The psychological impact of body contouring surgery

Body contouring surgery is associated with changes in body image and identity. The primary aim of the study was to investigate a multidisciplinary assessment of potential psychological challenges before and after body contouring surgery.

Eight pre- and post-operative patients undergoing plastic surgery, two surgeons and two nurses were investigated using semi-structured and focus group interviews to capture the perspectives of both the healthcare professionals and the patients. Data were analysed using an interpretive descriptive approach and coded line-by-line until all relevant codes had been extracted.

A total of seven psychological themes were identified, indicating that surgery alone cannot improve the patients' psychological difficulties and that psychological care and management of the expected discomfort and body image is of considerable importance in providing continuity of care.

The reported quality of life is of considerable importance to patients undergoing body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. Our findings may pro-vide useful information for surgeons and healthcare professionals allowing them to develop patient education programmes, reduce discrepancies in patient expectations and improve patient satisfaction.

none.

not relevant.