[Body contour surgery in the massive weight loss patient: three year-experience in a secondary public hospital].

[OBJECTIVE] To present the clinical-surgical three year-experience related to body contour surgery in the massive weight loss patient, performed by the Plastic Surgery team of the Sapopemba State Hospital.

[METHODS] Retrospective study performed at the Sapopemba State Hospital, linked to the 'Hospital das Clínicas' of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, from July 2005 to July 2008. A total of 98 patients was operated, whose morbid obesity had been treated by bariatric surgery, after success of the technique, or weight loss by non-surgical method. Exclusion criteria were smoking, gestational intent and weight instability. Stable weight for at least 6 months after satisfactory weight loss was required from patients.

[RESULTS] Of the 98 operated patients, 97% were female, with mean age of 40.5 years and the weight loss method was the surgery in 88% of cases. From 177 plastic surgeries performed, 46% were abdominoplasty, followed by mammaplasty (15%), thigh suspension (13%) and brachioplasty (12%). Mean hospital stay was of two days and the main diagnosed complications were: seroma (28%), minor necrosis/dehiscences (18%), major necrosis/dehiscences (4%), hematomas (4%), superficial thrombophlebitis from the saphena vein (2%) and deep venous thrombosis (1%).

[CONCLUSION] An increasing demand for surgeries to improve body contour after massive weight loss has been detected. Plastic surgeons must know the clinical peculiarities and higher risk of complications of these patients, control their expectations, analyze results and engage in a continued investigation to improve surgical techniques.