The experience performing extended abdominoplasty in massive weight loss patients

Aim: The post-bariatric patients who undergo torsoplasty often incur postoperative complications that dilate their recovery time. The authors propose the technique of extended abdominoplasty, described in 2012 for aesthetic torso remodeling, in post-bariatric patients in order to reduce complications and hospitalization time. Methods: The authors performed 21 extended abdominoplasties and compared them with 21 torsoplasties in post-bariatric patients during a 1-year period. Data studied was age, gender, duration of the procedure, blood loss, complications and hospitalization duration. Results: Peri and postoperative bleeding led to 3 cases of anemia necessitating blood transfusions in 14.3% of the second group; no blood transfusion was needed in the first group. No other major complications occurred during the postoperative period in both groups. Conclusion: The authors believe that extended abdominoplasty is a viable alternative to the torsoplasty in selected patients presenting a severe adipocutaneous circumferential laxity, as occurs in post-bariatric patients with a significant weight loss.