Using the BODY-Q to Understand Impact of Weight Loss, Excess Skin, and the Need for Body Contouring following Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND

A consequence of bariatric surgery is redundant skin for most patients. The authors measured health-related quality of life and appearance following bariatric surgery in relation to weight loss, excess skin, and need for body contouring.

METHODS

The sample included Canadian participants from the BODY-Q field-test study recruited between November of 2013 and July of 2014. Participants were invited to complete BODY-Q scales and questions to assess weight loss, amount of excess skin, and need for body contouring between June 7, 2016, and November 29, 2016.

RESULTS

Two hundred fourteen participants responded (75 percent response rate). Of the 210 who underwent bariatric surgery, most were left with excess skin [n = 196 (93 percent)] and needed body contouring [n = 168 (80 percent)]. Higher percentage total weight loss correlated with more excess skin (r = 0.24, p = 0.001), the need for more body contouring procedures (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), and (worse) scores on seven of 13 BODY-Q scales. Having redundant skin correlated with more physical symptoms (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), the need for more body contouring procedures (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), and lower scores on 12 BODY-Q scales. The need for more body contouring procedures correlated with more physical symptoms (r = 0.23, p = 0.001) and lower scores on 12 BODY-Q scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess skin after bariatric surgery is a disabling problem. Additional research using the BODY-Q is needed to determine improvements that can be achieved following body contouring.