Comment on: Experience of excess skin after gastric bypass or duodenal switch in patients with super obesity

Factors Associated with Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Mixed-Method Study

PURPOSE

After metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), many patients have excess skin (ES), which can cause inconveniences. Identifying factors related to ES quantity and inconveniences is crucial to inform interventions. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with ES quantity and inconveniences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted with 124 adults (92% women, Mage 46.5 ± 9.9 years, Mtime post-MBS 34.2 ± 27.6 months). During phase I, ES quantity (arms, abdomen, thighs) and inconveniences and sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and behavioral outcomes were assessed. In phase II, 7 focus groups were performed with 37 participants from phase I. A triangulation protocol was completed to identify convergences, complementarities, and dissonances from quantitative and qualitative data.

RESULTS

Quantitative data indicate only ES quantity on arms was associated with ES inconveniences on arms (r = .36, p < .01). Total ES quantity was associated with maximal body mass index (BMI) reached pre-MBS (r = .48, p < .05) and current BMI (r = .35, p < .05). Greater ES inconvenience was associated with higher social physique anxiety and age (R2 = .50, p < .01). Qualitative data were summarized into 4 themes: psychosocial experiences living with ES, physical ailments due to ES, essential support and unmet needs, and beliefs of ES quantity causes.

CONCLUSION

Measured ES quantity is related to higher BMI, but not reported inconveniences. Greater self-reported ES quantity and inconveniences were associated with body image concerns.

SESQ, a patient-reported outcome instrument addressing excess skin; report on the updated version and the validation process

Excess skin after weight loss is perceived as a major problem for the majority of the bariatric patients, between 68 and 90% desire additional reconstructive surgery. However, only about 20% of the patients actually have the possibility to undergo these procedures. Reliable and valid patient-reported outcome instruments, PROM, are required in order to consider the patients' perspective of excess skin when discussing reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study was to present the updated version of Sahlgrenska Excess Skin Questionnaire, SESQ and to report on the validation process. The material for the process to evaluate internal consistency and known group validity was based on four different studies conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. Internal consistency was high in all four groups examined; the normal population, the obese patients, the post-bariatric patients and the post-abdominoplasty patients. Values for Cronbach's alpha were >0.86 in all groups, and the highest value was seen in the obese patients (0.92). Furthermore, regarding known group validity, there were strong significant differences between the answers from the normal population in comparison with most of the other studies. In conclusion, patients thought that the questions in SESQ were easy to understand, that they covered all appropriate aspects of excess skin and the patients did not think that SESQ overlooked any questions or aspects concerning excess skin. SESQ is a valid questionnaire addressing excess skin in post-bariatric patients. The updated version of the SESQ is both accurate and user-friendly.

Physical activity with hindrances: a qualitative study of post bariatric patients' experiences of physical activity in relation to excess skin

A common side effect after massive weight loss is excess skin. Knowledge about the experience of excess skin in relation to physical activity is limited. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how post bariatric surgery patients experience physical activity in relation to excess skin. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were performed with individuals who experienced excess skin after massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. The interviews were transcribed, and data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. An overall theme emerged, that the body was still a hindrance for physical activity but now because of excess skin. There were major changes in the participants' ability to be active after the weight loss, but there were still obstacles and some of them remained from the time when they were obese. The analysis resulted in three main categories containing the participants' knowledge about, changes in and wishes for physical activity after weight loss, factors that affected the ability and the role of mental processes. The result contributes to increased knowledge about post bariatric patients' experiences of excess skin in relation to physical activity. After weight loss, the body was still a hindrance for physical activity but now because of excess skin. As physical activity is important for general health, excess skin inhibiting physical activity ought to be an indicator for reconstructive surgery.

Physical measurements and patients’ perception of excess skin on arms and thighs before and after bariatric surgery

Background

Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss method for patients with obesity. One side effect of bariatric surgery is uncomfortable excess skin. Much remains to be learned about physical measurements and patients’ subjective perceptions of it. Here, we investigated the pre- to post-bariatric changes in patients’ perception and physical measurements of the skin on the arms and thighs, in order to find possible subgroups especially affected by post-operative excess skin and to identify predicting factors.

Methods

One hundred forty-seven patients eligible for bariatric surgery completed the Sahlgrenska Excess Skin Questionnaire (SESQ) and underwent measurements of their skin before and 18 months after the procedure.

Results

Although most physical measurements decreased post-operatively, many patients reported increased discomfort. We identified one subgroup particularly prone to report excess skin on the arms post-operatively: women with high discomfort from excess skin on the arms and high body mass index (BMI), pre-operatively. Ptosis of the excess skin seems to be a feasible measurement for predicting post-operative discomfort. For every centimetre of ptosis pre-operatively, patients had 1.37- and 1.31-fold higher odds of achieving a score for post-operative discomfort from excess skin on the upper arms and thighs, respectively, of ≥ 6 (on a 0–10 scale).

Conclusions

We identified a subgroup especially affected by discomforting excess skin on arms and thighs after weight loss. Furthermore, we suggest a pre-operative pro-operative ptosis measuring to predict post-operative discomfort level. The result of this study further increases the knowledge of excess skin and should be useful in further improving patient education.

Level of Evidence: Level III, risk / prognostic study.

The PRS Rainbow Classification for Assessing Postbariatric Contour Deformities

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

There is a need for a reliable classification system to grade contour deformities and to inform reimbursement of body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. We developed the PRS Rainbow Classification, which uses select photographs to provide standardized references for evaluating patient photographs, to classify contour deformities in postbariatric patients. To assess the reliability of the PRS Rainbow Classification to classify contour deformities in massive weight loss patients.

Methods:

Ten independent experienced plastic surgeons, 7 experienced medical advisors of the healthcare insurance company, and 10 laypersons evaluated 50 photographs per anatomical region (arms, breast, abdomen, and medial thighs). Each participant rated the patient photographs on a scale of 1–3 in an online survey. The inter-observer and the intra-observer reliabilities were determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). The ICC analyses were performed for each anatomical region.

Results:

Inter-observer reliability was moderate to good in the body regions “arms,” “abdomen,” “medial thighs,” with mean ICC values of 0.678 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.591–0.768], 0.685 (95% CI, 0.599–0.773), and 0.658 (95% CI, 0.569–0.751), respectively. Inter-observer reliability was comparable within the 3 different professional groups. Intra-observer reliability (test–retest reliability) was moderate to good, with a mean overall ICC value of 0.723 (95% CI, 0.572–0.874) for all groups and all 4 body regions.

Conclusions:

The moderate to good reliability found in this study validates the use of the PRS Rainbow Classification as a reproducible and reliable classification system to assess contour deformities after massive weight loss. It holds promise as a key part of instruments to classify body contour deformities and to assess reimbursement of body contouring surgery.

Ongoing Inconsistencies in Weight Loss Reporting Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review

Weight loss is the primary outcome following bariatric surgery; however, its documentation within current literature is heterogeneous and poorly defined, limiting meaningful comparison between studies. Randomized controlled trials from 2012 to 2016 were identified using the Medline database through "Gastric bypass OR sleeve gastrectomy AND weight" search terms. A total of 73 studies with 5948 patients were included. Reporting of preoperative weight was done primarily using mean body mass index (BMI) (87.7%) and mean weight (65.8%). Postoperative weight reporting was more variable, with the most frequently reported measure being mean postoperative BMI (71.2%). Overall, nearly one third of all bariatric literature contained discrepancies that precluded meaningful meta-analysis. Reporting of weight loss following bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly diverse for both pre- and post-operative outcomes. Ongoing heterogeneity will continue to act as a barrier to meaningful comparison of bariatric outcomes until standardized reporting practices become adopted.

Review of Insurance Coverage for Abdominal Contouring Procedures in the Postbariatric Population

BACKGROUND

Following bariatric surgery, patients develop problems related to lax abdominal skin that may be addressed by contouring procedures. Third-party insurers have subjective requirements for coverage of these procedures that can limit patient access. The authors sought to determine how well third-party payers cover abdominal contouring procedures in this population.

METHODS

The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of insurance policies for coverage of panniculectomy, lower back excision, and circumferential lipectomy. Abdominoplasty was evaluated as an alternative to panniculectomy. Insurance companies were selected based on their market share and state enrolment. A list of medical necessity criteria was abstracted from the policies that offered coverage.

RESULTS

Of the 55 companies evaluated, 98 percent had a policy that covered panniculectomy versus 36 percent who would cover lower back excision (p < 0.0001), and one-third provided coverage for circumferential lipectomy. Of the insurers who covered panniculectomy, only 30 percent would also cover abdominoplasty. Documentation of secondary skin conditions was the most prevalent criterion in panniculectomy policies (100 percent), whereas impaired function and secondary skin conditions were most common for coverage of lower back excision (73 percent and 73 percent, respectively). Frequency of criteria for panniculectomy versus lower back excision differed most notably for (1) secondary skin conditions (100 percent versus 73 percent; p = 0.0030), (2) weight loss (45 percent versus 7 percent; p = 0.0106), and (3) duration of weight stability (82 percent versus 53 percent; p = 0.0415).

CONCLUSIONS

For the postbariatric population, panniculectomy was covered more often and had more standardized criteria than lower back excision or circumferential lipectomy. However, all have vast intracompany and interpolicy variations in coverage criteria that may reduce access to procedures, even among patients with established indications.

Aspects of excess skin in obesity, after weight loss, after body contouring surgery and in a reference population

BACKGROUND

Excess skin is well known after massive weight loss but, there is missing knowledge from various groups.

OBJECTIVES

To describe and compare excess skin in a reference population during obesity, after obesity surgery, and after reconstructive abdominoplasty.

SETTING

University hospital, Sweden.

METHODS

The following 6 groups were included: the reference population, obese adults before obesity surgery, obese adults after obesity surgery, adolescents after obesity surgery, super-obese adults after obesity surgery, and adults after abdominoplasty. All groups filled in the Sahlgrenska Excess Skin Questionnaire (SESQ). Some groups also underwent measurements of ptosis/excess skin on 4 body parts.

RESULTS

All groups scored significantly higher experience of and discomfort from excess skin compared with the reference population. SESQ scores were significantly higher for obese adults (10.5 ± 8.5) and even higher for adults and adolescents (12.3 ± 8.1 versus 14.4 ± 7.7) after obesity surgery compared with the reference population (1.5 ± 3.5). Abdominoplasty resulted in significantly reduced scores (2.9 ± 5.2). Those undergoing obesity surgery and weight loss had significantly less excess skin measured on arms, breasts, and abdomen compared with before surgery, except for the upper arms on the adolescents. Excess skin increased on inner thighs in both age groups after weight loss. Correlations between objectively measured ptosis/excess skin and the patients' experience of and discomfort were .16 to .71, and the highest correlations were found among adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Excess skin is not a problem for the vast majority of the normal population but is linked to obesity and massive weight loss. The SESQ score illustrates major problems related to excess skin both for obese adults and after obesity surgery for adults and for adolescents, who have problems similar to or worse than adults. Abdominoplasty markedly decreases symptoms.

What Is Known About the Correlates and Impact of Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Scoping Review

Although bariatric surgery (BS) improves health among adults with severe obesity, it results in excess skin in more than 70% of adults. The purpose of this study was to synthesize current knowledge on (1) the impact of excess skin experienced by adults after BS and (2) the correlates of excess skin quantity and inconveniences. PubMed, PsyArticles, and CINAHL databases were searched in May 2016 for relevant studies. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of studies retrieved were screened independently by two reviewers against inclusion criteria: (1) peer-reviewed primary research studies, (2) samples with adults who underwent BS, and (3) studies reporting the impact of excess skin and/or excess skin correlates. Thirteen quantitative and eleven qualitative studies met inclusion criteria. Negative physical, psychosocial, and daily life impacts of excess skin were reported in 67, 75, and 83% of studies, respectively. Women reported more excess skin and greater inconveniences of excess skin than did men. Based on the quantitative studies, pre-BS BMI, time since BS, and type of BS were not significantly associated with inconveniences of excess skin; findings were inconclusive for other correlates found (e.g. age, weight loss, BMI). Excess skin may adversely impact adults' physical and psychosocial functioning, as well as their activities of daily life after BS. However, evidence is lacking to determine which adults may be at heightened risk of developing or being negatively impacted by excess skin. More research on correlates of excess skill is needed to inform the development of tailored interventions in those more vulnerable to developing excess skin after BS to mitigate adverse consequences.