Experience in Post-Bariatric Abdominoplasty for Patients with Significant Weight Loss: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Abdominoplasty is a critical aesthetic and functional procedure for individuals who have undergone massive weight loss. Numerous techniques have been proposed to optimize aesthetic results while minimizing complications. Methods: This prospective study examined 500 patients who underwent abdominoplasty during body-contouring procedures between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021 at a tertiary center. The Skin–Adipose Tissue–Muscle (SAM) protocol was employed to analyze the operative strategies and complication rates and compare them with the existing literature. Furthermore, patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes were measured one year post-operation using a comprehensive four-point questionnaire evaluated by the patients themselves and two independent surgeons. Results: Participants had an average age of 34.8 years and a mean BMI of 31.1 kg/m2. The surgeries included 328 full abdominoplasties and 172 T-inverted abdominoplasties. Notable complications included wound infection (4%), wound dehiscence (8.6%), tissue necrosis (0.6%), seroma (8.4%), and hematoma (2.6%). A higher BMI was correlated with an increased risk of complications and lower patient satisfaction. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 18 software. Conclusions: The increasing prevalence of obesity highlights an urgent need for more bariatric surgeries and subsequent abdominoplasties to mitigate the effects of massive weight loss. A crucial link between elevated BMI and a heightened risk of postoperative complications, emphasizing the necessity for standardized surgical protocols tailored to individuals with higher BMI, was noted. Innovatively, future studies must further investigate the intricate dynamics between BMI and surgical risks. Exploring and establishing uniform, adaptive surgical guidelines promise to revolutionize patient care by significantly reducing complications and enhancing recovery and satisfaction following abdominoplasty.