How to Prepare for Post-Massive Weight Loss Surgery

First things first: congratulations! Whether you’ve lost 40 lbs. or 200 lbs., weight loss is a challenging obstacle you’ve overcome. While losing weight can be achieved through various diets and exercise, there is no perfect method to avoid the sagging or culmination of excess skin that can be present after weight loss.

Most patients choose a tummy tuck as their post-massive weight loss surgery, but excess skin can also affect many areas of the body, such as the waist, arms, chest, and face. Regardless of the area targeted, Dr. Bonaldi takes the care to ensure each and every patient can see results to complement their weight loss. After all, you lost the weight, and you deserve to feel your best!

So, if you are considering post-massive weight loss body contouring surgery, here are our best tips to prepare:

1. Visit with Dr. Bonaldi. As each patient is different, the best recommendation we can give is to meet with the surgeon to go over every aspect of the procedure to clear up any concerns or questions.
2. Understand that the more surgery you undergo, the more recovery time is needed. Some patients choose a tummy tuck, and some patients opt for many procedures on top of that to clear their body of excess skin. While all procedures are safe and leave the patient with pleasing results, the recovery time can vary.
3. Know that your body will change. Losing weight is a huge achievement, and so is opting to clear the body of excess skin. As the body changes, surgery can have an emotional tax on the patient. We recommend in your first consultation asking Dr. Bonaldi about what to expect in recovery, as many patients face different personal obstacles in the days that follow surgery. Knowing as much as possible about the procedure can help the patient gauge what to expect as their healing body changes.
4. Understand that there will be scarring. Just like with any surgery, incisions will be made into the skin that need proper care and time to heal but will fade with time. While most post-weight loss body contouring surgery scars can be hid underneath clothing, some have scars that are more visible. Most patients say the scar is minor in comparison to the dramatic results they achieve.
5. Expect a cost different from someone else. Just as each patient is different, each associated cost is different as well. Surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees all affect pricing when it comes to preparing for your procedure. During the initial consultation, patients are informed of the cost of their individualized surgery.
6. The changes continue as healing does. Patients notice an immediate change in their body following the procedure, with even larger changes surfacing as the swelling subsides.