NEWS ON THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OBESITY

BACKGROUND:Liposuction is one of the most common elective surgical procedures in the U.S. and is supposed to be on the increase. AIM: The present study analyzes the effects of the surgical removal of subcutaneous adipose tissue by ultrasound-assisted megalipoplasty (UAM) on BMI (body mass index), weight variation and anthropometric measurements in obese people. METHODS: Thirty premenopausal obese women underwent UAM, superwet technique. The mean aspirate volume was 17.5 L (range 9.2-26.3l). BMI, weight and anthropometric measurements were determined before and 1 day, 3 days, 6 months and 1year after the procedure. RESULTS: UAM reduced all parameters in the first six months after surgery, without further important changes in thefollowing six months. No major complications were noted in our study. Minor complications were present in 13 patients: seroma (10 patients), skin necrosis (2 patients), burns (1patient) whichwere solved favorably. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that UAM is safe andrepresents a reliable alternative to bariatric surgery, universally accepted in the treatment of obesity. It should be considered only if a dedicated team for the treatment of obesity exists (nutritionist, plastic surgeon, general surgeon, anesthesiologist and psychologist). UAM, by aesthetic benefits to patients (removing a large amount of fat with minimal blood loss), restored all patients satisfaction and esteem.