Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Duration: 12 months
Obesity has become a major chronic health problem in this country, and is second only to tobacco as a cause of premature death. Bariatric surgery has evolved as an effective treatment for morbid obesity, inducing rapid and predictable weight loss within a period of 12 to 18 months following surgery. The dramatic increase in volume of bariatric surgery procedures in the United States has resulted in a large number of patients with secondary deformities of hanging skin after massive weight loss. Consequently, body contouring after weight loss is emerging as one of the fastest growing fields of plastic surgery.
Patients seek consultation with a plastic surgeon to correct skin laxity of the abdomen, thighs, chest, back, and neck, and often undergo multiple procedures involving lengthy incisions. The Life After Weight Loss program at the University of Pittsburgh is a unique clinical center dedicated to meeting the body contouring needs of the massive weight loss patient. For more, please visit UPMC’s Life After Weight Loss Program.
Description and Duration of the Fellowship
In-depth and comprehensive “mentorship” experience with the preoperative evaluation, treatment planning, operative treatment, and postoperative management of patients with breast and body contour deformities. Length of educational program is 1 year clinical with research opportunities. Admission is open to those satisfactorily completing an accredited plastic surgery residency program or other appropriately qualified surgeons.
Research Opportunities
While at least one clinical research project leading to presentation and publication is expected during the fellowship year, significant basic and applied basic science research opportunities are available in one of our Laboratories.
Application Process
Applications for the Body Contouring Fellowship will be accepted between June 1 – October 30 of each year for the fellowship beginning the following academic year. Please apply through the San Francisco match process at sfmatch.org: Aesthetic fellowships: UPMC Body Contouring Fellowship.
Clinical Goals and Objectives
- To experience a broad education in the art and science of body contouring surgery
- Formal weekly conference to review assigned readings in core curriculum topics relating to plastic surgery topics
- Weekly outpatient clinic experience in the preoperative evaluation and postoperative management of breast and body contour patients
- Full day a week involvement with an interdisciplinary weight loss team, with formal exposure to team members and their respective roles.
Didactic Goals and Objectives
- Demonstrate knowledge of the changes in body habitus that accompany weight gain and weight loss
- Participate in a multidisciplinary integrated weight loss team Gain experience in the surgical correction of body contour and breast deformities
- Operative experience, and postoperative management
- To experience progressive senior surgical responsibility in the essential phases of patient care: preoperative evaluation, and therapeutic decision making.
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Chakurda
Body Contouring Fellowship Coordinator
3380 Boulevard of the Allies
Suite 180
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-641-3723
Fax: 412-641-1149
chakurdabl@upmc.edu