Body After Weight Loss
Everyone knows how difficult it can be to lose weight, and losing a significant amount of weight is a big accomplishment! Whether your weight has been lost through diet and exercise, or a bariatric procedure such as gastric banding, the impact on your life can be monumental. Significant weight loss not only affects a person’s health, mentality, and well-being, but it also leads to a number of physical changes in the body. Unfortunately, the joy of losing a significant amount of weight can often go hand in hand with the disappointment of being stuck with excess skin. Often when patients lose large amounts of weight, their skin loses elasticity and is unable to properly accommodate a smaller figure. This excess skin can be more than just an aesthetic concern. Excess skin can harbour both bacteria and moisture, causing fungal infections and embarrassing odours. This loose, sagging skin is common around the face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs. For patients looking to make the most of their new bodies, this excess skin can often be eliminated by surgical means.
Educate Yourself on Your Procedures
If you are a patient considering a Body After Weight Loss procedure, please continue reading for further information on this procedure and what you can expect. If you have any questions about this, or any of our other procedures, please contact us.
What are the Benefits of “Body After Weight Loss” Procedures?
Body After Weight Loss patients often pursue surgery in order to correct a number of issues including:
- Removal of excess skin and fat from various areas
- Tighten underlying abdominal muscles
- Eliminate stretch marks related to pregnancy or weight gain
- Remove excess breast skin and reshape, raise and increase firmness of breasts
- Create a smoother, more streamlined body contour
Like the thousands of patients who undergo these procedures every year, you too can eliminate excess skin and reminders of your heavier frame and celebrate your new body with the confidence you deserve.
Preparing for Your “Body After Weight Loss” Procedures
What is the first step in pursuing “Body After Weight Loss” procedures?
The first step when considering Body After Weight Loss surgeries is to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Barr. The consultation process provides an opportunity for you to obtain important information about the procedure and to have all of your questions answered prior to proceeding with surgery. It also enables Dr. Barr to properly assess you and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery.
You should be prepared to discuss your medical history, including any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries, all current medications, as well as any significant weight gain or loss.
During your consultation Dr. Barr will carefully examine your areas of concern and assess your general health. Different surgical approaches and options will be discussed and he will explain which surgical approach would be best suited to you based on your individual characteristics and aesthetic goals.
The benefits, risks and potential complications associated with Body After Weight Loss surgery will be thoroughly explained during this consultation. The information provided at this initial consultation will be comprehensive and thorough, and should enable you to make an informed decision as to whether or not surgery is the right choice for you. A comprehensive instruction package will also be provided to you at the time of consultation, and includes instructions for before and after surgery as well.
Am I a candidate for “Body After Weight Loss” procedures?
The ideal candidates for a Body After Weight Loss procedure are healthy men and women who have realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. You may be a good candidate for Body After Weight Loss surgery if you have attained your weight loss goals, or are close to your weight-loss target and have maintained a stable weight for a significant period of time. Before deciding to pursue surgical options, it is important to determine if your weight loss has stabilized. For those patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, weight loss usually does not stabilize until after the one year mark.
Rapid weight loss or gain can dramatically affect your skin. For that reason, your weight loss should be stabilized prior to addressing sagging skin. Should you continue to lose weight following surgery, you may again develop areas of loose skin. Alternatively, should you regain weight, there is a risk of developing visible stretch marks. In cases where skin is forced to stretch beyond its means, the skin may even crack, causing dermal fissures. Left untreated, these fissures can become infected and quite painful. If your weight loss is stable and you are at your optimum weight loss goal, you may be an ideal candidate for surgery.
What Type of Procedures are Included in “Body After Weight Loss” Procedures?
Body After Weight Loss surgery is customized for each patient and can include a number of procedures depending on the concerns of each client. Some procedures that may be part of your Body After Weight Loss procedure include:
- Breast lift, breast augmentation or both
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- Body sculpting or contouring procedures such as liposuction, SmartLipo or BodyTite
- Arm, Thigh, Buttock, Face or Neck Lift
- Cellulite reduction procedures such as Cellulaze
The type of procedures best suited to your individual needs will be discussed with you during your consultation with Dr. Barr.
The Procedure
What will I need to do prior to surgery?
Prior to surgery you will be scheduled for a pre-op session with a Registered Nurse to review your medical history and your post-op instructions. She will review all of the information you will need to know in order to prepare yourself for surgery.
Where will my “Body After Weight Loss” procedures be performed?
Your procedure will be performed within the state-of-the-art facilities of Barr Plastic Surgery, located within the Northern Ontario Surgical Centre.
Northern Ontario Surgical Centre has been awarded accreditation by the CAAASF (Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) for meeting the standards of a hospital in regards to monitoring, emergency and resuscitation equipment. With two levels and entrances that conceal the actual size of the facility, the centre itself spans 8000 square feet and incorporates fully equipped major and minor operating rooms, a monitored multi-bed recovery area, 10 laser and treatment rooms, spacious consultation areas, private offices to discuss financing options, elegant waiting areas and a private waiting and secure rear entrance/exit for additional privacy when desired.
Who will administer the anaesthetic?
A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer your anaesthetic, stay with you during the entire operation, and will be there as you wake up.
Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
During office hours our Patient Coordinators and nursing staff are available to answer any questions or concerns following your surgery. After hours, Dr. Barr is available by pager.
Pricing
How much do “Body After Weight Loss” procedures cost?
Pricing for your procedure will depend on the type of procedures that will encompass your “Body After Weight Loss” surgery plan and will be provided to you during your consultation.
Patients choosing to invest in their self-confidence and happiness through cosmetic surgery have many options available to make this investment more manageable. Our Patient Coordinators are familiar with various payment options and can facilitate the process for you.
Is full payment required or do you offer a financing plan?
Affording your procedure can be made simpler by using Medicard which enables you to pay for your surgery with monthly payments. Please note that this company is not affiliated in any way with Barr Plastic Surgery. For more information on how financing can help you afford your procedure, visit:
MEDICARD
www.medicard.com
1-888-689-9876
- Fax, online, phone application
- Approval within 1 business day
- Payment terms: 6 months to 5 years
- No down payment
- Rates based on overall credit history (11.9% – 25%)
- No penalties for early payments
Is my procedure covered by insurance?
“Body After Weight Loss” procedures are considered cosmetic surgery and therefore not usually covered by private or provincial insurance such as OHIP.
What is included in the surgical fee?
The facility fee, surgeon, nurses, anaesthesia and anaesthetist, surgical supplies, and equipment used are all covered in the fees.
You will also be provided with prescriptions for medications to be taken after surgery. These prescriptions are subject to the same coverage you would receive from your medical insurance. If you do not have personal insurance, these medications will pose an additional cost to you.
Is a deposit required? When is it due?
There is a $500 deposit for any surgery under $5,000, a $1000 deposit for any surgery over $5000, and a $2500 deposit for any surgery over $10,000.
When is payment for the surgery due?
Payment for your surgery is due 14 days prior to your surgery date. Payment can be made by:
- Cash
- Certified Cheques
- Mastercard or VISA
- E-transfers
- Financing plan
Recovery
Will I need to stay overnight following my surgery?
“Body After Weight Loss” surgeries are generally outpatient procedures and do not usually require an overnight stay at Barr Plastic Surgery. Following your surgery you will need a friend or family member to pick you up and care for you for 24-48 hours. This person should be familiar with your prescriptions and post-surgery instructions.
How long will it take me to recover from my procedures?
Dr. Barr’s extensive experience in performing surgical procedures will help to ensure that your post-operative recovery is minimized. Your recovery time will be entirely dependent on the type of procedures that are part of your Body After Weight Loss surgery. Information on your recovery time will be provided to you after your consultation with Dr. Barr, during which he will determine which procedures you will require.
Will I have scarring?
Dr. Barr takes every precaution to ensure your scarring is as minimal as possible. However, as with any surgery, there is a risk of scarring from the incisions. Once your incisions have healed there are products that can be used to minimize the redness in scars as well as improve the texture. Reusable silicone strips as well as medical grade topical scar creams are available for purchase that will help to reduce the discolouration found in new scars. Precautions that should be taken to minimize scarring will be discussed during consultation.
