What Is Obesity
 |
Dr.
Thomas Schäfer, Senior Surgeon
|
||||
One
of the specialties at the department of surgery in Krankenhaus Hallein is
correction of large or sagging breasts and so-called abdominal aprons or loose
abdominal skin. We also perform correction of slack upper arm skin and obese
hip and thighs. The reason why these operations are performed so frequently is
because more than 150 patients with morbid obesity are operated on in our
hospital every year. These patients either undergo laparoscopic gastric
banding or receive a so-called gastric bypass. After an operation of this kind,
the patient experiences a significant weight loss which may be as high as 70
kg or more, and causes the skin to become so slack that the patients require
plastic surgery, particularly in the breast and the abdomen.
Three
examples of surgical correction are described in the following.
In the first series of pictures you see large sagging breasts and the outcome of surgery shortly after removal of the skin sutures. The reddening in the scar region disappears after a few weeks
The second series shows surgical correction of very sagging breasts. The patient specifically desired no breast enlargement
In the third series you see correction of a so-called abdominal apron
If
you have markedly enlarged breasts and the symptoms that go with it (pain in
the head and neck, back, breasts) or if you have sagging breasts, a loose
abdomen, flabby thighs, or upper arms, we should be able to help you with
surgical correction. A prerequisite, of course, is that we inspect the changes
prior to the operation. This can also be done by sending series of images or
pictures (via email or regular mail). Your general health should be in
moderately good condition. From a medical point of view there should be no
contraindication for surgery. Any blood-diluting medication you may be taking
will have to be discontinued well before surgery. If you have to undergo
surgery in the breast, a mammography will be obligatory.
At
your very first out-patient consultation you will be informed in detail about
the surgical procedures and possible complications. It would be impossible to
explain them here in detail. In any case this information brochure cannot
replace a detailed consultation with the doctor, which is held at your first
examination and takes about half an hour.
Surprisingly,
all of these operations cause no or very little pain. If you still experience
pain it will be treated by one of our anesthetists. You will be given specific
pain treatment for your requirements.
A
very experienced team of nursing staff and doctors will take care of you round
the clock while you stay in our hospital. The duration of your hospital stay
will be determined according to your needs. As soon as the doctor deems you
fit to be discharged from the hospital, your subsequent treatment will be
continued on an out-patient basis. For breast tightening or breast reduction
you need to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days. For tightening of the
abdominal wall, usually you have to spend a minimum of 4 to 5 days in the
hospital. Tightening the upper arm skin or thighs requires an in-hospital stay
of 3 days.
If
skin sutures are needed at all, they will be removed after 10 to 12 days. No
stitches will be visible on the outside. After the operation you can resume
nearly all activities of your life. In fact, it’s very important that you
return to your familiar environment of family, work, leisure activities and
sports as early as possible.
|
|
Breast
tightening or breast reduction |
Removal
of an abdominal apron |
Tightening
the upper arm skin and thighs |
||
|
Day
1 |
|
Out-patient
examination; you will be informed about the operation in a detailed
consultation, and the skin incisions will be outlined on your skin. |
|
||
|
Day
2 |
|
|
|
||
|
Day
4 |
Removal
of drains, change of dressing
Discharge |
Change
of dressing. If you wish you can be discharged
from the hospital. You will then receive care on an outpatient basis. |
Change
of dressing, removal of drains, placement of a stocking or an upper arm
stocking.
Discharge |
||
|
Day
5 to max. day 14 |
|
Outpatient
care |
|
||
|
Day
10 |
|
Suture removal |
|
||
If
you
want further information you may contact our office at any time and fix an
appointment for a personal consultation:
-
For
telephone consultation call 0043 6245 799 360
