“I have seen these statistics mirrored in my practice”, says Dr. Edward Domanskis, a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and in private cosmetic surgery practice in Newport Beach, California. “I feel that most of these increases are due to the growing number of people undergoing bariatric or weight-loss surgery,” continued Dr. Domanskis.

Just several years ago, the numbers of these gastric restrictive operations were so few as to not even be officially recorded. Even today, the actual number performed is just a guess based on the number of operations performed by mainly general surgeons that are members of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Most of these patients are ill prepared for the physical and cosmetic changes that occur to their bodies as a result of their significant weight loss. They have morphed from immeasurable sizes to acceptable ones but with hanging skin everywhere.

Lori began gaining weight as a teenager eventually ballooning to 270 pounds when she underwent her gastric bypass procedure. She subsequently lost 170pounds. “Even though I felt better,” says Lori ,”I was horrified to see myself in the mirror.” After undergoing a modified tummy tuck, upper arm reduction and lift and having her breast re-shaped by Dr. Domanskis, Lori feels much better about herself. “I am finally ready to begin dating again and even look forward to marriage and having a family,” Lori continues.

“These body contouring patients are becoming an increased focus of my practice. These challenging cases involve extensive surgery, for skin can be literally removed from every part of the body. However, just like in Lori’s case, several procedures can safely be combined and performed on an outpatient basis,” says Dr. Domanskis.

Note: Dr. Domanskis and patients are available for interviews.