Weight Loss/post Bariatric Surgery

With the rising epidemic of obesity in the United States, bariatric procedures have become more prevalent.  Data reviewed by the NIH between 2004-2011, revealed an overall prevalence of obesity among US  workers was 26.2%.  Surgeons and medical practitioners continue to battle the ongoing epidemic and are offering more and more options for patients to lose unwanted weight.   This can range from lap banding surgery, bariatric sleeve gastrectomy, roux-en-y  gastric bypass (RYGB) to name examples of more invasive procedures.  Less invasive procedures have come to include gastric balloons, jaw wiring, and even less conventional procedures such as the tongue patch diet.  Some patients try to avoid surgery altogether and have begun to employ HCG, appetite suppressants such as Phentermine, and even hormone replacement therapy to help stimulate metabolism and avoid food cravings.   Yet others recognize the maladaptive behaviors in their life and do the hard work of dietary restriction and exercise to help drop the pounds.

Regardless of the option employed by the patient, this can result in significant problems for patients after working hard to lose their weight.  Often patients come with cosmetic issues such as skin laxity and body contour irregularities that require correction to achieve a more satisfying outward appearance. While other massive weight loss patients present with functional complaints such as skin rashes, breakdown in abdominal and thigh folds, difficulties maintaining hygiene, and even difficulty in ambulating due to a weighty pannus or the intense weight of loose skin in the arms and legs.  All of these problems are similar in that they are the result of skin ptosis (hanging skin).