The association of metabolic and bariatric surgery and postabdominoplasty complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies reported that the rate of complications after abdominoplasty is higher in patients with a history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). The current study aims to compare the rate of complications after abdominoplasty in patients with and without a history of MBS and their risk factors in patients with a history of MBS. A systematic search was conducted to identify observational studies that compare postoperative complication rates after abdominoplasty in patients with and without a history of MBS up to 15 April 2025. Pooled odds ratios were computed to compare complication rates between groups, and additional analyses evaluated complication rates and risk factors among MBS. A total of 26 retrospective studies and one prospective study, involving 6328 patients with a history of MBS, were included in the current study. There were no significant differences in the rate of wound dehiscence, surgical site infection, skin necrosis, fat necrosis, deep venous thrombosis, and reoperation after abdominoplasty in patients with and without a history of MBS. In meta-regression analysis, lower body mass index at the time of abdominoplasty is associated with a higher risk of wound dehiscence. Although body contouring surgery after MBS was associated with a higher risk of seroma and hematoma compared to non-MBS cases, the rate of other complications was not significantly different.