Vertical Torsoplasty After Weight Loss Restores Smooth Contours and Confidence*

This Vertical Torsoplasty case highlights a white woman in her 40s who came to Dr. Katzen unhappy with excess skin and fullness around her upper waist, sides, and back after weight changes.  Despite her efforts with diet and exercise, she could not tighten the stretched skin or improve the deep folds along her torso.  During consultation, Dr. Katzen explained that a Vertical Torsoplasty, also known as a vertical upper body lift, is a specialized body contouring surgery designed to remove loose skin, reduce stubborn fat, and reshape the trunk for a more defined silhouette.  After discussing the procedure and expected recovery, she chose to move forward and was placed under general anesthesia on the day of surgery for comfort and safety.  In the operating room, Dr. Katzen carefully marked a vertical incision along the side of her torso, extending from just beneath the breast toward the upper hip region.  Through this incision, he elevated the skin and underlying fat off the muscle layer to fully expose the areas of redundancy.  He then removed excess skin and localized fat from the side chest, bra roll area, and flank region, precisely contouring the tissues to create smoother lines and more definition.  The remaining tissue was advanced upward and inward, tightening the torso and enhancing the waistline.  Internal sutures were placed to secure the new shape and support long-term results, and the incision was closed in multiple layers to promote proper healing.  As swelling subsided, her torso appeared firmer and more sculpted, with a more balanced contour from front to back.  She was very happy with her Vertical Torsoplasty results, and this case demonstrates how an upper body lift by Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen can complete a patient’s post–weight loss body contouring journey.