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).
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| 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).
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| 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.
