Torsoplasty following Massive Weight Loss

Massive weight loss, defined as loss greater than 100 pounds, either from diet and exercise or from bariatric surgery (such as gastric bypass), can leave areas in which your skin is loose and sagging. You may experience infection or hygiene problems underneath these overhanging folds of skin. We all gain weight and lose weight in different ways so some areas are more affected than others in any individual. If you have multiple areas of concern, we may stage your surgical procedures sequentially for maximum safety, with the area causing your greatest problem done first. Your weight should be stable before having body contouring surgery to increase the success rate from the surgery. Smoking increases the risk of complications, so smoking cessation beforehand is strongly advised.

Proper nutrition is often a concern following your gastric bypass. A personal consultation is necessary to evaluate your health, individualize the treatment plan, and learn all the risks and benefits. The goal is to reduce the sagging and improve the contour to better match your improved body image. The area which commonly causes the greatest problem is generally the trunk.

Circumferential torsoplasty addresses your excess skin and fat in the abdomen, flanks, back and buttocks by extending the traditional abdominoplasty excision arond the entire body. Some individuals will also require a vertical midline excision in the abdomen to remove all the excess in that area. If there has been flattening of the buttocks with the weight loss, some of the excess tissue may be used to "autoaugment" the buttocks rather than discarding all the excess.

Sagging in the face, "bat wing" laxity of the upper arms, loss of volume and drooping of the breasts, and/or laxity of the thighs are often treated in subsequent stages depending upon what is needed and important for the individual.

The only way to know what is right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Young. What’s next? If you would like to talk to Dr. Young following massive weight loss, please call us at 314-485-2846 or e-mail us today.