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"Whole-Body Lift" Transforms Temple Patient
Photo left: Patient Janet Sutton shows off her glamorous size 6 body after a "whole-body lift" procedure to remove excess skin following a dramatic weight loss of 165 pounds.
Janet Sutton was always an active, attractive woman -- even at size 26. Her weight didn't stop her from doing the things she enjoyed. Although you wouldn't catch her in a swimsuit, and she'd never ride a rollercoaster, she lived a pretty full life.
In 2002, after much consideration and education about the process, she decided to come to Temple for gastric bypass surgery to lose some of those 287 unhealthy pounds. Her personal goal -- to be a size 14.
Sutton followed the special eating plan and was very successful at losing 165 pounds. According to John Meilahn, MD, Director of Bariatric Surgery at TUH, she was a model patient. "He said I did everything right, and the weight just came off," says Sutton.
She lost the weight, along with the awful migraines that she suffered, and gained new confidence --enough to open her own fashion accessory business.
She lost even more weight and achieved a size 6 figure. On her 50th birthday, Sutton celebrated by finally enjoying the thrills of roller coasters and water rides at Hershey Park.
But shedding 165 pounds was only the beginning of her dramatic metamorphosis.
Warned about the excess skin that would result from such dramatic weight loss, Sutton thought it wouldn't be a problem...that she could handle it. "But, oh, the horrors of excess, sagging skin," she says. "My arms had so much skin and so many wrinkles, that people would stare at me. Kids would ask me what was wrong." After hiding the excess folds of skin in her clothing, she decided it was time to do something. Dr. Mitra's office was her next step.
According to Amit Mitra, MD, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at TUH, Sutton was a prime candidate for the whole-body lift. "We felt strongly that she would achieve excellent results from this procedure. We have started seeing more patients needing this type of surgery, but we select them carefully."
The "whole-body" lift accomplishes what exercise can't. The extensive surgical procedure successfully removes excess, sagging skin and tissue that patients experience after significant weight loss including loss of weight after gastric bypass surgery. A "whole-body lift" procedure helps to tighten skin and muscles (especially the abdominals); and restores the natural contours of the body.
"We usually have patients wait at least a year before doing this procedure so that the weight stabilizes," explains Temple surgeon Julia Spears, MD. "You don't want to go through this process, lose more weight, and need to have it done again."
Sutton received "the works" -- stomach, abdominal, buttocks, back, shoulder blades, and a breast implant and lift --all at one time.
Mitra and his team use a modified design system -- a carefully planned strategy to approach this type of procedure. "The whole-body lift requires a different strategy than the traditional tummy tuck or other plastic surgery," explains Mitra. "The key to getting the best results is to use a custom design approach because of the amount of excess skin and tissue we have to eliminate. We mark the body to map out what needs to be cut. During the surgery, we can modify our technique in making these incisions."
Not only is Sutton elated with her excellent results, she also raves about the overall care she received. "At Temple, I really felt confident with the process," she said. "The nurses were compassionate. They answered all of my questions. I didn't have to worry about anything. Everything was checked and double-checked. I really felt safe. These are the things that make a patient feel comfortable."
Sutton talks to women everywhere, even at Wal-Mart, and says she has referred about two-dozen patients to Temple. She gives an important message to women. "Take the time to do something for yourself, to live a better, healthier life. In general women are givers. I am a wife and mother foremost, but I finally took the time to do something for myself, and, in the end, it benefits the whole family."
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- By Vivica Aycox
September 27, 2006
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