Aesthetic Procedures After Bariatric Surgery

Importance of Ideal Weight and Post-Bariatric Surgery Procedures

Maintaining an ideal weight and body mass index is not only significant from an aesthetic perspective but also crucial for overall health. Obesity, which can be described as one of today’s most widespread epidemics, is the greatest enemy of an ideal and healthy body size. When a sedentary lifestyle is combined with the frequent consumption of unhealthy, ready-made, and packaged foods, it is no surprise that obesity has become one of society’s biggest problems.

Obesity, especially in later ages, is a serious health issue. Therefore, obese individuals try to lose weight through methods such as diet and exercise. However, since diet and exercise alone often fail to deliver sufficient results, bariatric surgery has become very common among severely obese patients. Procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass allow these patients to lose weight quickly.

After Bariatric Surgery

It generally takes patients about 12–16 months to reach their ideal weight following bariatric surgery. After patients have achieved their target weight, post-bariatric surgery procedures are often required. These usually involve multiple aesthetic operations, and patients are expected to maintain their ideal weight for at least 3 months before undergoing such procedures.

During this period, the body adapts and stabilizes at the new weight. Patients who have not yet reached their target weight should wait before undergoing aesthetic procedures, as surgeries performed during active weight loss may not yield satisfactory results. Cosmetic procedures performed 15 months or later after bariatric surgery tend to produce more successful outcomes.

What Do Post-Bariatric Surgery Procedures Include?

Post-bariatric procedures may include:

- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

- Thigh lift

- Arm lift

- Breast reduction

- Breast lift

- Buttock lift

- Liposuction

A plastic surgeon examines the patient’s existing fat and skin distribution and performs one or more of these procedures according to their needs. Some patients may require only one aesthetic procedure, while others may need several surgeries. In the latter case, the surgeon schedules these procedures in stages, allowing recovery time between each one.

All post-bariatric surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. Patients are usually monitored in the hospital for 1–2 days before being discharged. While recovery times vary depending on the specific procedure, at least 1 week of rest is generally recommended after each surgery.

Is Post-Bariatric Surgery Difficult?

Compared to other aesthetic surgeries, post-bariatric procedures tend to be more complex. The large amount of excess skin that must be removed and the necessity of reshaping the remaining skin into the most aesthetically pleasing form make the operations longer and more challenging.

Additionally, factors such as chronic illnesses, vitamin deficiencies, or protein insufficiency in the patient can add to the complexity of planning and performing the procedures. However, when carried out by an experienced surgeon and a specialized team, and with close patient monitoring, complications are rare.