The Plastic Surgeon in the Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is an increasingly common disease, whose complex treatment often terminates with the patient's discontinuation of therapies. The authors suggest how to improve a multidisciplinary approach to the obese, to increase compliance with therapy. A characterization of obesity is a helpful initial step. It consists of an accurate anatomic definition of fat distribution, which can more accurately be performed by imaging (U/S, CT, MRI). The patient's obesity should also be identified based on the physical characteristics that we propose. The plastic surgeon's intervention is often required and beneficial in every type of obesity. Many body areas are appropriate for contouring. Apart from providing a gain in esthetic appearance, plastic surgery also results in several benefits for the patient's general health.

Limb Contouring after Massive Weight Loss: Functional Rather than Aesthetic Improvement

“…As a matter of fact, both upper and lower limbs have many analogies in the post-obese patients. As previous researches [1] confirm, fat localisation to limbs is prevalent in women: in the current study, 91% of patients are women. The problems complained by the post-obese are not only relative to esthetics but mainly to vital functions.…”

“…As for the thigh, this means difficulties in deambulation as well as irritation, dermatitis and sensation of heaviness. Likewise for the arm, skin redundancy causes a reduced range of movements in addition to the same dysfunctions mentioned for the thigh [1].…”

“…Massive weight loss, as is increasingly stated in the medical literature [1][2][3][4][5], causes a multi-district pathology for the post-obese patient. Among the various diseases derived from the excessive cutaneous mantle, the tissue redundancy localised to limbs causes a relevant functional impairment for patients.…”

Launois-Bensaude Syndrome: An Unusual Localization of Obesity Disease

“…The rehabilitation obtained will comprise either movements of everyday life or more complex actions, up to tremendous psychological and social benefits as generally noted in obesity surgery [1,37].…”

“…Among the various forms of obesity, according to a recent classification [1], one is unique for its biologic peculiarities and topographic localizations. Launois-Bensaude syndrome, also known as Madelung's disease or multiple symmetric lipomatosis, consists of multiple bulky masses of adipose tissue.…”