The Corset "Trunk-Plasty"

This procedure is often best for massive weight loss patients who want the best abdominal contour possible and are willing to have extra scars in order to get it.  While the Fleur-de-lis has a corset effect, the corset effect of the Trunk-plasty is even more dramatic.

Like the Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, there is the traditional, lower horizontal scar, a midline vertical scar, and also a horizontal scar that is just under the breasts or chest, making the appearance of the letter I. 

The overall skin removal is much greater than in the Fleur-de-lis. (See Red Shaded area in Figure below) By making a horizontal incision along the bottom and the top, a sort of “open book” is created.  These upper and lower incisions are extended slightly along the sides of the body toward the back. The skin at the sides of the abdomen and some of the back skin (Purple Shaded area below) is then pulled forward like a corset around the body (pull is in the direction of the Green Arrows below).

The Corset Trunk-plasty after massive weight loss

Similar to other abdominoplasty procedures, the rectus abdominis muscles (figure below) are tightened in the midline of the abdomen (see abdominoplasty post above for details). 

Repair of separated Rectus abdominis (Abs) muscles

The corset trunk-plasty not only addresses the excess skin along the lower abdomen, but also the sides of the abdomen/waist and the upper abdomen, creating a very good contour. It typically also improves excess skin in the back and that extra “roll” just below the side of the breasts.