Body contouring following massive weight loss

Abstract

Obesity is a global disease with epidemic proportions. Bariatric surgery or modified lifestyles go a long way in mitigating the vast weight gain. Patients following these interventions usually undergo massive weight loss. This results in redundant tissues in various parts of the body. Loose skin causes increased morbidity and psychological trauma. This demands various body contouring procedures that are usually excisional. These procedures are complex and part of a painstaking process that needs a committed patient and an industrious plastic surgeon. As complications in these patients can be quite frequent, both the patient and the surgeon need to be aware and willing to deal with them.

Keywords: Breast reshaping; belt lipectomy; body contouring; brachioplasty; massive weight loss; medial thigh lift; morbid obesity; upper body lift.

Figure 1

A patient following massive weight loss with typical lower truncal deformities

Figure 8

The same patient as in Figure 7 following upper body lift including bilateral mastopexy for breast reshaping. The lower abdominal scar is that of an earlier belt lipectomy

Figure 2

The same patient as in Figure 1 following belt lipectomy. The marked improvement in the contour of the abdomen, waist, buttocks, and also the thighs is evident

Figure 3

An MWL patient prior to a medial thigh lift

Figure 4

The same patient as in Figure 3 following medial thigh lift. The lower part of the operative scar is seen on the medial aspect of the popliteal crease bilaterally

Figure 5

A patient with the typical "bat-wing" deformity bilaterally

Figure 6

The same patient as in Figure 5 following brachioplasty with improvement in contour. The infrascapular scars bilaterally are those of concomitant back-roll excisions

Figure 7

Another patient seen with the typical upper truncal deformities