Body image and quality of life in post massive weight loss body contouring patients.
OBJECTIVE
Because post-bariatric surgery patients undergo massive weight loss, the resulting skin excess can lead to both functional problems and profound dissatisfaction with appearance. Correcting skin excess could improve all these corollaries, including body image. Presently, few data are available documenting body image and weight-related quality of life in this population.


METHODS
Eighteen patients who underwent both bariatric surgery and body contouring completed our study. Both established surveys and new surveys designed specifically for the study were used to assess body perception and ideals, quality of life, and mood. Patients were surveyed at the following time-points: pre-body contouring (after massive weight loss) and both 3 and 6 month post-body contouring. Statistical testing was performed using Student's t test and ANOVA.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 46 +/- 10 years (standard deviation). Quality of life improved after obesity surgery and was significantly enhanced after body contouring. Three months after body contouring, subjects ascribed thinner silhouettes to both current appearance and ideal body image. Body image also improved with body contouring surgery. Mood remained stable over 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Body contouring after surgical weight loss improved both quality-of-life measurements and body image. Initial body dissatisfaction did not correlate with mood. Body contouring improved body image but produced dissatisfaction with other parts of the body, suggesting that as patients become closer to their ideal, these ideals may shift. We further developed several new assessment methods that may prove useful in understanding these post-surgical weight loss patients.
Song
Angela Y
AY
Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Rubin
J Peter
JP
Thomas
Veena
V
Dudas
Jason R
JR
Marra
Kacey G
KG
Fernstrom
Madelyn H
MH
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology