Impact of Abdominoplasty on the Quality of Life Among Postbariatric Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND

Postbariatric surgery weight loss has significant impact on physical, functional, and psychosocial components, which may negatively affect quality of life (QoL). Abdominoplasty is one of the promising procedures that may lead to positive impacts on overall QoL.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective cohort study of 100 post bariatric surgery patients, aged 27-59 years with a body mass index of up to 30 kg/m2, were selected. QoL was evaluated using a modified version of the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite questionnaire, adapted to a "satisfied" or "unsatisfied" response format. Assessments were performed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively by an independent staff member. The questionnaire covered 7 domains: general health, social relations, mobility, self-esteem, dietary comfort, sexual life, and work performance. The McNemar test was applied to analyze changes in satisfaction levels across these dimensions.

RESULTS

Preoperative dissatisfaction was prevalent, with only 24% of patients satisfied with general health, 32% with social relations, 26% with mobility, 11% with self-esteem, 42% with sexual life, and 45% with work performance. One-year postabdominoplasty, significant improvements emerged and satisfaction rate rose to 83% for general health, 90% for social relations, 88% for mobility, 84% for self-esteem, 92% for sexual life, and 93% for work performance (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominoplasty markedly improved QoL in post bariatric surgery patients across all assessed domains, extending beyond cosmetic benefits to enhance physical health, psychological resilience, and social integration.