Abstract
Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery can result in excess tissue, manifesting as large areas of redundant skin that can be managed by body contouring surgery. This study aims to quantify the effects of body contouring surgery on indicators of quality of life in post-bariatric patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature revealed on indices of quality of life in post-bariatric patients, before and after body contouring surgery. Body contouring surgery resulted in statistically significant improvements in physical functioning, psychological wellbeing and social functioning, as well as a reduction in BMI. Body contouring surgery offers a strategy to improve quality of life in patients suffering from the functional and psychosocial consequences of excess skin after bariatric surgery.
Highlights
Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BS) achieves significant improvements in the multiple comorbidities associated with obesity such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease [1–4] that in turn result in improvements to quality of life (QOL) [5]
We demonstrate that body contouring surgery (BCS) may improve QOL in patients who have previously undergone bariatric surgery
Significant improvements in physical, social and psychological functioning, as well as benefits in body image, sexual functioning and self-esteem suggest that BCS should not be merely a cosmetic adjunct to bariatric surgery, but has a role in reversing the functional and psychological abnormalities that result from the accumulation of excess skin after massive weight loss
Summary
Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BS) achieves significant improvements in the multiple comorbidities associated with obesity such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease [1–4] that in turn result in improvements to quality of life (QOL) [5]. These beneficial outcomes in QOL are not always observed. In approximately one third of patients undergoing BS, the adipocutaneous tissue following massive weight loss (MWL) fails to contract, resulting in loose, hanging excess skin [6]. The literature demonstrates that these complications following MWL negatively impact upon QOL and other markers of psychosocial distress, including social isolation, self-esteem and perceptions of body image [8–11]
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