BACKGROUND: Trophic skin alterations that occur during aging are observed more often in the thighs and arms than in other body regions. Patients experiencing substantial weight loss after bariatric surgery exhibit more evident problems, including unsightly appearance, discomfort, difficulty walking, and hygiene problems. The present surgical approach aims to reverse these effects by means of resection of the cutaneous excess. METHODS: Thirty patients who previously underwent bariatric surgery and experienced substantial weight loss were selected. All patients also underwent abdominoplasty with or without brachioplasty simultaneously or at different times. The cutaneous resection was oriented along an oblique and sinuous line along the anterior face of the thighs in the projection of the sartorius muscle route. All patients were monitored for a minimum period of 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The surgery significantly improved the internal contours of the thighs, improving the patients' quality of life. Four patients had small suture dehiscences, and 2 had lymphocele. No hematomas, infection, or distortions in the external genitalia were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The oblique resection of cutaneous excesses was applied specifically in patients who experienced substantial weight loss after bariatric surgery. This technique significantly decreased the volume of each thigh and readjusted contours without increasing morbidity.
Bariatric surgery; Weight loss; Plastic surgery; Thigh
