Referring Your Patient to the Right Plastic Surgeon

Setting Patient Expectations

Patients must understand the physical consequences of excess weight loss along with the possibilities - and limits - of plastic surgery before LAP-BAND AP^® System surgery to avoid unrealistic expectations.¹ Most post-bariatric surgery patients have realistic expectations of plastic surgery.² Body image dissatisfaction (BID) may be an issue for some female patients, but this is not surprising given the high level of BID in women in general.^3,4

When to Refer Your Patient for a Plastic Surgery Consult

Stabilization of the patient's weight and subsequent patient requests generally dictate the timing of body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery.⁵

Nutritional deficiencies can impact negatively on plastic surgery outcomes and recovery, so patients may require further nutritional counseling and be advised to wait at least a year after their weight loss before undergoing body contouring.

Referring Your Patient to a Plastic Surgeon Specializing in Bariatrics

The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS), established by plastic surgeons who specialize in body contouring surgery specifically for patients who have lost significant amounts of weight, helps bariatric surgeons and their patients find a knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeon. All ASBPS members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

Face and body contouring procedures can be more complicated than the initial bariatric surgery and require a thoroughly trained plastic surgeon. The surgeon should be qualified to perform these procedures and have a practice geared to the special needs of the post-bariatric surgery patient.

References

1. Kinzl JF, Traweger C, Trefalt E, Biebl W. Psychosocial consequences of weight loss following gastric banding for morbid obesity. Obes Surg 2003;13:105-110.
2. Simis KJ, Verhulst FC, Koot HM. Body image, psychosocial functioning, and personality: how different are adolescents and young adults applying for plastic surgery? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2001;42:669-678.
3. Sarwer DB, Wadden TA, Foster GD. Assessment of body image dissatisfaction in obese women: specificity, severity, and clinical significance. J Consult Clin Psychol 1998;66:651-654.
4. Rodin J, Silberstein L.R, Striegel-Moore R.H. Women and weight: a normative discontent. In: Sonderegger TB, ed. Psychology and Gender: Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press; 1985:267-307.
5. Menderes A, Baytekin C, Haciyanli M, Yilmaz M. Dermalipectomy for body contouring after bariatric surgery in Aegean region of Turkey. Obes Surg 2003;13:637-641.