Abdominoplasty After Major Weight Loss: Improvement of Quality of Life and Psychological Status

Abstract

Abdominoplasty provides a reconstructive but rarely aesthetic cosmetic solution after major weight loss. Few articles document quality of life (QOL) issues and the psychological impact of abdominoplasty on obese patients. We report a retrospective study of 41 abdominoplasties performed after an average weight loss of 40.2 kg. Data were obtained through review of patient medical files, double-blind surgical and psychological examinations, and two specifically designated questionnaires used to assess pre-abdominoplasty body perception and QOL, post-body contouring perception of improvement, and psychological status. To date, 14 patients have regained >10 kg; 84.6% have improved QOL; 86.5% have improved psychological status; 74% have better sexual relations; 53.9% admit liking their body; 76.9% are satisfied with the results of abdominoplasty; and 96.1% would be willing to undergo abdominoplasty again. Anterior dermolipectomy improves both QOL and psychological status. Provision of patient education, multidisciplinary management, and long-term follow up are necessary to obtain satisfactory results.

Identity transformation and a changed lifestyle following dramatic weight loss and body-contouring surgery: An exploratory study

“…This finding coheres with Migliori et al, (2006), Cintra et al, (2008), andLazar et al, (2009) and Van der Beek et al, (2010). Not surprisingly, feeling better and portraying a greater sense of well-being means eliciting more positive responses from others; our findings suggest that body contouring surgery can create psychological happiness and improve recipients' lives.…”

“…A finding cohering with Lazar's (2009) assertions that plastic surgery did not heal some patients' 'psychological wounds'. Therefore it is crucial that health professionals employ a wide range of rehabilitation interventions throughout the recovery process and monitor longer term outcomes.…”

Shame and self-acceptance in continued flux: Qualitative study of the embodied experience of significant weight loss and removal of resultant excess skin by plastic surgery

“…This includes the lack of regret expressed regarding having lost weight and had plastic surgery (Stuerz et al, 2008;Lazar et al, 2009). Also, all participants reported improved overall quality of life following weight loss (e.g., Tolonen and Vicorzon, 2003) and removal of excess skin (Song et al, 2006;Lazar et al, 2009;Cintra et al, 2008).…”

“…Typically Body Image appears to have been improved by the post weight loss plastic surgery (Bolton et al, 2002;Song et al,2006;Pecori et al, 2007;Stuertz et al, 2008;Lazar, et al, 2009). Measures of QOL have also typically improved post surgery (Song et al, 2006;Lazar et al, 2009;Cintra et al, 2008).…”

Quality of life among adults following bariatric and body contouring surgery: a systematic review

“…23 Several recent quantitative studies have investigated psychosocial outcomes of body contouring surgery, reporting on changes in appearance, wellbeing and QoL. Quality of life outcomes included physical function and feeling of healthiness, 25 improvements in psychological and mental wellbeing, 26 stability in mood, 18 body image satisfaction, 27,28 identity transformation and changed lifestyle, 29 improved social acceptance 25 and greater involvement in the social and cultural performance domain. 30 Other contemporary qualitative studies reported that ''shame and self-acceptance'' appear to be in a continued sense of flux following body contouring, in which embodiment is destabilized and the relationship between the self and the body is confused.…”