Body Contouring Brings Lasting Improvements
Weight loss surgery patients report better quality of life after excess skin removal
Body Contouring for patients who have had weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery) produces long-term gains in quality of life, says a study that recently appeared in the medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). For patients who have loose skin after losing a large amount of weight, the study found, procedures such as a tummy tuck or breast lift can lead to increased satisfaction with the decision to have bariatric surgery in the first place.
The researchers, led by Dr. Eva S.J. van der Beek of University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, evaluated quality of life assessments from bariatric patients though an average of 7 years after body contouring. They reported significant and lasting improvements in quality of life for people who have Body Contouring after bariatric surgery.
Scores improved in six of seven quality of life areas measured, including physical functioning and appearance, mental well-being, social acceptance, intimacy and social network.
Overall, 55% of patients were very satisfied with their results. All but one of the 33 patients said they would undergo body contouring again and about one-quarter of patients had further body contouring surgery.
The most common procedures undergone by the participants in the study were tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, and breast surgeries.
The researchers also mentioned body contouring as a key part of the fight against obesity. “This suggests the importance of including reconstructive surgery as a component in the multidisciplinary approach in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity,” they wrote.
Body Contouring removes loose skin after weight loss
Bariatric surgery has been shown to produce sustained weight loss in patients with severe obesity. However, more than two-thirds of patients with massive weight loss are left with loose or overhanging skin (because the stretched skin lacks the elasticity to conform to the body’s smaller size). This may lead to decreased satisfaction with the results of bariatric surgery as well as psychological, social and physical problems.
Body contouring, or body sculpting, refers to various plastic surgery procedures performed to reshape the body. By removing excess fat and skin, and shaping and toning the underlying supportive tissues, body contouring is a way to achieve smoother contours and a more attractive body appearance.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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