Authored by Malcolm Tatum in Weight Issues
Published on 11-24-2009
In recent years, laser surgery for stretch marks has attracted a lot of attention. Along with women who are looking to get rid of stretch marks after a pregnancy, the surgery has proven effective for people who’ve lost weight and want to minimize the appearance of stretch marks as they continue to tone their bodies and begin to replace the fat with muscle. However, there is some misinformation around about what laser surgery can and can’t accomplish. Here is some information that can help you determine if this procedure would work for you.
The first thing to understand is that the surgery is not a sure thing. While many people see a significant difference after one or more sessions, the fact is that not everyone responds well to the procedure. The nature of the stretch marks is very important to the overall success. For example, marks that are somewhat flat and white in appearance show the least amount of improvement, while more narrow pink stretch marks may seem to almost disappear. A competent surgeon can assess your condition and help you to develop reasonable expectations for the results you can expect from laser surgery.
Skin pigment will also have an impact on the degree of change you see with the stretch marks. People with darker skin tone should be aware of the fact that the light used in the laser treatment may alter the color around the mark, making it noticeably different from the rest of the skin. Depending on the severity of the stretch marks, this could leave you with a condition that is more noticeable than the marks ever were. However, don’t assume that if you have a darker pigmentation that this will automatically occur. The surgeon can assess the general condition of your skin, including the pigmentation, and give you a good idea of what to expect.
Another misconception is that there are no risks associated with laser surgery. While it is true the procedure carries significantly less risk that various types of invasive surgery, the fact is that any type of surgical procedure has some degree of risk. For this reason, it is important to disclose any and all known health issues to the surgeon prior to scheduling the procedure.
Make sure he or she knows any prescription medication you take for health issues like diabetes, nervous disorders, or a heart condition. At the same time, it is a good idea to also provide information on any non-prescription medicines or supplements you take on a daily basis, even simple things like an aspirin or a daily vitamin supplement. The surgeon can advise you of any possible complications that may occur as a result of your current health, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with the surgery.
It is important to note that most insurance companies consider laser surgery to be an elective procedure. As such, there is a good chance you will have to pay for the entire surgery and any follow up treatments out of your own pocket. Before making a commitment with any surgeon, determine if there is any type of payment plant that you can utilize. Some surgeons will allow you to incrementally prepay for the procedure, while others will require a fixed percentage of the total cost, then allow you to pay the remainder in monthly installments.
