Jennifer Matthews: Maria Beal has been heavy for as long as she can remember. But Maria knew she had to lose weight for her health, so she had gastric bypass surgery.
Maria Beal: By August, I was down 65 to 70 pounds. By October, I was down 100, 105.
Jennifer Matthews: But with the weight loss came another problem, excess skin. And more than the cosmetic, it brings medical problems.
Dr. Dennis Hurwitz: Infections that can be troublesome to dangerous. They lead to cellulitis and abscess.
Jennifer Matthews: Typically patients undergo multiple surgeries to remove all the skin, but plastic surgeon Dennis Hurwitz performs a procedure he calls "a total body lift."
Dr. Dennis Hurwitz: In our fast-paced life today, with people wanting to get back to work and avoiding long post-operative convalescence, repeatedly going to surgery, this is working for them.
Jennifer Matthews: He cuts around the hips and buttocks and removes the excess skin then does the same around the back and below the arms. A new study found this large operation is no more risky than several small ones, just maybe a little more painful.
Maria Beal: There was not a spot on me that didn't hurt
Greg: When you see the final picture, and you see the results that have become from all this, she will tell you herself that it is worth it.
Jennifer Matthews: A winner in more race than one. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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