Abdominoplasty procedures are often unsatisfactory in correcting body deformities remaining after massive weight loss. Lateral flanks, hip rolls and buttock ptosis need also to be addressed surgically. To achieve a more noticeable improvement in body contour, a circumferential torsoplasty procedure was performed in 30 patients during the years 1993-1997. Twenty of them had had a gastroplasty procedure before with a mean weight loss of 49.5 kg. Mean operative time was 210 min (range 150-420 min). The total resection weight ranged from 2 to 8.96 kg (mean 4.3 kg). Mean operative blood loss was 635 ml (range 300-1900 min). The mean hospital stay was 12 days. Minor complications occurred in four patients and major complications in one. Both patients and surgeons considered the outcome very satisfactory.
Copyright 1999 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.