title: Effects of abdominoplasty on female sexuality: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Changes in the pubic region resulting from abdominoplasty may have a psychosexual impact. Thus, it is important to study the influence of physical changes on the sexuality of patients after abdominoplasty.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of the elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris in the vulvar commissure on the sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of women who underwent abdominoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were presented as mean±standard deviation. Nineteen women with a mean age of 35±7 years, mean body mass index of 23±2 kg/m(2) and who expressed a desire to undergo abdominoplasty were selected from consecutive patients attending the abdominal plastic surgery outpatient unit of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical change (measured by the distance between the xiphoid process and vulvar commissure [xipho-vc]), sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction (assessed with the Sexuality Assessment Scale), and body image (measured using the Body Shape Questionnaire [BSQ]) were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after abdominoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction (P=0.0004; z=-3.53) in the xipho-vc distance 6 months after abdominoplasty compared with baseline (mean difference 3.63±2.79 cm), corresponding to an elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris. All patients reported a significant improvement in sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction 6 months after abdominoplasty when compared with baseline (P=0.0001; z=-3.83). BSQ scores indicated an improvement in the patients' concerns about body shape (P=0.0003; z=-3.58).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that physical change and the new position of the clitoris may have a positive impact on sexuality.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil. mjbrito@infinitetrans.com
authors.forename: Maria José Azevedo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: de Brito
authors.forename: Fábio Xerfan
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nahas
authors.forename: Rodolpho Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bussolaro
authors.forename: Lia Mayumi
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shinmyo
authors.forename: Marcus Vinicius Jardini
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*