https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24076675/

Have any of you seen this? My WL surgeon shared it with me. Makes me even more glad I had PS done!

4 hours ago, OAGBPal said:

This is fascinating. I wonder if the increase in body 'satisfaction' after PS is what does it, or if there's actual, fat-starved fat cells being removed during PS, helping the patient manage post-op long term hunger?

There could also very well be selection bias. Those getting PS would generally be "more invested" in their WLS somehow.

I've read about the PS thing, too - not sure if it was that article or another one. I think all of those are probably factors - fat cells having been removed, increase in body satisfaction, people don't want to screw up after spending tens of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery - or another factor might be that people who can spring for plastic surgery can (usually) also afford gym memberships, fitness classes, high quality food, etc. For whatever reason, yes - I've read people who've had PS usually have more success at keeping their weight off.

3 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

tens of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery -

This!
For me I tend to put extra care into preserving and maintaining things I believe are highly valuable.

Edited January 26, 20215 yr by GreenTealael

On 01/26/2021 at 05:17, catwoman7 said:

I've read about the PS thing, too - not sure if it was that article or another one. I think all of those are probably factors - fat cells having been removed, increase in body satisfaction, people don't want to screw up after spending tens of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery - or another factor might be that people who can spring for plastic surgery can (usually) also afford gym memberships, fitness classes, high quality food, etc. For whatever reason, yes - I've read people who've had PS usually have more success at keeping their weight off.

I agree, it’s probably a multitude of factors. My insurance paid for my VSG in full, so my financial skin in that game was nothing (although I wouldn’t discount the emotional cost and hard work along the way). However, saving up and then handing over thousands of my hard earned dollars will be a strong motivator to keep on track. And you’re right, my husband and I are fortunate enough to purchase high quality meats & produce, and can afford my kickboxing gym membership so those things help as well. Physiologically, I can also see where the reduction of quantity of fat cells could have effect, plus the additional tightening effect of the muscle repair I had in my abdomen makes my restriction even more pronounced.

I too have read relatively extensively about some of the studies on the positive relationship between plastic surgery and long term weight loss maintenance.

In my insignificant opinion (which is echoed by others above), it has less to do with the actual surgery itself vs. the common characteristics of subjects who tend to pursue elective plastic surgeries in the first place: level of motivation due to investment (financial, time, etc) , socioeconomic status (like someone said above, those who can afford elective plastics usually have more disposable income to put towards other weight loss/maintenance tools/services), weight prior to surgery (i mean usually only those who are close to, or are at goal weight already continue on with plastics), etc. etc.

Of course there will be "successful" subjects who have none of these characteristics, but as stated, its just usually.