Sociodemographic profile and satisfaction with treatment of patients undergoing liposuction in tumescent local anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess patient satisfaction with liposuction in tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) and to define a patient profile regarding sociodemographic data.


METHODS
Three hundred randomly selected patients were asked by mail to complete a standardized questionnaire on aesthetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery 3-25 months after liposuction. The 64 items addressed treatment satisfaction, treatment effects on body, social, and professional life as well as self-confidence, body feeling, and social contacts.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty-nine (53.0%) of 300 patients returned complete questionnaires. Ninety-two percent of the patients were female and the mean age was 45.3 +/- 11.8 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.5 +/- 3.7, and 61.7% of the patients had a normal BMI. Satisfaction with the liposuction was high (about 85% mostly or completely satisfied). The procedure was regarded by most patients as a nonstressful event (>80%). About 40% reported positive effects on social life, about 91% on body feeling, 57% on attractiveness, and 20% on their profession.


CONCLUSIONS
Liposuction in TLA is a satisfying and well-tolerated treatment for most patients.
Augustin
M
M
Department of Dermatology, University Clinics of Freiburg, Germany. augustin@haut.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Zschocke
I
I
Sommer
B
B
Sattler
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors