What do I do with the extra skin after Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Handling Extra Skin after Sleeve Stomach Surgery
By: Jessica Basso, RN, BSN
Firstly, what is a Sleeve Gastrectomy?
This is a surgical procedure to help aid individuals with weight loss. With the Sleeve Gastrectomy (Sleeve Stomach Weight Loss Surgery) you can expect to lose an average of about 60-70% of your excess weight the first year.*
With that significant amount of weight loss, extra skin can become an issue. Our skin goes through many transformations throughout the period of our lives. There are many factors in which affect the property or elasticity of our skin. Things such as rapid weight loss, age, sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, and genetics all affect the elasticity of skin. Because of these factors, excess skin, post weight loss surgery, may be more or less abundant.
Handling extra skin after the Sleeve Stomach Weight loss Surgery, you need to:
- Hydrate
- Eat healthy (protein & vegetables being most important)
- Take your vitamins daily
- Moisturize your skin
- Exercise
These habits will help burn fat and build muscle. These are all-natural remedies of getting rid of excess skin. Unfortunately, these remedies do not always correct excess skin and surgery may be needed. Surgery to remove excess skin can be addressed by a plastic surgeon.
If I feel I’d like to remove excess skin through plastic surgery, when it a good time to do it?
Most noteworthy, Sleeve Gastrectomy and other Weight Loss surgery patients need to be at a stabilized weight for a period of time before skin removal. They should also be getting adequate nutrition for proper healing to take place. If you are a smoker its necessary to stop at least 4-6 weeks prior. Smoking increases the risk of post op complications.
Will insurance cover my plastic surgery?
Not all insurances may cover skin removal. While, if you have a medical reason represented by proper documentation, it has the possibility of being approved. They will want to see that you have exhausted all other possible solutions to resolve the excess skin. Furthermore, if skin becomes an issue where rashes or infections have developed they will need to see that medications such antifungal creams, lotions or powders were prescribed and ineffective in resolving these medical issues.
I hope this information gives you a guide in reducing excess skin if you have underwent or are going through Sleeve Gastrectomy and other Weight Loss surgery.
*Individual results may vary
I hope this article was helpful. We are here at Tri State Bariatrics to answer any of your questions. Call us at 855-328-7483 or Contact us here.
About Jessica Basso:
______________________________
Nursing
Education
Dominican College: Bachelors Degree in Nursing
RN License: New York State
Affiliations: American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Jessica graduated from Dominican College with her bachelors of science in nursing. She is a registered professional nurse in the state of New York and a member of the American Nursing Association. Her previous work experience in the healthcare setting has allowed her to be able to assist with patient care in both the administrative and clinical aspects. Her compassion for nursing and helping others brings a positive attitude to the office. As a part of the multidisciplinary team at Tri State Bariatrics Jessica strives to provide and deliver quality patient care as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle. She educates patients on the surgical procedures, assists in the pre-operative workup phase, and truly enjoys encouraging and supporting all her patients while on their weight loss journeys.
Related Posts
