Beyond the Scale: Celebrating Healthy Victories in Your Bariatric Surgery Journey

June 8, 2023
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Tracking your post-bariatric surgery progress is key to maintaining motivation and ensuring your hard work is paying off. Stepping on the scale, however, is not the only way to measure the success of your weight-loss journey. Non-scale victories are a useful alternative that can help you stay on the right path.

What are Non-Scale Victories?

Non-scale victories or NSVs are beneficial changes that result from the implementation of healthy lifestyle strategies, like a regular fitness routine or a balanced diet. These are improvements or changes that are not tracked with a scale. NSVs give a more comprehensive picture of how your efforts to improve your health are benefitting your life as a whole.

Clothes Fit Differently

One simple way to track the success of your weight-loss journey is to keep an eye on whether your clothes fit you differently. Pay attention to whether your pants feel looser or if your shirts are baggier. You can also check whether you can fit into old clothes you had packed into storage or see if smaller sizes provide a better fit when you’re shopping for new clothing items.

Increased Energy Levels

Another way to tell if your lifestyle adjustments are making an impact is to see if you feel a difference in your energy levels. Healthy habits like exercising regularly and eating a nutritious diet can make you feel more energetic. They can also improve sleep quality, which helps you feel rested so you can start the day with more energy.

Reduced Cravings

Cravings for sugar and unhealthy, processed foods are one obstacle that can make it difficult to maintain progress in your weight-loss journey. Fortunately, these cravings can decrease as you continue to exercise consistently over time. Reduced cravings are a sign your fitness efforts are paying off.

Improved Lab Values

Bloodwork is another tracking method your medical team may implement to help monitor your post-surgery progress. Common metrics used include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol markers. Improvements in these lab values indicate that your lifestyle changes are positively impacting your health.

A Great Support System

Putting together a great support system is another non-scale victory that shows you’re committed to staying on the right track. Finding friends to exercise with or joining a support group can help you stay accountable and ensure that you don’t feel alone on your journey. It’s also important to have professionals—like nutritionists, therapists, and medical providers—to turn to when you run into issues.

Additionally, it’s essential to stay in touch with your bariatric team as you recover and continue to make progress. The team at Wellstar Bariatrics is here for you during every step to provide comprehensive care. Our providers include surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and other healthcare experts—all a vital part of your post-surgery support system.

Reach out today to find out more about Wellstar Bariatrics and learn if bariatric surgery is right for you.

Supplements for a Healthy Body

June 8, 2023
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Dietary supplements are an increasingly popular lifestyle strategy for promoting overall health. In fact, 77% of all U.S. adults include at least one kind of supplement in their diet. Supplements are especially important for bariatric patients to help make sure nutritional requirements are met post-surgery.

Multivitamin

The first place to start when planning a daily supplement regimen is finding a great multivitamin. Multivitamins contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function properly. They are particularly useful if you’re worried about not meeting all of your daily nutritional needs through diet.

There are many multivitamins to choose from, including ones designed specifically for bariatric patients. Your healthcare provider can help you select one that is right for you.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is often referred to as a “superfood” because it contains omega-3s. This is one of the most effective supplements for a healthy body. Fish oil has many potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, boosting your mood, and helping with the symptoms of allergies and asthma. It’s also been linked to improvements in health in many areas of the body, like the eyes, heart, skin, liver, and bones.

Calcium

Getting enough calcium is important for supporting the bones, as well as the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems. It also plays a role in body strength and proper blood flow. Calcium deficiencies can lead to a number of issues, including fatigue, osteoporosis, tooth decay, and depression.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiencies are a common problem in the adult population. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiencies have been linked to health issues like osteoporosis. The body needs Vitamin D to properly absorb calcium, making it a key part of any daily supplement regimen.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is another one of the best supplements for overall health. It plays a role in many important processes in the body, like nerve cell function, the synthesis of DNA, and the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 supplements can reduce the risk of health issues like anemia, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, and depression.

Consult Your Medical Team

These are examples of some of the best supplements for optimal health, but always consult your medical team when making decisions about which supplements are right for you. Your healthcare providers at Wellstar Bariatrics can give you advice on the best daily supplement regimen post-bariatric surgery to make sure all of your nutritional needs are met. Contact us today to find out more.

Post-Op Bariatric Surgery Incision Care

May 25, 2023
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Proper wound care is an essential part of healthy recovery following any surgical procedure, and bariatric surgery is no exception. Taking care of bariatric surgery incisions helps lower the risk of infection and prevents complications. Wound care can also help incisions heal more quickly and with less scarring. Keep reading to find out how to take care of incisions after bariatric surgery.

Tips for Wound Care Post-Bariatric Surgery

Changing your bandages regularly is important. To start, your doctor might even recommend you change your dressings every day. Your provider will give you a specific recommendation for how often to replace the gauze on your wounds. Here are some tips to follow for proper wound care:

Clean Hands

Whether you or a loved one change your bandages, it is critical that you wash your hands first. This will prevent germs from contaminating the wound site. Remember to use warm or hot water and antibacterial soap to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before touching the wound or the dressing.

Avoid Ointments

Stay away from any lotions, creams, or ointments, even if they are marketed as being ‘anti-bacterial.” Bariatric surgery incisions need to be kept clean and dry, and applying anything other than water and soap to the wound can get in the way of the healing process. Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol should also be avoided.

Cover the Wound

The wound should be covered at all times as you recover from bariatric surgery. Any time the dressing is removed from the wound, the chance of contamination and infection is raised. If the bandages get dirty or wet, change them immediately.

Lifestyle Suggestions for Incision Healing

Taking care of your bariatric surgery incisions starts with proper wound care, but there is more you can do to promote healing. These are some lifestyle adjustments you can make to support healing and prevent weight-loss surgery scars:

Get Enough Sleep

Getting plenty of restful sleep is important to help wounds heal properly. Sleep can lower inflammation while also providing blood flow and energy to the wound site, all of which contribute to successful healing and recovery.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking negatively impacts health in many ways and can significantly disrupt the wound-healing process. It reduces oxygen flow to the wound site, increases infection risk, and increases the chance of developing scars from weight loss surgery.

Stay Active

Physical activity will help you recover as long as you do not do too much too soon. In the week after your surgery, you can walk around the house and use the stairs if you do not feel excessive pain. Taking short walks around the house is a great way to ease yourself into staying active. You can slowly increase your physical activity as you start to heal. Before starting any strenuous exercise routine, be sure to get approval from your physician.

Get Follow-Up Support from Wellstar Bariatrics

Wellstar Bariatrics is committed to supporting our patients every step of the way. Whether you have questions about the best way to prevent weight loss surgery scars or need more guidance on how to take care of bariatric surgery incisions, we are here to help. Reach out today to find out more.

Tips for Keeping the Weight Off After Surgery

May 18, 2023
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A successful weight-loss journey does not begin and end with bariatric surgery. Bariatric procedures are most effective in the long run if they are paired with healthy lifestyle strategies. In this article, we cover the best tips for how to keep weight off after bariatric surgery.

Optimize Your Diet

If you’re struggling to keep weight off, start by giving your diet an overhaul. Bariatric surgery might change the shape of your stomach or the way your digestive system functions, but what you eat still matters. Try these tips for optimizing your diet.

Prioritize Whole Foods

Replace processed, junk foods with healthy, whole foods. For example, instead of fatty red meats, try lean proteins like chicken and fish. Other great additions to a healthy diet include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is another important part of a healthy diet. If you drink beverages other than water, choose ones that are low in calories and sugar. Aim for an overall intake of between 48-62 ounces of liquid a day. Water is not only essential for most bodily functions, but it also helps you feel satiated throughout the day.

Add Vitamins

Taking a multivitamin or other supplements can help ensure you don’t develop nutritional deficiencies. Ask your provider for specific recommendations for post-bariatric-surgery supplementation.

Change How You Feel About Food

Keeping weight off is not just about changing what you eat — it’s also about changing how you eat. Adjusting your relationship with food starts with tools like therapy, mindful eating, or working with a nutritionist.

In many cases, there is an emotional component to eating habits. Eating may be seen as a comforting or stress-relieving activity. This can be a barrier to keeping weight off, which is why it is important to work with your team to change how you view food. The goal should be to see food as nourishment and fuel and to develop a healthy relationship with eating.

Follow a Fitness Routine

Regular exercise is an important part of any weight-loss journey and will help you lose weight and keep it off after bariatric surgery. It is typically recommended that bariatric patients aim for 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise after recovery from surgery. Start slowly with short walks, and with help from your bariatric team, work toward a more intense routine that combines both cardio and weight training.

Get Support

Feeling isolated can make it difficult to stay motivated and make progress toward your weight-loss goals. You can find post-bariatric support from several sources.

Loved Ones

Reaching out to friends and loved ones during your recovery and weight-loss journey can help remind you that you’re not alone. They can also help you stay accountable with your goals.

Support Groups

Look for support groups where you can connect with other bariatric surgery patients. These groups provide a space where you can discuss shared challenges during recovery and tips on how to keep weight off after bariatric surgery. Many bariatric patients find support groups helpful because other members know exactly what they’re going through. They can also be great places to find workout buddies and swap healthy recipes.

Your Healthcare Team

Whether you have questions about incision care, need advice on dietary adjustments, or need exercise guidelines to support your recovery, your healthcare team at Wellstar Bariatrics is here to help. We provide personalized support during every stage of your journey.

Find out more about how Wellstar Bariatrics can assist your weight-loss journey today.

How to Design an Exercise Plan for Beginners

April 14, 2023
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Regular exercise has many health benefits that make it a worthy addition to your lifestyle. These benefits include increased strength and muscle mass, improved mood and energy levels and a reduced risk of developing several health conditions.

A consistent fitness plan is an especially important part of a healthy lifestyle following bariatric surgery. To make sure your weight-loss journey is as successful as possible, weekly exercise is key. Here are some tips for how to make an exercise plan for beginners and start experiencing the benefits.

Start Slow

When you’re putting together an exercise plan after weight-loss surgery, it’s important to start slow. This will allow your body to recover from surgery and prevent you from overdoing it in your workouts.

Fortunately, there are plenty of effective exercises to choose from that won’t put too much stress on your body as you get started. A few workouts that are commonly recommended to individuals following bariatric procedures include yoga, walking, jogging, pilates, and cycling.

Set Goals

Goals are an important part of any fitness program; however, they can be especially important for beginners. When you set out on your fitness journey with clear objectives, you’re more likely to stay motivated and work hard to meet your goals. A good tip is to set both short-term and long-term goals.

An easy short-term goal is deciding how many days a week you will exercise for, or how long each fitness session will be. A long-term goal could be an activity that you want to prepare for in the future, such as taking a hike with friends or signing up for a local charity jog.

Include Recovery Time

When you’re getting started with regular exercise, it can be tempting to work out every day. However, this can increase your chance of suffering injuries because it doesn’t give your body time to rest. Recovery time is especially important post-bariatric surgery. Don’t forget to include breaks in your exercise plan to allow your body to recover between workouts.

Stay Flexible

When putting together exercise plans for beginners, it’s essential to stay flexible and embrace change when necessary. The most important part of developing an exercise plan after weight-loss surgery is to find fitness strategies that work for you. Don’t be afraid to try out a variety of workout types before landing on the one or two that you enjoy most.

Be open to working out with friends, at a gym, or from home so you can find the environments that are most motivating to you. Finally, don’t forget to listen to what your body is telling you.

If you feel like you’re pushing too hard or are dealing with uncomfortable symptoms like pain or shortness of breath, reduce the intensity of your workouts and consult with your doctor to develop workouts that are ideal for your body.

Get Personalized Support from Wellstar Bariatrics

Wellstar Comprehensive Bariatric Services is dedicated to offering comprehensive support to our patients, guiding you every step of the way—from pre-surgery consultations to post-surgery lifestyle advice. Whether you’re in Marietta, Smyrna, West Georgia, or Augusta, we’re here to assist you in developing a personalized exercise plan that aligns with your goals after weight-loss surgery.

Our team can help answer questions like what exercises are right for you, how long you should work out at a time, and what kind of nutritional changes you should make to supplement your workouts. Reach out today for personalized support from Wellstar Bariatrics.

The 3 Most Common Bariatric Surgery Myths

April 6, 2023
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While there is a wealth of health and medical information available online, it’s not all true. Some of this false information can even be dangerous. When you’re researching health conditions on the internet, it’s important to take what you find with a grain of salt and verify it with a medical professional.

Uncovering the truth with your doctor will help you prevent misinformation and protect your health. In this article, we will dispel a few of the most common bariatric surgery myths that you’ll find online.

Common Bariatric Surgery Myths

Myth #1: All Bariatric Surgery is the Same

Bariatric surgery is an umbrella term that includes several different weight loss procedures. Contrary to what this weight-loss surgery myth would suggest, there are several different types of bariatric surgeries that involve different procedures and techniques.

A few of the most common procedures include:

Gastric Sleeve — The gastric sleeve procedure changes the shape of the stomach from a pouch to a sleeve that is often compared to a banana.
Roux-en-Y — This surgery both reduces the size of the stomach and changes how food passes through the intestines.
Duodenal-Switch — The duodenal-switch procedure is like the Roux-en-Y in that it affects both stomach size and how the intestines function, but this treatment bypasses more of the intestines than the Roux-en-Y.

Your bariatric surgery team can help you determine which procedure is right for you and your individual situation. Certain surgeries are better for some individuals than others.

Myth #2: Weight Loss Surgery is a “Quick Fix”

One of the most popular bariatric surgery misconceptions is that weight-loss surgery is a “quick fix”, or that individuals who get it are “taking the easy way out”. Actually, bariatric surgery is combined with healthy lifestyle strategies, like eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining a regular fitness routine. To ensure the long-term success of weight-loss surgery, sticking to these healthy habits is essential because surgery doesn’t fix the problem on its own.

Myth #3: Weight Loss Surgery is Especially Dangerous

Another weight loss surgery myth is that bariatric procedures are especially dangerous or far more risky than other types of surgery. While any surgery comes with risks, bariatric procedures are considered to be some of the safest surgeries, with a mortality rate that is less than operations like hip replacements or gallbladder removals.

Additionally, bariatric surgery reduces the risk of premature death and health issues caused by obesity. A healthier weight will improve your overall health and reduce the severity of issues like:

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Infertility issues
Sleep apnea
Asthma

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery

To find out more about different bariatric surgery options and whether one of them could be right for you, reach out to our team at Wellstar Bariatrics. We’re committed to helping you throughout your weight-loss journey, from discussing different procedures to following up with healthy lifestyle advice tailored to your needs. Contact us today to find out more.

Quality of Life Improvements from Weight-Loss Surgery

February 17, 2023
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Undergoing weight-loss surgery may sound intimidating, but the benefits far outweigh the fear of any kind of surgery. Life after weight loss can drastically differ if you maintain healthy habits and follow all doctor protocols. You can get your quality of life back and spend more time doing the things you love.

The Procedure

Your results after surgery will vary based on which type you choose. Consult your doctor to determine which procedure is best for you and your future. Some of the most common bariatric surgeries include:

Gastric Sleeve – This surgery removes a portion of the stomach to restrict the amount of food you can consume. It also reduces the hunger hormones produced, which helps decrease appetite.
Gastric Bypass – A small pouch is attached to the intestine to bypass the stomach and reduce how much food you consume.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding – This procedure uses an adjustable band around the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch. This pouch makes you feel fuller after eating less food.

No matter which procedure you undergo, there will be some recovery time. However, the quality of life you receive afterward far outweighs the downtime. Your doctor will work with you throughout follow-up visits to ensure you stay on track.

What Improvements Does This Have on Your Life?

If you go through with any bariatric surgery, you can expect improvements afterward. The weight will start to come off and, with healthy habits, will stay off for years. Some of the significant improvements include the following:

Increased Self-Confidence

Getting to a healthier weight and returning to normal activities can increase self-confidence. You’ll start to feel like you again, and this can lead to a more positive outlook.

Improving Health Problems

Obesity-related health conditions can be improved or entirely reversed with weight loss. Sleep apnea, diabetes, and heart disease are just some problems that can improve. For example, getting a healthier BMI and enhancing metabolism can help with type 2 diabetes.

Decrease in Urinary Incontinence

There is up to a 61 percent cure rate for incontinence with weight-loss surgery. These changes often occur in women, who usually find relief after the surgery.

Improve Joint Pain

Excess weight can cause pain in the body, particularly with the joints. When you have less fat, the body will actually produce less inflammation-inducing chemicals.

Improve Fertility

Weight-loss surgery can improve fertility and reduce the risk of complications during birth. Problems like preeclampsia, premature birth, and stillbirth can all become less likely once the weight disappears.

These overall improvements can touch every aspect of your life and allow you to get back to the activities you enjoy. Not only will you lose weight, but your overall quality of life will improve.

Talk to a Professional Today

Starting the journey towards a healthier life doesn’t have to be intimidating. Professionals at Wellstar Bariatrics can help you start the process and walk you through every step of the surgery. Schedule an appointment to get started today.

Weight-Loss Plateaus: How to Identify and Overcome Them

December 29, 2022
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As you work towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle after recovering from bariatric surgery, you may face some challenges along the way. No weight-loss journey is the same, and there can be ups and downs as you find the solutions that work best for you. Weight-loss plateaus are one obstacle you may encounter. In this article, you’ll find out how to identify and get through weight-loss plateaus.

Weight-Loss Plateau Identification

The first step towards getting back on track with your goals is identification. Once you recognize you’re in a weight-loss plateau, you can work on adding strategies to get through them to your routine.

Although weight loss can eb and flow, most people can expect to see some movement within a three-week timeframe. If your weight stays the same for longer than three weeks, you are generally considered to be in a weight-loss plateau.

This is a common occurrence, and it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t give up on your healthy lifestyle changes if you run into a weight-loss plateau.

Weight-Loss Plateau Tips

There are many methods to get through this challenge. The best way to find the right solution for you is to research different strategies and pick the one that will fit your individual lifestyle. You might have to try more than one to get the results you want. Here are some tips to help you overcome various obstacles to your weight loss:

Vary Your Workouts

Exercise is an important part of any healthy weight-loss plan. Individuals often find one workout routine that they’re comfortable with and then continue to use it for months without making any adjustments. Your body can easily get used to your workouts, making them less effective.

Try adding in new fitness moves, increasing the intensity of your workout, exercising for a longer period, or adding some variation between your cardio and muscle building exercises to get through a plateau.

Monitor Your Diet

Diet is another important part of meeting weight-loss goals, especially after bariatric surgery. Eating too much, not eating enough, or not eating the right kinds of foods can all be barriers to weight-loss.

Keeping a food journal or using a nutrition app can help you track what you’re eating and make necessary changes to get out of a weight-loss plateau. It is also important to work in partnership with your doctor to ensure your body is getting the nutrients to sustain your weight loss.

Reduce Stress

High stress levels can contribute to weight-loss plateaus by increasing the amount of cortisol in the body. High cortisol makes it harder for the body to lose weight. Stress management strategies like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help you reduce stress and move forward.

Consider Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is another tip. When you don’t sleep enough, it’s harder for the body to lose fat. Research recommends a minimum of 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night to promote overall health.

Get Help With Your Weight-Loss Plateau

If you find yourself stuck in a weight-loss plateau after bariatric surgery and want more information on how to get through it, Wellstar Comprehensive Bariatric Services can help. We’re committed to supporting you before, during, and after bariatric surgery in East Cobb and helping you find healthy lifestyle solutions that work for you. Contact us today to find out more.

Setting Achievable Weight-Loss Goals For The New Year

December 22, 2022
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Each January, many individuals participate in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. One of the most common resolutions is to lose weight in the new year. In fact, one study found that weight loss was not only the most popular resolution of 2021, but also the resolution most likely to be abandoned.

If you’ve set aside your goals for the new year, don’t worry. You can start a new one any time or pick up an old one. The key to being successful here is to make you’re your goals are realistic. Setting realistic weight-loss goals is the best way to make sure you stick to it.

Setting SMART Weight Loss Goals

New Year’s resolutions are much more likely to last into February and beyond when they are carefully planned out. SMART weight-loss goal guidelines are designed to help you create objectives for the new year that work for your individual lifestyle. When you set weight-loss goals, follow the acronym SMART:

Specific

Instead of making a general resolution about losing weight, try to be specific. Examples of details to include when setting realistic weight loss goals are choosing a specific exercise method and organizing recipes for a healthy meal plan.

Measurable

Before you begin, decide how you will monitor your progress along the way. Choose a measurement method, whether that means weighing yourself weekly or tracking improvements in your fitness level.

Achievable

To make sure you don’t lose motivation, set realistic weight loss goals that are achievable based on your fitness level, timeframe, and available resources.

For instance, the CDC recommends 150 minutes of physical activity every week for every adult. There’s also a national guideline for healthy eating, which is approachable for most people.

Relevant

Setting meaningful weight-loss goals makes it more likely that you’ll see them through. Relate your goals to changes you want to see in your own life, such as being able to go on a hiking trip with friends or getting healthier overall for your family.

Timely

Choosing a timeframe for meeting your SMART weight-loss goals can help motivate you to accomplish them. Instead of creating one goal to complete by December 31st, come up with several smaller goals spread throughout the year.

Tips for Meeting Weight Loss Goals

Even if you spend a lot of time setting realistic weight loss goals, it’s common to feel a loss of motivation along the way. Here are some tips for overcoming this and maintaining progress on your weight-loss journey:

Build a Community of Support

Share your weight-loss goals with friends and family members who can help you feel supported and stay accountable when you get discouraged.

Be Patient With Yourself

Keep in mind that you won’t see results overnight. Don’t give up if you’re not seeing changes right away, and remember that continuous hard work and patience is the key to meeting your weight loss goals.

Consult with Your Providers

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare providers if you have questions about setting realistic weight loss goals or if you run into any issues throughout the process of meeting them.

The team at Wellstar Bariatrics is here to support you and help you make healthy lifestyle changes that get you closer to achieving your goals. Reach out today to get in touch.

Will I Need Plastic Surgery After a Bariatric Procedure?

December 15, 2022
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Bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass, gastric band, and gastric sleeve, are amazing solutions for treating obesity. When diet and exercise fail to produce your desired results, bariatric surgery adjusts the digestive system to assist in significant weight loss and improve your quality of life.

While weight loss varies based on procedure type and by the individual, once the patient is out of surgery and in recovery, they can expect to lose an average of 50 to 100 pounds of excess weight. As a result of drastic weight loss, patients are typically faced with two common concerns: scarring and loose skin.

Minimize Post-Bariatric Surgery Scarring

Medical advancements make bariatric procedures minimally invasive; however, some small incisions between the belly button and chest are still necessary. Your surgeon will provide a post-surgery plan with proper wound care. Depending on the patient’s diligence, incisions typically heal and begin to transition into scars within a few months.

Scarring is normal. While scars are more visible just after surgery, they will fade within the first and second years post-surgery. However, there are several things patients can do to speed up the fading process.

Incision Scabs

Don’t irritate or pick at your healing incisions. When you disturb your scab, it forces the skin to restart the healing process. Your skin will naturally shed the scab and heal on its own.

Prevent Infection

Follow your surgeon’s recommendations for cleaning and caring for your incision site to avoid infection.

Hydrate

Drink plenty of water to avoid dry skin, which leads to additional damage.

Sunscreen

Protect your vulnerable skin from dangerous UV rays.

Moisturize

Supplemental collagen-containing creams and daily moisturizers keep your skin soft and refreshed to encourage proper healing.

Avoid Tobacco Products

Smoking constricts blood vessels, stopping the delivery of crucial nutrients to the cells and hindering healing.

Excess Skin Concerns

Over time, our skin stretches to compensate for the extra body weight that accumulates from obesity. This extra skin typically gathers around the belly, buttocks, upper thighs, and upper arms and can linger post-surgery.

The excess skin will attempt to naturally re-tighten on its own; however, age, the amount of weight lost, and post-surgery care can influence the skin’s ability to tighten.

Bacterial Skin Infections

Excess, sagging skin often accumulates around the lower belly area, creating an uncomfortable skin flap on the abdomen called a “pannus.” The heavy skin flap, especially in warmer weather, causes skin irritation and rashes, resulting in threats of painful, difficult infections.

Emotional Distress

When a patient experiences drastic weight loss but is unable to shed the post-surgical skin folds, they may feel stressful reminders of their previous health and obesity struggles, as well as negatively affected self-esteem. Even if they’ve met their goal weight, the extra skin can make it difficult to fit into clothes, causing a drop in confidence.

When Should I Consider Plastic Surgery After My Bariatric Procedure?

Plastic surgery procedures after bariatric surgery help people struggling with the physical or emotional side effects of extreme weight loss.

Goal Weight

Most surgeons will require patients to attempt to reach their weight-loss goal and experience weight stability before opting for skin-removal surgery. After bariatric surgery, it typically takes 12-18 months for a patient to reach and maintain their goal weight.

Nutritional Balance

Surgery takes a toll on the body. After bariatric surgery, the body goes into a negative nutritional balance, which affects the ability to heal properly from additional surgical wounds so soon after the initial procedure.

Scarring

Depending on the bariatric surgery, you may be left with minimal scarring. After completing plastic surgery to remove or reduce excess skin, some patients are left with a fresh set of surgery scars.

Consult Your Bariatric Healthcare Experts

Wellstar’s board-certified bariatric surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals provide comprehensive care from your first evaluation to post-surgery follow-up appointments and support.

We will walk you through each procedure, including post-surgery scarring and excess skin concerns, to ensure a successful recovery and help you achieve the lifestyle change you want. If you’re considering bariatric surgery, contact Wellstar to start your weight-loss journey – we would love to hear from you!

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