REGIONAL DERMOLIPECTOMY AS TREATMENT FOR SEQUELAE OF MASSIVE WEIGHT-LOSS

Dermolipectomy is the most important procedure for treatment of the de formities engendered by massive weight loss. It remains the only treat ment for excising redundant skin. Although liposuction is useful for r emoving fatty deposits without traditional surgical incisions, its app lication is limited by the ability of the skin to contract and conform to the newly sculpted figure. Thus liposuction may serve as an adjunc t when treating the sequelae of weight loss but not as a primary proce dure, In response to changing expectations, reconstructive surgeons ha ve developed increasingly ingenious and specific dermolipectomy proced ures to minimize or hide scars, lessen morbidity, and enhance function . Liposuction in combination with dermolipectomy has expanded the appl icability of traditional procedures to a wider variety of patients. Su rgical history patient selection, surgical planning, a spectrum of reg ional dermolipectomy procedures, and potential complications are discu ssed herein.