Beverly Hills Weight Loss Surgery

There is no denying it that there are more and more people suffering from obesity around the world. While most of us wish to lose some excess weight from time to time, in most of the cases this can be managed by adopting a healthy diet and doing plenty of exercise.

However, an increasing number of people are reaching a critical Body Mass Index number which means that traditional forms of weight management are very difficult for them to implement. For patients whose BMI is 40 or over weight loss plastic surgery provides a viable solution and can help with problems associated with significant excess weight such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Weight loss surgery options include gastric bands (a band placed around the stomach making it much smaller) and gastric bypass surgery (rerouting the digestive system to prevent food from being absorbed).

The result of these surgeries is rapid weight loss but they can often leave patients with a lot of excess skin, which is not only unsightly but can be painful as well when folds of skin rub against each other. Plastic surgery procedures can help with the problems associated with weight loss surgeries. Face lifts, breast lifts, thigh lifts and tummy tucks are all plastic surgery options that can improve the wellbeing of patients. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is a double board certified surgeon and as such he is qualified to advise on all types of plastic surgery following weight loss.

Now a breakthrough study shows that plastic surgery plays a significant role not only in dealing with the weight loss surgery aftermath but with keeping the weight off and long-term weight management too. At the recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons conference Dr. Donna Tepper presented the findings of her study that show that weight loss patients who have undergone plastic surgery following their weight loss were able to maintain their weight longer and more successfully than those who did not undergo plastic surgery.

The study looked at 94 bariatric surgery patients and followed their progress over a 10 year period. Dr. Tepper concluded that “of the patients who underwent contouring surgery, the average decrease in BMI was 18.24 at 2.5 years, compared to a statistically significant 12.45 at 2.5 years for those who did not have further surgery”.

The reason for these results lies in the positive psychological effects of plastic surgery. When undergoing plastic surgery procedures patients regained functionality and were able to maintain a healthy active lifestyle without the discomfort of excess skin. In addition, their body image was drastically improved, they felt and looked great and had more motivation to keep the weight off and make a healthy lifestyle a long term priority. Dr. Trepper remarked, “As plastic and reconstructive surgeons, we are encouraged by the idea that improved body image can translate into better long-term maintenance of a healthier weight, and possibly a better quality of life for our patients”.

While weight loss surgery is a viable solution to patients suffering from obesity, plastic surgery procedures offer results that translate into a more aesthetically pleasing and better functioning body. Patients choosing to opt for plastic surgery are at an advantage when striving for the ultimate goal of wellbeing, positive body image and successful long term weight management.

Dr. Warren Lent is a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. As a result he can advise on both weight loss surgery and any follow up plastic surgery.