insideKENT Magazine Issue 27 - June 2014 | Page 88

HEALTH+WELLNESS

MISS NORA NUGENT
CONSULTANT PLASTIC
SURGEON DISCUSSES

Post
Weight Loss
Plastic
Surgery
We are hearing more and more about Britain’s
obesity problem with increasing numbers of
children and adults overweight. The National
Obesity Forum expressed concern in January
2014 about the scale of this problem. Over a
quarter of British adults are now obese and many
more overweight. So what happens if you had
concerns about your health and have lost a large
amount of weight? This is hugely beneficial for
your health, particularly your heart and your joints.
However for many, one of the next concerns is
how to deal with the loose skin that may be left
behind after dramatic weight loss. Consultant
Plastic Surgeon Nora Nugent talks through the
procedures available and some of the things to
consider before surgery.
After major weight loss where previously the skin
has been stretched, skin can lose elasticity and
fail to ‘snap back’ as the weight is lost. This, now
unsupported, skin and underlying fat can hang
down and sag. As well as being unsightly and
significantly affecting self esteem, the extra skin
can make exercising more difficult, getting clothing
to fit properly more difficult and can cause skin
hygiene and irritation problems.
Over the years, a number of procedures have
been developed in plastic surgery to address this
issue and fortunately we can now deal with most
problem areas. I have briefly mentioned some of
the more common operations and what they
achieve.
The skin in the inner part of the upper arms can
sag and appear loose. Excess skin can be
removed from the inner arm and a more
contoured appearance achieved in an upper arm
lift or Brachioplasty procedure.

Flattening of the breast shape and flopping of
the breast can be corrected by lifting the breast,
a Mastopexy or breast lift procedure. This
repositions the nipple and reshapes the breast,
removing excess skin. If less volume is also
desired in the breast, a Breast Reduction can be
done. This combines the lift of the breast and
repositioning of the nipple done in a Mastopexy
with a reduction in size of the breast as well.

the surgery and that you know how to contact
them afterwards. Check that your surgeon is on
the specialist registrar for plastic surgery with the
General Medical Council and that they hold the
FRCS (Plast) qualification or equivalent. Check
that the clinic they are operating from is CQC
approved.

For the abdomen, the overhang of skin that
occurs can be removed in a ‘tummy-tuck’
procedure or Abdominoplasty. Sometimes the
overhang extends around the side of the body
and the buttocks can drop as well. A Lower Body
Lift can address this problem and help lift the
upper outer thighs as well.
A Thigh Lift removes the excess skin from the
inner thigh and helps to reshape the thighs. It is
similar in concept to the Brachioplasty procedure
for upper arms.
Before having surgery, it is important to be at
your goal weight or as close to it as possible and
to be at a stable weight. If you are still losing
weight e.g. after gastric band surgery, you may
not get the best result from your surgery as more
weight is lost. Weight loss should be part of a
lifestyle change. It is essential to have incorporated
a healthy diet and regular exercise into your
lifestyle in order to maintain the benefit of your
weight loss. Stopping smoking should be part
of this change in lifestyle as well. If you lost weight
following a surgical procedure such as a gastric
band or bypass, your bariatric surgeon can help
advise on the timing of surgery.
Finally, check your surgeon! Ensure that you will
see the surgeon who is operating on you before

88

Miss Nugent consults weekly at Nuffield
Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
For further information or to arrang