I underwent total body contouring plastic surgery in 2013, a decade after my gastric bypass. My plastic surgery results, in the words of my plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph F. Capella, were “incredible, fantastic, there aren’t enough adjectives to describe it.” As for me, I am over the moon happy having gone from size 14 jeans to size 2 jeans. I even wear a bikini bathing suit.
I also had facial rejuvenation at the very end of 2013 with Dr. Catherine Winslow, a facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Winslow now calls me “gorgeous” rather than by my name, as in “Hi Gorgeous” when she greets me. I am thrilled that Dr. Winslow gave me a matured version of the face I’d had in high school. I feel as though I’ve been given a second chance to live my life the way it was meant to be lived. Plastic surgery affects more than just a physical change. It affects the psyche on the emotional, spiritual, and mental planes, as well.
“I operate with a scalpel, not a magic wand.”
I have been extremely fortunate with my plastic surgery after weight loss results. I feel blessed, like I hit the jackpot, and so very grateful! However, my editor over on HealthCentral Obesity asked, “How can someone cope with her plastic surgery results if she’s unsatisfied with them and can’t afford additional or revision surgery?” Let’s explore that very valid concern.
Realistic Expectations for Plastic Surgery
A patient must have realistic expectations going into plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon must manage those expectations and explain to the patient her realistic outcome. This is done by the plastic surgeon pulling tight her excess skin on each area of the body to simulate her results after plastic surgery. As well, showing before and after photos of other patients with similar body types. Read my article, “18 Insider Tips of Plastic Surgery.”
One patient told me that a plastic surgeon said to her, “I operate with a scalpel, not a magic wand.” While another patient told me her plastic surgeon said, “Let’s go for a 10!” I wonder about these statements. Does the first plastic surgeon lack the skills to deliver the results that the patient wants? Is the second plastic surgeon just telling the patient what she wants to hear?
Be sure to get the plastic surgeon’s policy on revisions at the first consult because policies vary widely.
It is critical that the patient and her plastic surgeon be on the same page when it comes to what the she expects from the plastic surgery and how the plastic surgeon will deliver that.
Be a Patient Plastic Surgery Patient
The patient must understand that it takes several months to see plastic surgery results. I was disappointed with my body contouring at about one-week post-op and spent the entire day crying. I went to my plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph F. Capella, and he assured me he would revise me but that I would need to wait at least three months to see the ultimate results of my plastic surgery.
Be sure to get the plastic surgeon’s policy on revisions at the first consult because policies vary widely.
Some revisions can be performed in the exam room under local anesthesia at no cost. Other revisions must be performed in the O.R. under general anesthesia. The surgeon typically will waive his or her fee. However the patient may have to pay hospital costs, which can be in the thousands. Some plastic surgeons are very willing to do revision surgery while others are not.
Reality Check after Plastic Surgery
If months have passed and the patient remains unsatisfied, it is a good idea to pull out before and after photos for a reality check. Improvement is more likely than perfection for a massive weight loss person, but it should be significant improvement.
“At some point I have to just accept me for me…”
One patient told me, “I am not looking to be Barbie or Twiggy, but rather a more compressed me if possible. I feel like a barrel even after the plastics I’ve been able to have via my HMO. At some point I have to just accept me for me with my bodily flaws; and every scar on my body has meaning to me!”
When I look at my before and after photos, I am amazed at what my plastic surgeons were able to achieve. Still, my body lift has some flaws and my facelift needs dermal fillers and Botox from time to time. Some of these flaws are owing to the stress that is placed on the body from massive weight gain, which permanently degrades the skin’s structures. There is a limit to what can be achieved realistically, and I love and appreciate what Dr. Capella and Dr. Winslow have done for me.
Add to that, both Dr. Capella, a plastic surgeon in New Jersey, and Dr. Winslow, a facial plastic surgeon in Indiana, were generous with revisions. They each tweaked my results in a subsequent plastic surgery. As I’ve already mentioned, massive weight gain destroys the skin’s elastic fibers. These will never recover, even with weight loss and exercise and plastic surgery. So when my tissues settled and I had a little loosening up, as is normal, Dr. Capella retightened my tummy tuck and Dr. Winslow retightened my facelift. I am grateful that they waived their fees and are deeply dedicated to the aesthetics of the post massive weight loss body. Not all plastic surgeons are so dedicated.
Self-Acceptance after Plastic Surgery after Weight Loss
Some people, no matter what, will always desire more. Consider the many celebrity plastic surgeries who have ruined themselves going too far with plastic surgery. It is such a shame they never find peace and contentment within themselves.
Self-acceptance is, after all, a state of mind.
I had considered for a long time to have additional plastic surgery. I desired a narrow waist, beautiful breasts and buttocks, the body of my dreams. Having deeply considered this over time, that dream has been replaced with other dreams, at least for now. I am enjoying life and experiencing what I term “universal love” on a level I’d never before imagined.
One might say that I finally woke up! Self-acceptance is, after all, a state of mind.
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
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