title: The life after weight loss program: a paradigm for plastic surgery care after massive weight loss.
abstract: Obesity has become a nationwide problem. In every state, at least 1 in 5 individuals is obese. Because of the obesity epidemic and the comorbidities associated with obesity, many people turn to bariatric surgery as a treatment option. The most popular bariatric procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding. With the success of these procedures, patients experience massive weight loss in a short period of time. Their weight loss can be from 50 lb to more than 100 lb. Because of this massive weight loss, patients are left with loose hanging skin. Body contouring in plastic surgery has increased in demand, following the popularity in bariatric procedures. In 2002, the Life After Weight Loss clinical program was established at the University of Pittsburgh, by Dr. J. Peter Rubin, Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery, UPMC, and Director of the Life After Weight Loss Program.
authors.affiliation: Wendy Wakefield, RN, BSN, CRNP, MSN, is currently a nurse practitioner at Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, in the Life after Weight Loss Program. Her 27 years of experience include burn care, wound care, and plastic surgery. J. Peter Rubin, MD, is Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Endowed Professor of Plastic Surgery, and Professor of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA. Jeffrey A. Gusenoff, MD, is the Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Co-Director of the Life After Weight Loss Program; Co-Director of BodyChangers; and Director, Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Fellowship, UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: J Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gusenoff
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D015431:Weight Loss