Body Contouring After Weight Loss

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive approach to management of massive weight loss (MWL) patients seeking plastic surgical reconstruction. The topics covered include the medical impact of obesity and the rise in bariatric surgical procedures that has increased the demand for plastic surgical reconstruction after MWL, critical factors for consideration in the preoperative evaluation of the MWL patient presenting for body contouring surgery, essential elements of intraoperative patient management, and a framework for deciding when to combine multiple procedures and when to perform them in separate stages. Preoperative evaluation of this unique cohort must take into account complex medical and psychosocial issues associated with obesity and operative planning requires unique strategies.