by [TC]²
A New Method of Classifying Adiposity Using Height, Volume and Surface Area
Introducing the Barixsm
Continued...
Breast Augmentation Barix Trajectory Example
In general, a subject's subsequent descending Barix calculation and negative Barix Trajectory indicates that the subject is gaining weight and/or the (torso volume/surface area) product is increasing.
There are circumstances in which the subject's descending Barix can occur suddenly, such as a subject that has undergone breast augmentation surgery, or over a finite period of time, such as an expectant mother going through pregnancy.
The following example depicts a subject that has undergone a breast augmentation procedure. Breast augmentation is an invasive surgery. Breast implants are placed within the subject's chest wall. Swelling of the chest area occurs immediately after surgery. Over a period of time the swelling diminishes and the implants settle.
By utilizing the Barix, the Barix Trajectory and the Barix Rate of Change, the surgeon can determine when swelling has diminished and the breast implants have settled.
Figure 20 depicts a series of scans of a subject that underwent a breast augmentation procedure.
Figure 20
Breast Augmentation Subject Scans
Pre-op Scan Image |
1 Month Post-op |
3 Month Post-op |
 |
 |
 |
Table 16 displays the torso height, torso volume, torso surface area and Barix for the pre-operative, 1 month and the 3 month post-operative scan images.
Table 16
Pre-operative, 1 month and 3 Month Post-Operative Barix Information
– Breast Augmentation Example
|
Torso Height |
Torso Volume |
Torso Surface Area |
Barix |
Pre-op |
61 |
27510 |
5022 |
11.135 |
1 mo post |
61 |
28189 |
5044 |
10.915 |
3 mo post |
61 |
28010 |
5038 |
10.972 |
Figure 16 graphically illustrates the Barix Trajectory and Barix Rate of Change and Optimal Barix Range concept for a subject that has undergone a breast augmentation surgical procedure.
Figure 16
Graphical Representation of Barix Trajectory, Barix Rate of Change and Optimal Barix Range for Breast Augmentation Subject
Table 16 and Figure 16 indicate that the subject's pre-operative Barix was 11.135. 1 month after breast augmentation surgery the subject's Barix was 10.915, reflecting the addition of the breast implants into the subject's torso. During this period the subject had a negative Barix Trajectory. The Barix Rate of Change was (11.135 – 10.915)/1 month, or 0.22.
The subject's 3 month post-operative Barix was 10.972. Between the 3 month post-operative scan and the 1 month post-operative scan, the subject's Barix Trajectory changed from negative to positive. This indicates that the swelling has begun to abate. The Barix Rate of Change between the 3 month post-operative scan and the 1 month post-operative scan was (10.972 – 10.915)/ 2 months, or 0.03. This Barix rate of change is nearly zero, indicating the subject is reaching her Optimal Barix Range.
Conclusions
The new adiposity indicator, the Barixsm, has general application to the adult population. The Barixsm is computed using a combination of torso height, torso surface area and torso volume as a proxy to categorize the general shape of the body. These measurements are gleaned from the subject's white light scan. No weight information is required. This technique supercedes conventional Body Mass Index calculations, which can lead to falsely categorizing subjects as obese.
Adults can compare their Barixsm to the Generalized Barix Scalesm to determine where they fall within the general adult population. Periodic Barixsm calculations tell whether the individual is gaining or losing weight.
The Barixsm can also be utilized by medical, health and fitness professionals. Specialized Barix Scales sm have already been applied to bariatric surgery. Other applications include post-operative recovery from various surgical procedures.
Monitoring the Barixsm, Barix Trajectorysm, Barix Rate of Changesm and Optimal Barix Rangesm allows the surgeon to determine the patient's rate of surgical recovery and when the patient has reached full recovery.
September 2005