Here we tell you what to do with the flaccid skin left over after a drastic weight loss.
Many people who are overweight are frustrated at the end of the hard period of a diet. Yes, they have succeeded! They got rid of obesity . But suddenly they notice that they will have to face another problem: flaccid skin .
Some specialists say that the only way to make this collateral problem disappear is to go to the couch of a plastic surgeon. In fact, this path becomes almost necessary when the skin that hangs in folds is not only an aesthetic problem but, above all, health. However, it is worth bearing in mind that such interventions have their risk.
Why does this phenomenon occur?
When the weight loss is drastic, the skin , which was very stretched, does not contract or fold. And you can not always make it smooth again by applying massages or creams, since the tissues have been stretched for a long time.
Why flaccid skin can become a problem?
Because patients can get a lot of perspiration and sweating can promote infections or the growth of fungus in the folds. In addition, small lesions can be generated by mere friction of the skin, which then cause permanent pain and discomfort. In those cases it may make sense to consider the possibility of undergoing an operation.
But there are other cases in which the patient suffers for mere aesthetic reasons. Those who suddenly see themselves with folds of skin hanging down, feel bad and believe that previous efforts to lose weight have been futile.
In these cases, and given the desire of the patient to undergo an operation, specialists recommend letting at least six months pass and confirming that the weight remains stable. This is crucial, since if the patient comes back to gain weight after the operation, the reacquired kilos could press the scars.
Anyway, an operation is always an intervention and it is worth thinking very well before ringing the surgeon’s bell. Any operation can leave major scars or very sensitive surfaces on which the healing process is delayed.
In addition, it is possible that in the intervention some nerve is damaged and that this results in the loss of sensitivity in some sector.
Therefore, once you make the decision, the most important thing is to choose the doctor with whom you will be treated very well. It is essential to know the professional’s experience and have recommendations. It is also good to demand all the necessary information and clarify the doubts that arise in previous consultations.
Another thing that you can ask the surgeon is to teach the patient, whether through drawings or photographs, where the scars will run.
And of course, another parameter to consider will be the cost of the intervention. It will depend on what medical coverage you have. Sometimes some patients may receive part of the amount reimbursed, particularly if obesity is causing health problems or malformations. It is usually different if the motive is purely aesthetic.