Shaping the Torso: Back Lift After Massive Weight Loss of 120 pounds*

This patient is 5'3". Previously, this patient was morbidly obese. He weighed 311 pounds. He underwent gastric-sleeve surgery. He lost about 120 pounds. After his weight loss, he did not like the appearance of his chest and back. He was particularly distressed about the excess skin and fat on his lateral chest and the middle 1/3 of his back. He did not want a scar across the middle of his back. Thus, he did not want a horizontal torsoplasty (bra straplasty) and selected a vertical torsoplasty. The vertical torsoplasty is also called a stealth incision torsoplasty. He chose the vertical torsoplasty because he could conceal the scar better than the horizontal torsoplasty scar. The goal of the vertical torsoplasty is to eliminate excess skin and fat from the side of the chest and the middle 1/3 of the back. A benefit of the vertical torsoplasty is the ability to conceal the scar when you hold your arms by your sides. The vertical torsoplasty was performed in conjunction with a male chest reduction surgery. The vertical torsoplasty surgery took about five hours to complete under general anesthesia. The length of the vertical torsoplasty incision varies from patient to patient. In some patients, the scar is shorter, while in others, the scar is longer. He was able to return to work ten days after his procedure. The patient is very happy with his flat back, elimination of back skin rolls, and flat chest.