BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries are becoming increasingly common in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. The enormous weight loss resulting from these procedures causes excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue throughout the body, especially in the abdominal region. The objective of this study was to present the technique of vertical abdominoplasty as an alternative for resection of excess skin in ex-obese patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 40 patients who underwent vertical abdominoplasty between 2004 and 2009. The degree of patient satisfaction was assessed through a subjective scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of the patients had minor complications (3 seromas, 3 minor dehiscences, and 5 hypertrophic scars), which were all treated on an outpatient basis. Sixty-seven percent of the patients reported high satisfaction and considered their results as good (grades 7 or 8) or excellent (grades 9 or 10). CONCLUSIONS: The vertical abdominoplasty technique appears to be a new option for the treatment of excess abdominal skin in ex-obese patients.
Obesity; Bariatric surgery; Weight loss; Abdomen
