SALT LAKE CITY Multiple pregnancies, weight loss surgery and extreme lifestyle changes can lead to dramatic transformation for some people, but what's left of the body may come as a surprise.
"They have massive amounts of skin still on their lower abdomen, on their buttocks, their lower backs, thighs, their arms, as well as the breasts," said Dr. Brian Reuben, a plastic surgeon at LDS Hospital's Avenues Specialty Clinic. He said most people who are successful at losing 100 pounds or more would like to have excess skin removed to realize a full transformation.
"They often feel trapped in their bodies again and sometimes can't exercise comfortably because of the skin that is hanging down or flapping on their bodies," he said."We can contour and reshape that so they can get their bodies back and be able to have a lifestyle that they're interested in after weight loss."
Body contouring is one of the more popular procedures that Reuben performs as a certified plastic surgeon, and the demand for it is high.The major drawback to the surgery is that most insurance companies don't cover the procedure and it can cost patients anywhere from $6,000 to $25,000, depending on various factors.
Patients receiving body contouring surgery, Reuben said, will have been screened prior to surgery and must be found nutritionally sound and ready for surgery. Blood loss and small wound issues or infections are the most common complications involved, he said.
Reuben and Dr. Adam Taintor, a dermatologist at Intermountain Healthcare's Alta View and Riverton hospitals, will be featured on Saturday's Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Health Hotline. From 10 a.m. until noon, the duo will take questions from the public regarding medical concerns and cosmetic procedures dealing with the skin. Anyone interested is welcome to call 1-800-925-8177 during that time.
In addition to body contouring, Reuben performs general plastic or reconstructive surgery, breast augmentations or reconstruction, abdominoplasty and other procedures, including permanent skin rejuvenation procedures in which fat deposits are moved throughout the body to eliminate wrinkles. Non-permanent procedures, such as Botox injections, are less costly per service but don't last as long and often need to be redone, Reuben said.
Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" surgery, is sometimes covered by insurance companies following gastric bypass or banding surgery, but Reuben said it is not enough.
"After such a dramatic change, many individuals need their whole circumference addressed," he said."It's nice to be able to help someone re-establish their life and get the end result that they're interested in."
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Weight loss, skin surgery can lead patients to total transformation
