Satisfaction and complications in post-bariatric surgery abdominoplasty patients.

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is an expanding field, with subsequent increases in the number of patients seeking additional corrective procedures including abdominoplasty. Complication rates and body image changes may be different from the general population seeking corrective procedures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study by questionnaire and chart-based review of the patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and abdominoplasty at our hospital between 1995 and 2004. Outcome variables included minor and major complications and satisfaction with body image and functional outcome.

RESULTS

Patients who returned the completed questionnaire were included in the study (n = 25). The most prevalent complications were seroma formation (25%) and wound infections requiring antibiotics (13%). Hygiene, mobility and general functional capacity improved in 68%, 72%, and 80%, respectively. Body satisfaction and body mass index (BMI) did not markedly change, while self-efficacy improved after abdominoplasty.

CONCLUSION

Abdominoplasty is a safe and effective method of body contour correction in patients with massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. However, a BMI as close to the ideal as possible is necessary for the complication rate to approach that of the general population undergoing abdominoplasty. Patients should be made aware of the difference in body image changes after abdominoplasty as compared to post-LAGB, as well as the trend towards an unchanged BMI.