Recent COVID-19 Infection Increases Complication Risk After Body-Contouring Surgery

Although COVID-19 infection rates have declined from pandemic peaks, recent infection may pose a potential concern in aesthetic surgery. Of note, the surgical risks associated with recent infection are not well defined. Previous studies, constrained by small cohorts and early-pandemic data, have not conclusively established whether recent COVID-19 infection continues to influence surgical outcomes.

The authors sought to determine whether COVID-19 infection within 30 days before body-contouring procedures is associated with increased postoperative complications.

Adult patients who underwent body-contouring surgery between August 2020 and March 2025 were identified from the US Collaborative Network on TriNetX (TRINETX, LLC, Cambridge, MA). Patients were categorized based on documented COVID-19 infection within 30 days preoperatively. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to balance demographics and comorbidities. Thirty-day postoperative complications were compared using risk ratios (RRs), with statistical significance defined as P < .05.

A total of 3941 patients were matched in each of the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. Patients in the matched COVID-19 group had a significantly increased risk of surgical-site infection (RR 1.56, P = .010), wound disruption (RR 1.69, P = .003), postoperative pain (RR 1.66, P = .002), anticoagulant use (RR 1.77, P < .0001), and emergency department visits (RR 1.50, P = .010).

Despite reduced overall prevalence, recent COVID-19 infection remains associated with increased risk of postoperative complications following body-contouring surgery. Delaying elective aesthetic procedures by at least 30 days following recent infection appears prudent to enhance patient safety and minimize complications.