The Influence of Body Contouring Surgery on Weight Control and Comorbidities in Patients After Bariatric Surgery

The financial toxicity of postbariatric body contouring surgery: a survey study of an urban tertiary care center's patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with obesity who undergo bariatric surgery achieve sustained weight loss but are often left with excess skin folds that cause functional and psychological deficits. To remove excess skin, patients can undergo postbariatric BCS; however, cost and lack of insurance coverage present a significant barrier for many patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to characterize the financial impact of treatment on all patients who received bariatric surgery and to compare between those receiving only bariatric surgery and those with postbariatric BCS.

SETTING

Email-based survey study at an urban tertiary care center.

METHODS

Surveys that included the COST-FACIT were sent to patients with a history of bariatric surgery and/or post-bariatric BCS.

RESULTS

One hundred and five respondents completed the survey, of which 19 reported having postbariatric BCS. Patients with postbariatric BCS had slightly higher COST scores than those receiving bariatric surgery only, but this difference was not significant (15.6 versus 17.8, P = .23). Most patients (76%) did not have an awareness of BCS or BCS cost prior to bariatric surgery, and many (68%) had more loose skin than anticipated.

CONCLUSIONS

Financial toxicity was similar across all postbariatric surgery patients surveyed regardless of history of BCS. However, survey respondents noted a gap between patient education and expectations around loose skin and body contouring that can be addressed through improved presurgical counseling.

Comparison of Histological Skin Changes After Massive Weight Loss in Post-bariatric and Non-bariatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Changes in the skin structure, including the collagen and elastin content, have been reported with massive weight loss (MWL) following bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) and have been correlated to a higher risk of complications after body-contouring surgery (BCS). This study aimed at comparing the histological characteristics of the skin of patients having surgical MWL (SMWL) post-BMS to those with non-surgical massive weight loss (NSMWL).

METHODS

This prospective study compared the epidermal thickness, and collagen and elastin fibers content in 80 skin biopsies obtained from BCS procedures performed to patients who experienced MWL defined more than 50% of excess weight loss (%EWL) either SMWL (40 biopsies) or NSMWL (40 biopsies). Twenty biopsies in each group were obtained from abdominoplasties and 20 from breast reductions. Epidermal thickness was measured in H&E-stained sections, collagen fibers were assessed using Masson trichrome-stained sections, and elastin fibers were assessed using Modified Verhoeff's stained sections. Image analysis software was used to calculate the fractions of collagen and elastin fibers.

RESULTS

This study included 77 patients, 38 SMWL patients, and 39 NSMWL patients. The SMWL group had a significantly higher age (p < 0.001), a longer time interval from intervention (p < 0.001), higher initial weight (p < 0.001), higher initial BMI (p < 0.001), lower current weight (p = 0.005), lower current BMI (p < 0.001), and significantly higher %EWL than NSMWL group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected between the two groups regarding complications after abdominoplasty (p = 1.000). The elastic fibers content in the dermis was significantly higher in the abdominal region of the NSMWL group than SMWL (p = 0.029). All other parameters showed non-significant differences between NSMWL and SMWL in the skin of abdomen and breast.

CONCLUSION

The SMWL group had a significant reduction in elastic fiber content in the skin of the abdomen compared to the NSMWL group. The collagen content was equally reduced in both groups with non-significant differences in both breast and abdomen regions in both groups.

Analyzing the Impact of Social and Psychiatric Factors in Patients Who Undergo Body Contouring Procedures

BACKGROUND

As the prevalence of obesity increases, the number of patients seeking body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery for massive weight loss is increasing. Although the positive impact of bariatric surgery on physical and emotional health is well-described, few studies have reported on the psychosocial well-being of patients undergoing body contouring procedures. Psychosocial well-being can impact patient satisfaction and maintenance of weight loss, and is an important area to study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to characterize social and psychiatric factors of patients undergoing body contouring surgery, and to evaluate their impact on maintenance of weight loss.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patients who presented to a single institution for body contouring procedures between 2002 and 2018. Demographic details, medical history, psychosocial support, and operative details were collected. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regressions were performed with R statistical software (version 1.3.1093).

RESULTS

A total of 1187 patients underwent at least 1 body contouring procedure during the study time frame. Mean BMI at presentation was 31.21 ± 10.49 kg/m2. Patients diagnosed with obesity at age 18 or older had significantly greater odds of suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (odds ratio [OR] 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02-1.15], P = .008). Patients with spousal support had 1.93 times higher odds of having maintained postbariatric weight loss at their 6-month follow-up (OR 1.93 [95% CI, 1.84-2.01], P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

Social support and age of obesity diagnosis impact psychological well-being and maintenance of weight loss following body contouring procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

Weight Control following Body Contouring Surgery: Long-Term Assessment of Postbariatric and Nonbariatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Few reports of weight maintenance following body contouring (BC) surgery present weight measurements as percentage weight change, and most of these studies do not isolate BC to specific body areas. This study analyzed weight control in the trunk-based BC population and further compared BC outcomes in postbariatric and nonbariatric patients.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive postbariatric and nonbariatric patients who underwent trunk-based BC (abdominoplasty, panniculectomy, and circumferential lipectomy) from January 1, 2009, through July 31, 2020, at West Virginia University. A minimum 12-month follow-up was required for inclusion. With BC surgery date as the reference point, percentage total weight loss was assessed at 6-month intervals for 2 years following BC and every year thereafter. Change over time was compared between postbariatric and nonbariatric patients.

RESULTS

Within the 12-year timeframe, 121 patients meeting criteria underwent trunk-based BC. Average follow-up from date of BC was 42.9 months. Sixty patients (49.6%) had previously undergone bariatric surgery. From before BC to endpoint follow-up, postbariatric and nonbariatric patients experienced a 4.39% ± 10.93% and 0.25% ± 9.43% increase in weight from baseline, respectively ( P = 0.0273). Once nadir weight loss was attained, weight regain occurred through endpoint follow-up in both groups (11.81% in the postbariatric cohort and 7.56% in the nonbariatric BC cohort; P = 0.0106).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term weight regain is common following trunk-based BC operations-specifically, in postbariatric patients. Although this should not contend with the psychological benefit of removing this excess tissue, it is important to report results with ideal weight metrics to optimally assess outcomes in this population.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, II.

Analysis of Body Contouring and Sustained Weight Loss in a Diverse, Urban Population: A 7-Year Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND

Studies demonstrating the positive impact of body contouring on sustained weight loss in bariatric patients describe a narrow cohort. The authors sought to evaluate the impact of postbariatric body contouring procedures on sustained weight loss in minority race patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of bariatric surgery patients at a single institution was performed. Patients were grouped as follows: (1) those who underwent body contouring, (2) those who had consultation but did not undergo body contouring, and (3) those without consultation. Body mass index (BMI) and excess body weight loss (EBWL) over 7 years were the primary outcomes.

RESULTS A TOTAL OF

2531 patients were analyzed: 350 in group 1, 364 in group 2, and 1817 in group 3. At postoperative year 7, groups 1 and 2 had average BMIs 4.71 and 2.31 kg/m 2 lower than group 3, respectively, while adjusting for covariates. After exclusion of 105 patients in group 2 who were not offered body contouring because of inadequate weight loss, however, group 2 had an average BMI 4.07 kg/m 2 lower than group 3 at postoperative year 7. During postoperative year 1, group 1 had an average EBWL of 74.38%, which declined 1.51% yearly, and group 2 had an average EBWL of 70.12%, which declined 1.86% yearly. After exclusion of the aforementioned patients, group 2 had an average EBWL of 74.9% at postoperative year 1, which declined 1.88% yearly.

CONCLUSIONS

Body contouring after bariatric surgery did not impart a clinically significant, long-term sustained weight loss benefit in the authors' cohort. In the authors' study population, patients identifying as black had significantly worse sustained weight loss.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

A Prospective, Matched Comparison of Health-Related Quality of Life in Bariatric Patients following Truncal Body Contouring

BACKGROUND

Massive weight loss after bariatric surgery can lead to excess skin associated with functional and aesthetic sequelae. Access to the benefit provided by body contouring procedures may be limited by insurance approval, which does not consider health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to quantify the benefit in health-related quality of life for patients who undergo body contouring procedures after massive weight loss.

METHODS

Patients evaluated for postbariatric body contouring procedures were systematically identified and prospectively surveyed using the BODY-Q. Health-related quality-of-life change for each functional scale was compared between those who underwent body contouring procedures (operative group, preoperatively versus postoperatively) and those who did not (nonoperative group, preoperatively versus resurvey) using t tests. Propensity score matching allowed the authors to balance baseline demographics, comorbidities, physical symptoms, and risk factors between cohorts.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven matched patients were analyzed (34 operative versus 23 nonoperative). No significant difference in age, body mass index, time between surveys, or preoperative BODY-Q scores existed between cohorts. The surgical group demonstrated a significant improvement in 10 out of 11 BODY-Q functional scales. The nonoperative group realized no improvements and, in the interim, had a significant deterioration in four BODY-Q scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Postbariatric body contouring procedures represent a critical and final step in the surgical weight loss journey for patients and are associated with significant improvements in health-related quality of life. Further deterioration in psychosocial and sexual health-related quality of life occurs in patients who do not undergo body contouring procedures following bariatric surgery. This study provides prospective comparative data that validate the field's standard intervention and justification for insurance approval.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

"The use of Autologous Flaps in Breast Reshaping After Massive Weight Loss: A Systematic Review"

BACKGROUND

Massive weight loss (MWL) has a positive impact on the comorbidities associated with obesity but leaves patients with ongoing body issues due to skin excess. Almost all patients present some degree of breast ptosis and breast volume deficiency, which can be addressed with different techniques including autologous flaps.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted by using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. Patient's characteristics, type of bariatric surgery, amount of weight loss, flap size and design, simultaneous breast and extra-breast procedures were analyzed. Aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes, postoperative complications, revision rate, and donor site morbidity were also registered.

RESULTS

Twelve articles fulfilled inclusion criteria, and 79 patients were included, for a total of 157 flaps. Different flap designs and flap combinations were described; those originating from lateral chest wall area were the most commonly used. Simultaneous breast procedures were reported in 72 patients. Simultaneous extra-breast body contouring (BC) procedure was performed in 40 cases. The overall complication rate was 9.55% and a total of ten revisionary procedures were performed. Satisfaction of the patients was globally quite high.

CONCLUSIONS

Advantages of the use of autologous tissue in breast reshaping after MWL is the avoidance of implant-related complications and the simultaneous improvement of the silhouette. The complication rate resulted in acceptable, aesthetic, and patient-reported outcomes resulted to be encouraging, even if there was a lack of standardization in the evaluation. A comparative randomized study to confront the use of autologous flaps combined with mastopexy versus the use of implants combined with mastopexy can be useful to confirm the promising results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Sociodemographic characteristics of patients and their use of post-bariatric contouring surgery in the US

BACKGROUND

Expansion of healthcare insurance coverage to bariatric surgeries has led to an increased demand from patients for post-bariatric contouring surgeries. This study examined the relationship between the use of contouring procedures on post-bariatric surgery patients, clinical need and sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS) regarding hospital-owned ambulatory surgical centres in the US. Episodes without missing values relating to patients, 18 years old or above were the primary unit of analysis. Episodes were excluded if the field regarding expected payer was reported as "no charge." The primary outcome was the likelihood of panniculectomy, abdominoplasty, and mastopexy among post-bariatric surgery patients; and the degree to which uptake of these types of contouring surgery were associated with age, gender, median households' income, expected payer, patient's location, and comorbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 66,368 weighted episodes of care received by patients who had had bariatric surgery were extracted (54,684 female [82.4%]; mean age, 51.3 [SD, 12.1]; 6219 episodes had contouring surgeries [9.37%]). Panniculectomy was the most common post-bariatric contouring procedure (3.68%). Uptake of post-bariatric contouring procedures was associated with age, sex, payment type, area-based measures of median household income, and patient location. Compared to Medicare insured patients, the odds of receiving contouring surgery among self-payers were 1.82 (95% CI, 1.47 to 2.26) for panniculectomy, 14.79 (95% CI, 12.19 to 17.93) for abdominoplasty and 47.97 (95% CI, 32.76 to 70.24) for mastopexy. Rank order of comorbidity profiles also differed between insured and self-paying recipients of contouring surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Insurance status of bariatric surgery patients and their sex were strongly associated with receipt of a range of contouring procedures. Self-payments were associated with a doubling of the odds of having panniculectomy and an increase in the odds to approximately 14 times for abdominoplasty and 48 times for mastopexy. Thus, access to contouring surgery by post-bariatric patients may be disproportionately dependent on personal preference supported by ability to pay rather than clinical need. Further research is needed to examine the impact of contouring or delayed/denied contouring on health status.

Body Contouring Surgery Improves Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Our main objective is to evaluate the effect of body contouring surgery (BCS) on the magnitude and durability of weight loss after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus search were conducted from the time of their inception to June 2020. We included comparative studies that assessed weight progression, in terms of Body Mass Index change (∆BMI), Total Body Weight Loss (TBWL%), and Excess Weight Loss (%EWL) for the post-bariatric patient population and the effect of BCS on weight progression.

RESULTS

Eleven articles were included. The pooled sample size was 2307, of which 691 were cases who underwent BCS post-bariatric surgery, and 1616 were comparative controls. The mean follow-up time for cases and controls were 61.6 ± 23.8 months and 52.2 ± 23.8 months, respectively. Nine studies reported results of BMI changes, six provided %EWL, and five used %TBWL. Significant improvement in weight loss was observed in the BCS group when measured by either ∆BMI (3 kg/m2 points decrease, p 0.023), %TBWL (6% increase, P < 0.0001), or %EWL (14% increase, P < 0.0001). Sub-group analysis showed that increased follow-up time was associated with higher TBWL% (p 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The evidence provided in this review strongly supports the added long-term benefits of body contouring surgery for selected patients after massive weight loss following bariatric surgery. Having a multidisciplinary team that involves a bariatric and a plastic surgeon as well as nutritionists and psychologists for the management of patients with obesity going through the bariatric pathway is recommended.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

A systematic review of body contouring surgery in post-bariatric patients to determine its prevalence, effects on quality of life, desire, and barriers

Many post-bariatric patients have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to excess skin following weight loss; however, it is inconclusive whether body contouring surgery (BCS) improves this impairment. We aimed to comprehensively summarize existing evidence of the effect of BCS on the HRQoL (primary outcome) and determine the prevalence of, the desire for, and barriers to BCS (secondary outcomes). Randomized controlled trials, cohort, cross-sectional, case-control, and longitudinal studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central, and Web of Science. After screening 1923 potential records, 24 studies (representing 6867 participants) were deemed eligible. Only 18.5% of respondents from cross-sectional studies underwent BCS, with abdominal BCS as the most common procedure. Most participants desired BCS but listed "cost" and "lacking reimbursement" as the main barriers. Results suggest that most post-bariatric patients who underwent BCS experienced improvements in their HRQoL, which could be seen in almost every dimension evaluated, including body image and physical and psychosocial functions. Therefore, both bariatric and plastic surgeons should regard BCS not only as an aesthetic supplement but also as a vital part of functional recovery in the surgery-mediated weight loss journey and, thus, provide it to more post-bariatric patients.

Long-Term Weight Loss with Body Contour Surgery After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is accepted as an evidence-based treatment for morbid obesity. Many patients seek out body contour surgery afterwards to correct acquired deformities. This study seeks to better define the impact of body contour surgery on long-term weight loss.

METHODS

This study is a single-center retrospective review of 78 patients who underwent body contouring surgery post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass compared with 221 matched control patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass only. Data was collected for patients at least 7 years post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent both bariatric surgery and body contour surgery maintained mean long-term weight loss of 58 kg. The matched control group mean weight loss over the same time interval was 42 kg. The difference was statistically and clinically significant (p = 0.005). Change in body mass index, percent total weight loss, and percent excess body mass index loss were all statistically significant between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent body contour surgery better maintained long-term weight reduction in comparison to those who only had gastric bypass. Further understanding of the etiology of this association is important for patients contemplating body contouring surgery.

Experience of Excess Skin and Attitude to Body Contouring Surgery of a Chinese Post-Bariatric Population

INTRODUCTION

Western studies have explored post-bariatric patients concerning their views on excess skin and body contouring surgery (BCS), but Asian data were lacking. This study aims to investigate the experience of excess skin and attitude to BCS of a Chinese post-bariatric population.

METHODS

A total of 210 Chinese patients who underwent bariatric surgery from March 2015 to September 2018 were cross-sectional studied using the Sahlgrenska Excess Skin Questionnaire and a study-specific questionnaire.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 61.4%. Most responders (78.2%) reported they had excess skin, and the most common sites were the abdomen (70.2%) and the upper arms (61.3%). Most responders (66.1%) reported being bothered by impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the most common problem was "the feeling of having unattractive body appearance" (42.7%). Many patients (37.9%) desired for BCS, and "the impact of excess skin is not serious enough" was the reason why not undergoing BCS being chosen most (28.1%), then "the cost is too high" (20.2%) and "worrying about the risk or complications of BCS" (18.4%). Younger age, female gender, higher weight loss, having full-time job, and earning higher income were independent factors increasing their desires for BCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Most Chinese post-bariatric patients have excess skin and are bothered by impaired HRQoL. The abdomen and upper arms are the sites where patients are most seriously affected and most eager for BCS. The conservative attitude toward BCS and the cost without reimbursement are the main barriers.

The Impact of Post-bariatric Abdominoplasty on Secondary Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), implies a considerable weight loss during the first two years after surgery. Excess skin due to rapid weight loss might affect self-esteem, decrease quality of life and be a hindrance to physical activity. Removing excess skin might reduce secondary weight regain. Among plastic surgeons, a BMI <30 kg/m² is usually required to have abdominoplasty (AP). Many RYGB patients never reach this threshold even if they have a considerable weight loss and experience practical as well as emotional problems due to excess skin. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of abominoplasty on weight development until five years, among patients who did and did not achieve a nadir BMI <30 kg/m² during the first two years after RYGB. Data on 645 patients from a single center RYGB-quality register from 2004 to 2013 with baseline and follow-up data were analyzed. Post-bariatric AP was publicly funded if medically needed. Weight regain (WR) from nadir weight to five years was analyzed as percentage WR of maximal weight loss. Nadir BMI was available in 633 (98.1%) patients, and BMI after five years in 553 (85.7%) patients. The 233 patients with nadir BMI <30 kg/m² who underwent AP regained 17.8 (±16.1) % of their maximal weight loss at five years compared to 24.2 (±19.7) % in 185 patients not having AP (p < 0.001). The 27 patients with nadir BMI > 30 kg/m² within two years after RYGB who underwent AP regained 12.9 (±19.3) % compared to 31.4 (±24.7) % in 188 patients without AP (p < 0.001). This procedure was more common among women than men, as 224 (46.4%) women, and 36 (22.2%) men underwent AP. Abdominoplasty was associated with reduced secondary weight regain after RYGB in this study. Whether this is caused by increased bodily satisfaction and better physical function, or a biological response to reduction of adipose tissue remains unclear. If removing abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue prevent secondary weight regain and increase the robustness of bariatric surgery, this should be offered as part of the standard treatment after bariatric surgery.