The BAPRAS screening tool for reimbursement in a postbariatric population.
V M Monpellier1, C E E de Vries2, I M C Janssen3
1Nederlandse Obesitas Kliniek, Huis ter Heide, the Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
Summary
A modified screening tool helps identify postbariatric patients eligible for body-contouring surgery reimbursement. Patients with significant weight loss and more skin-related complaints qualified, indicating the tool
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
- Health Economics
Background:
- Reimbursement for body-contouring surgery (BCS) after bariatric procedures lacks objective criteria.
- The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) developed a screening tool to address this gap.
- This study evaluates a modified BAPRAS screening tool for identifying eligible postbariatric patients for BCS reimbursement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of a modified BAPRAS screening tool in a postbariatric population.
- To determine which patients would qualify for BCS reimbursement based on the modified tool's criteria.
- To correlate screening tool scores with patient-reported outcomes using the BODY-Q.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving postbariatric patients who completed an online questionnaire based on the modified BAPRAS screening tool.
- Inclusion of questions on excess skin complaints and medical history.
- Extraction of weight loss data from a prospective database and administration of the BODY-Q for patient-reported outcomes.
Main Results:
- Patients desiring BCS (n=90) exhibited higher screening tool scores and lower BODY-Q scores than those not seeking BCS (n=24).
- Twenty-six percent (25/90) of patients qualified for reimbursement, characterized by greater weight loss (33.5% vs 29.2%), lower BMI (27.3 vs 30.4 kg/m²), and more medical/psychological complaints.
- A significant negative correlation was observed between screening tool scores and most BODY-Q scales, indicating poorer well-being with higher scores.
Conclusions:
- Patients seeking BCS report significant excess skin issues impacting well-being.
- The modified BAPRAS screening tool effectively identifies patients with substantial weight loss and significant medical/psychological complaints related to excess skin.
- This tool aids in referral and reimbursement decisions for body-contouring surgery in the postbariatric population.
