight loss are often discouraged by the excess skin that remains, which in some ways dampens the self confidence, gained from the weight loss. Moreover, for bariatric patients, excess skin is often times a barrier to achieving their body image goals. Excess skin is also a medical concern as it causes skin infection, itchiness and other complications.

Virginia Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Mitchel Krieger specializes in body contouring and has considerable experience in post weight loss surgery which has also led him to co author a new book, Bariatric Plastic Surgery: A Guide to Cosmetic Surgery After Weight Loss, available from most major book retailers.

With post weight loss surgeries becoming commonplace today, a question that often plagues people is regarding the optimal timing for such surgeries. Most bariatric patients undergo life altering surgeries and are anxious to start a new life and lead a healthy lifestyle. Post weight loss surgeries however, must be approached with caution and as Dr. Krieger advises, cannot be rushed into.

Dr. Krieger emphasizes that how soon a patient can undergo post weight loss surgery would depend on the type of weight loss surgery that the patient underwent in the first place. It is not a pre determined, one size fits all timeline but something dependent on the initial procedure and the weight loss following the same.

The general rule of thumb that Dr. Krieger likes to follow is that no post weight loss surgery should be contemplated till the patient’s weight has stabilized post surgery. Patients who have undergone Gastric Bypass would tend to lose weight faster than those who underwent the Lap band procedure. The procedure one has significantly determines the recovery and stabilization period and thereby the timing for post weight loss surgery.

A patient who had Gastric Bypass may take 6 – 9 months post the surgery to lose the weight and to reach a stable weight and will therefore be ready for a post weight loss surgery 3 – 6 months later. Therefore the total time would be close to a year or a year and a half. In comparison, patients having the Lap band procedure may take significantly longer to lose the weight – up to 2 -3 years. These patients may not be ready for post weight loss surgery till about 3-4 years from the initial bariatric procedure.

In general Dr. Krieger recommends that patients be at a stable weight for at least 3 – 6 months before contemplating and starting post weight loss surgeries. At such a point in time, patients may consult with their plastic surgeons to come up with a sequence of procedures and a strategy to effectively contour their bodies so as to allow them to fully enjoy the benefits of their significant weight loss.