Plastic Surgeon Comments on Study of Body Contouring after Weight Loss

    CONCORD, CA, June 29, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Citing a recent study's conclusion that patients who undergo body contouring after weight-loss surgery reap significant psychological benefits, Dr. Eric Mariotti (www.drmariotti.com), a plastic surgeon near Walnut Creek, says financing the procedures is worth the cost to improve an individual's physical and emotional well-being.

"Bariatric surgery is unquestionably the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity," Dr. Mariotti says. "For many men and women, however, the satisfaction following the dramatic loss of weight is short-lived and followed by psychological distress caused by excess sagging skin."

Studies have found bariatric surgery patients suffer increased depression and anxiety after the initial euphoria of the dramatic weight loss wears off.

Nearly all patients who undergo weight-loss surgery are typically left with loose folds of skin that hang from their arms, abdomens, and elsewhere. This excess skin undermines the confidence they might have felt after weight-loss surgery, according to a study published in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

"Many bariatric surgery patients perceive the excess skin folds following surgery as another obstacle in their weight loss journey," the study reports.

Unfortunately, many of these same patients see cost as a major barrier to getting body contouring surgery. Dr. Mariotti, who serves patients from Concord to Blackhawk at his plastic surgery practice, encourages patients to pursue surgery because removing excess skin not only may improve their quality of life, but in some instances help treat medical conditions.

"Insurance may cover certain body contouring procedures that are needed to treat medical problems associated with excess skin, such as chronic rashes," he says. "Even when insurance isn't available, I encourage patients to consider other options, if possible. My practice and many others offer financing through CareCredit, which specializes in setting up healthcare payment plans."

Dr. Mariotti says procedures such as a lower body lift, arm lift, and breast lift are commonly needed after weight-loss surgery. He said he often performs those surgeries in conjunction with liposuction at his practice near Walnut Creek.

The surgeon also points to a study released last year that found people who got body contouring procedures done after weight-loss surgery demonstrated better long-term weight control.

"That study called for body contouring procedures to be considered as reconstructive surgery, rather than cosmetic, for bariatric surgery patients," Dr. Mariotti says. "That's significant, because that could open the door to more of these procedures being covered by insurance."

Dr. Eric Mariotti (www.drmariotti.com) serves women and men in Danville, Concord, San Ramon and Walnut Creek with a variety of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Mariotti combines science, surgical technique and artistry to provide outstanding results for patients of all ages. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and has volunteered for many overseas health-outreach organizations. Dr. Mariotti is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

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