Post-bariatric surgery satisfaction and body-contouring consideration after massive weight loss

Following a bariatric surgery and massive weight-loss, the outcome is usually sullied by consequences on the body's contour and redundant skin.

We aimed to record the frequency of contour irregularities and quantify patients' satisfaction with appearance and anticipations from body contouring surgery.

The ethical committee at King Abdulaziz University Hospital approved the study, and patients were consented. A cross-sectional study targeting the post-bariatric patients from May 2011 to April 2012 was conducted at our hospital. We used post-massive weight loss Satisfaction Questionnaire.

The total numbers of patients were 64 (51 women and 13 men), of which 57 patients (89.2%) developed sagging skin. Most patients were dissatisfied with their appearance after weight loss. The most common zones were the upper arms (50%) and abdomen (45%). Considerably more women (36.2%) than men (24%) were dissatisfied with certain body areas. The most noticeable expectation of patients from body contouring surgery was improved cosmetic appearance (65.6%) and self-confidence (64.1%). More women (70.58%) than men (46.15%) expected a better cosmetic appearance after body contouring (P = 0.003).

After bariatric surgery, sagging excess skin is an unsatisfactory problem. Therefore, body contouring surgery must be included in morbid obesity management.