Is Plastic Surgery Effective for Weight Loss?

What Is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty involving the body's alteration, reconstruction, and repair. It focuses on improving the appearance of the face and body. Cosmetic surgeons achieve this goal through surgical and nonsurgical procedures.

Plastic Surgery Is Not a Weight Loss Surgery Replacement

It is important to distinguish between weight loss surgery and plastic surgery. Body contouring procedures are part of plastic surgery. These include tummy tucks, liposuction, thigh and breast lifts, and body lifts. Yet, their purpose is not to help patients lose weight.

Instead, they aim to make people who are at or are very close to their ideal weight look better. These procedures can relieve pain and embarrassment brought on by excess skin. That allows patients to wear clothes that fit them and participate in desired activities.

You should not consider plastic surgery a substitute for diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. For instance, liposuction targets particular problem areas that diet and exercise alone cannot address. It only removes a small amount of fat. Thus, following these procedures, people should not expect significant weight loss.

Weight Loss Surgery Is Different From Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is not the same as weight loss surgery, also referred to as bariatric surgery. A general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery can perform various procedures. These include a lap band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass.

With bariatric surgery, the surgeon reduces the patient's stomach capacity and appetite. That leads to weight loss. Do you need to lose a significant amount of weight? If so, these procedures can be very effective. They can enhance both your physical appearance and general health.

Yet, weight loss surgery cannot address cosmetic issues arising from significant weight loss. When you carry significant extra weight for a long time, your skin will lose its elasticity and shape. That will result in sagging skin. Bariatric surgeons might not have adequate training to address these issues.

Plastic surgery can help remove excess skin and contour the body. It aims to improve the outcomes of weight loss surgery. It is best to realize that these two procedures are distinct. After all, they have different objectives.

Weight Loss and Plastic Surgery Go Hand-in-hand

Significant weight loss can change your life. Yet, it can also have unfavorable side effects like sagging skin and stubborn fat deposits. Herein lies the role of plastic surgery. By removing excess skin and contouring the body to give it a more youthful and toned appearance, plastic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, can help address these problems.

Bottom Line

When combined, weight loss and plastic surgery can be practical tools for assisting people in achieving their ideal body types and regaining confidence in their appearance. Speaking with a qualified plastic surgeon is crucial to learn the best options for your unique needs and goals.

For more information on plastic surgery vs weight loss surgery, call Aesthetic Surgical Associates at our Metairie, Louisiana office. Call 504-226-8200 to schedule an appointment today.