Body Contouring After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Individuals who undergo bariatric surgery generally experience rapid and dramatic weight loss. While the weight loss typically confers significant health benefits, an undesirable consequence is often excessive quantities of hanging, surplus skin. Some patients undergo body-contouring surgery (BCS) in order to improve health, mobility, appearance and psychological adjustment. While the majority of post-bariatric patients desire BCS in one or more body regions, a small percentage of patients receive such surgeries. Lack of knowledge about procedures, cost and (in the USA and several other countries) difficulty obtaining insurance reimbursement likely prevents many patients from undergoing BCS. Those who do undergo BCS appear to be at heightened risk for wound-healing complications. Despite these complications, the majority of patients report satisfactory BCS outcomes. The extant literature in this area provides a great deal of information about these issues; nevertheless, additional research is needed to further inform clinical management and improve patient outcomes.

Comparison of the Moorehead‐Ardelt quality of life questionnaire and the BODY‐Q in Danish patients undergoing weight loss and body contouring surgery

“…For every scale a recall time was provided, and the response options were limited to four and labelled in accordance with recommendations . The final version of the BODY‐Q included 18 individual functioning scales . Subsequently, a stretch marks scale and a chest module were added .…”

“…28 The final version of the BODY-Q included 18 individual functioning scales. 4 Subsequently, a stretch marks scale and a chest module were added. [29][30][31] The BODY-Q was linguistically-and psychometrically validated for use in Danish BS and BC patients according to ISPOR 32 and WHO 33 guidelines.…”

“…Most people undergoing BS develop excessive skin following massive weight loss (MWL) . In several studies, excessive skin has been shown to have a negative impact on health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) and self‐perceived appearance despite the beneficial effects of weight loss …”

“…2 In several studies, excessive skin has been shown to have a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and self-perceived appearance despite the beneficial effects of weight loss. [3][4][5] To gain accurate insights into the impact of BS and body contouring (BC) after MWL on patient HR-QOL, it is necessary to use a reliable and valid patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). 6 Decisions about treatment in clinical practice for the individual patient, in research and health policy are increasingly informed by PROM data.…”

Obesity in the Workplace

“…The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, reports that more than 50,000 individuals underwent this procedure to remove excess skin associated with increased body image issues and decreased physical function and quality of life, which likely motivates pursuit of these surgical treatments. 120,121 The majority of patients who undergo these procedures report satisfaction with the results and improvements in physical and psychosocial health. Additional research is required to determine indications for body contouring surgery and coverage by health insurance.…”