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Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Four

Under My Skin To combat rising obesity levels, a host of weight-loss options and initiatives have become available to Australians, many with outstanding results. And while losing weight has many health and wellbeing benefits, Dr Dilip Gahankari of Advanced Aesthetics says many people are left depressed and unhappy due to the resulting excess or sagging skin; in some cases they even regret losing the weight. “We see a lot of patients who have lost large amounts of weight, whether it be through weight-loss surgery such as bariatric banding or other methods,” Dr Gahankari said. “This is always a positive step toward better health and I applaud anyone who has made the lifestyle changes needed for such dramatic results.” While it is undeniable that this weight loss will result in improvements to a person’s health, there is often excessive, sagging skin as a result and this can cause patients a lot of distress and discomfort. There are cases where a patient is so unhappy with this excess skin that they feel regret at having lost the weight. This sagging skin is often accompanied by fat deposits, and can occur in areas such as the mid-section, lower torso and upper legs including the abdomen, waist, inner/outer thighs, buttocks, and/or hips. Dr Gahankari says this sagging or excess skin can have a severe negative impact on a person’s mental wellbeing. “We know that being substantially overweight can lead to issues of depression and self-esteem problems,” Dr Gahankari said, “but when the weight is lost, often people are left dissatisfied because they have all this excess skin which they feel looks and feels worse than their preweight loss body.” Reedy Creek resident Emma Hutton knows this all too well. After a lifelong battle with obesity, Emma underwent lap band surgery and as a result she shed an incredible 80 kilograms. However, Emma’s extraordinary achievement was undermined by the large amounts of excess, sagging skin left behind after her weight loss, and she was left feeling self-conscious and depressed. While she was happy to have lost the weight and undoubtedly felt healthier and happier, she Nutritio n & Fitness still felt very much restricted and smaller sized clothes were not fitting properly. “It was great to be thinner but my life was still very much restricted,” she said. “Under my arms it was really obvious. It was as though there was as much skin there as there was when I weighed 150 kilograms.” Emma met with Dr Gahankari to discuss undergoing a Body Lift; a surgical procedure which removes the excess skin and fat. It’s a complex procedure and one in which Dr Gahankari is considered a leading specialist. “The precise procedure varies with each patient, depending on the person’s body type, the amount of weight lost, and the desired outcome,” Dr Gahankari said. “However, generally, the surgery involves making an incision that follows the upper and/or inner thigh, to the waistline. In more extensive surgeries, the incision goes around the waist and lower back. “Excess skin is removed, followed by the underlying fat deposits. Finally, the skin is pulled taut and sutured into the new configuration. Liposuction may also be used in conjunction with a body lift.” After discussing the procedure with Dr Gahankari, Emma made the decision to undergo the procedure. It turned out to be a life changing decision. During the procedure, Dr Gahankari removed five kilograms of excess skin, finally ridding Emma of her ‘tuck shop arms’ and all the excess skin that had caused her so much distress. Finally, she was able to live the life that she had dreamed of while she was working so hard to lose the weight. Dr Gahankari said these procedures are becoming increasingly popular with people who have undergone large weight loss. “A Body Lift produces great results and we are always thrilled with the life-changing impact it has on patients such as Emma. The sagging skin and fat deposits are removed and the patient is left with a firmer, tighter, appearance.” pm pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 59


Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Four
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