title: Abdominoplasty after major weight loss: improvement of quality of life and psychological status.
abstract: Abdominoplasty provides a reconstructive but rarely aesthetic cosmetic solution after major weight loss. Few articles document quality of life (QOL) issues and the psychological impact of abdominoplasty on obese patients. We report a retrospective study of 41 abdominoplasties performed after an average weight loss of 40.2 kg. Data were obtained through review of patient medical files, double-blind surgical and psychological examinations, and two specifically designated questionnaires used to assess pre-abdominoplasty body perception and QOL, post-body contouring perception of improvement, and psychological status. To date, 14 patients have regained >10 kg; 84.6% have improved QOL; 86.5% have improved psychological status; 74% have better sexual relations; 53.9% admit liking their body; 76.9% are satisfied with the results of abdominoplasty; and 96.1% would be willing to undergo abdominoplasty again. Anterior dermolipectomy improves both QOL and psychological status. Provision of patient education, multidisciplinary management, and long-term follow up are necessary to obtain satisfactory results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, 1 rue de Germont, 76000, Rouen, France. lazarcalin@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Calin Constantin
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Clerc
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deneuve
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Auquit-Auckbur
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Milliez
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult