Self-Reported Height and Weight for BMI Calculation Compared With Measured Height, Weight, and BMI in Patients Undergoing Liposuction of the Upper and Lower Abdomen: A Single-Center Retrospective Review

Abstract

Self-reported height and weight is commonly used in medical practice for the determination of body mass index (BMI). Self-reported height and weight can be underestimated or overestimated resulting in inaccurate BMI calculations. In our practice the self-reported height and weight are obtained at the time of cosmetic surgery consultation. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of preoperative height, weight, and BMI calculations in patients undergoing liposuction of the abdomen in comparison to measurements obtained by nursing staff the day of surgery. Clinically, these data may affect perioperative risk stratification and preoperative planning with respect to deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis. Using Nextech electronic medical records (EMR) system, charts were reviewed from July 2019 to July 2022. Patients identified as having underwent liposuction of the upper and lower abdomen were reviewed. All patients had been consented for the prescribed procedure. Data extracted included the self-reported height/weight and calculated BMIs obtained at the time of consultation as well as measured height/weight and BMIs from the day of surgery. The study sample included 50 patients (31 women and 19 men), with an average age of 44 ± 11 years (range, 20-71 years). Time from consult to surgery ranged from 2 to 270 days with an average of 58 days. Time of consult (TOC) height average was 169.1 cm (range, 152.4-190.5 cm) versus day of surgery (DOS) height average of 169.5 cm (range, 149-190 cm). Time of consult weight average was 82.4 kg/181.66 lbs (range, 54.5-115.9 kg/120.15-264.89 lbs) versus DOS average of 84 kg/185.19 lbs (range, 53.8-116 kg/118.61-255.74 lbs). Time of consult BMI average was 28.5 kg/m2 (range, 21.1-43.9 kg/m2) with a DOS average of 29 kg/m2 (range, 20.9-47 kg/m2). Height was on average underestimated by 0.03 cm. Weight was on average underestimated by 1.6 kg at the TOC compared with DOS. BMI difference between TOC and DOS had an average underestimate of 0.5 kg/m2. A total of 8 patients upstaged to a higher obesity classification based on DOS BMI calculation. Subgroup analysis of male and female height and weight estimations versus measured data are also reviewed. When averaged the time of consultation height, weight, and BMI correlated with height, weight, and BMIs measured and calculated the day of surgery in patients undergoing liposuction of the abdomen. Sixteen percent of our study population were reclassified to a higher obesity class based on DOS height and weight. For the purposes of accurate perioperative risk management and deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis planning, height and weight should be obtained accurately at the time of consultation or at a preoperative visit within 1 month of surgery.