If you have had a baby, or major weight loss (naturally or with a bypass), your body changes. Many patients seek body contouring surgeries- liposuction, tummy tucks, body lifts- to improve this. These doctors out of Chile looked to see if body contouring surgery actually improves the quality of life, and if that changes over time.
This was in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, March 2018. “Long Term Quality of Life Outcomes After Body Contouring Surgery: Phase IV Results for the Body-QoL Cohort.” In it, they measured patients at 3 time points: Before surgery, At 9 months after, and at 3 years after.
Study:
- 112 patients. (84 long term follow up)
- Quality of life scores looked at main domains:
- body satisfaction
- sex life
- self esteem
- social performance
- and physical symptoms
- They analyzed the whole cohort, and then the cosmetic and major weight loss separately.
Findings?
- Presurgery scores averaged 44, Post surgery scores were 85 at the first measurement and 84 at the second measurement.
- Separate domain scores were consistent in improvement
- Major weight loss patients started with lower presurgery scores than cosmetic patients
- The major weight loss patients ended up with post surgery scores similar to cosmetic patients, so they improved more.
- The improvement stays stable over time.
My thoughts?
For major weight loss patients, this supports other studies which show patients are happier and they keep the weight off better. (for more details, see my blogs here). I love this study puts a number on how much improvement they felt- a score of 44 to 85 is a big improvement. It is also interesting and understandable major weight loss patients start with lower values of how they feel about themselves. I meet many patients who have lost 50-100 pounds who can’t “see” the improvement- they still feel fat and still wear their clothing from before the weight loss. Some of this is due to loose skin, and some is due to their psyche.
The improvement in the cosmetic patients was also great to see. I do a lot of mommy makeovers, with abdominoplasties and liposuction. Babies can do a number on a woman’s body, and these surgeries really help reconstruct the area. Abdominoplasties realign the muscles which are frequently separated (what we call diastasis). This helps your core, keeps your belly flat, and helps give you back some curve and shape at the waistline. If you look on realself, you will see abdominplasties have a 96% “worth it.”