HOW TO RESEARCH PLASTIC SURGERY AFTER GASTRIC B..

You've overcome the tremendous medical hurdle of bariatric surgery, a major accomplishment unto itself. You've lost a ton of weight really quickly, and the pounds are still melting away. Speaking of melting, you also haven't been able to ignore your hanging folds of skin, cellulite, wrinkles and sagging muscles. These are all aftereffects of rapid weight loss. They are inevitable but not irremovable. Which is why you're considering plastic surgery after gastric bypass. Plastic surgery after bariatric surgery is a safe, effective way to manage excessive skin folds, wrinkles, and sagging muscles. Post bariatric body contouring has been shown to tighten muscles, restore a healthy youthful silhouette to one's physique, and improve overall health. And the long term positive effects upon your mental outlook can't be overstated. But before you rush headfirst into just any plastic surgeon's office, consider the following checklist of research you should perform. Books and directories: Related books available at the library or online contain advice and how-to methods for locating quality plastic surgeons.

Online directories consisting of Board Certified plastic surgeons can also point you in the right direction. Word of mouth: Ask around at the clinic where your surgery was performed. Someone is certain to know of a great plastic surgeon who specializes in post bariatric surgery. Here you'll also get unfiltered first person reviews of surgeons as well. Your doctor: the physician who conducted your surgery is likely to be a part of an extended network of surgeons which includes those who focus primarily on post gastric bypass surgery. Board Certification: Specifically by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic and reconstructive surgery certifying body recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Beware of 'Cosmetic Boards'. They are not the same and their certification standards are variable at best. Every physician should also be licensed by their State Medical Board. Licensing information for any physician is obtainable by private citizens at any given State Medical Board website. Organizations: Check that the surgeon is affiliated with The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Membership is encouraged of all plastic surgeons, though is only granted to a prospective member after he/she completes a strenuous, thorough admissions process. During the process, every aspect of the surgeon's schooling, experience, licensing, and credentials is scrutinized to the letter. Membership within these organizations automatically constitutes the most elite validation of a surgeon's skills. CME: Continued Medical Education constitutes medical instruction all physicians must either receive or supervise the teaching of for a certain number of hours each year in order to renew their license with the State Medical Board. This ensures a surgeon is up to date on new practices and cutting edge techniques. Armed with your list and questions to ask, start your quest for a plastic surgeon today!

Narrator: Your surgeon will perform bariatric surgery if your weight loss efforts through lifestyle changes and medications have been unsuccessful. There are two types of bariatric surgery. Restrictive procedures decrease the size of the stomach so a person feels full quickly. After surgery, the stomach holds about one cup of food. A normal stomach holds 4 to 6 cups. Malabsorptive procedures decrease the absorption of calories in the small intestine. Before your procedure, an intravenous line will be started. Bariatric surgery requires general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. A breathing tube will be inserted through your mouth and into your wind pipe to help you breathe during the operation. Gastric bypass, technically referred to as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is both a restrictive and malabsorptive procedure, because it reduces the size of the stomach and decreases the absorption of calories in the small intestine.

Your surgeon will use one of two methods for gastric bypass surgery. The open method requires an 8 to 10 inch incision in the abdomen. The laparoscopic method only requires several small keyhole incisions through which your surgeon will pass a laparoscope and surgical tools. A laparoscope is a thin, lighted instrument that projects images of the surgery on a monitor in the operating room. During a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure, your surgeon will use surgical staples to create a small compartment, which will serve as your new stomach. This pouch will hold about one cup of food. The lower portion of the stomach continues to secrete digestive juices, but does not receive food. Next, your surgeon will cut the small intestine well beyond the stomach and bring one free end up and attach it to the pouch. He or she will then attach the other free end lower down on the small intestine, creating a Y shape.