How Long Should You Wait Before Skin Removal Surgery After Major Weight Loss?
After losing a large amount of weight, many people are keen to know when they can have the excess skin removed. The answer is not standard. There are many variables that determine when a patient is ready for skin removal surgery.
To start off with, the patient’s weight has to be stable. The patient’s nutritional status, smoking, existing medical conditions, emotional expectations and the scope of the proposed surgery should also be taken into consideration. [Text Wrapping Break]
“Waiting does not mean wasting time for patients who have already been on a long journey to change their bodies,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadir Adnan Hacim, an Obesity and Metabolic Surgery specialist at Erdem Hospital. “The final stage should not be rushed. A patient’s weight should stabilize to plan the surgery safely and for the body to get back into shape.”
Why Weight Stability Matters
Another aspect to be taken into account when assessing how much weight a patient has lost is how much weight they have left to lose. Patients who have had bariatric surgery can continue to lose weight for a period of 1 to 2 years after surgery, depending on the type of surgery and the medication that they are on. With the help of GLP-1 medications, patients can continue to lose weight as well. The patient and surgeon need to assess whether the dose of the medication needs to be increased or if there are changes that can be made to the patient’s diet in order to aid in weight loss. Surgeons are looking for a period of stability in order to plan the safest surgery for their patients and the best result for their patients.
“Today’s weight is not enough for us to make a decision,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacim explains. “We want to see if the body has reached a more stable and more predictable stage. It is easier for us to plan the surgery when the target is not moving.”
During the time in which the patient is losing weight and the skin is becoming loose, is also the time for patients to get physically stronger and healthier. They could start doing physical exercises, and adopt a healthy eating plan that is rich with protein and plenty of water in order to make their body as healthy as possible before the surgery, in order to recover as soon as possible and get back to their normal life as quickly as possible.
Readiness Is More Than a Date on the Calendar
In addition to checking weight stability, a pre-surgical check-up also includes blood tests in order to detect conditions such as anemia, low levels of protein, or a lack of vitamins and minerals. In bariatric patients in particular, nutrition can sometimes be reduced or the intake of food may be less than fully absorbed.
Smoking negatively affects the blood supply to the skin, which is crucial for the healing process. Therefore, patients are expected to stop smoking before and after surgery. Furthermore, patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of blood clots, etc. and those who are on medication must inform their surgeon about their condition before surgery.
“Even if the patient is at a stable weight, he or she may not be ready for the surgery, because the body is not ready to heal. In this case, we put the surgery off for the patient’s good. This is how we practice responsible medicine at Erdem Hospital,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadir Adnan Hacim says.
Emotional readiness also plays a part. The skin removal operation will improve how you feel about your body and how your body looks, by removing excess skin. This operation will have its own set of scars, it will cause swelling and your recovery will be demanding at times. Patients need to have realistic expectations from their operation and also to know the trade-offs.
This includes practical measures and preparing the necessary support for the post-operative period. For example, for very extensive operations, assistance could be needed with dressing and showering, or with meals and taking care of children for several weeks. As for when to return to work, this will depend on the nature of the surgery and the demands of the patient’s job. For international patients, the hospital will also look into a safe way of returning home and follow-up after the operation.
Waiting Can Improve the Decision, Not Just the Result
During the waiting period, patients can prepare in many ways to become ideal candidates for surgery. For example, they can meet with a dietitian and receive information about their blood work, exercise to improve their shape, stop smoking and even work with a psychologist to address issues of body image and other expectations.
There may be changes in the plan too. The patient initially wishing to have all areas operated may be advised to start with the area that is causing the most discomfort first. Proper planning for surgery means choosing the safest approach for the patient’s health in terms of order and the amount of required intervention.
In the end, there is no set time-frame for those who have significantly lost weight. Each individual is different, and the time when it is ‘right’ for surgery will vary. This may be disappointing for some patients, yet is the right approach for the best results.
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