Complications and Level of Satisfaction After Dermolipectomy and Abdominoplasty Post-bariatric Surgery

Background Body contouring surgery is in high demand following the increase in bariatric surgery. But these types of procedures are associated with high complication rates that cause long hospital stays and have a negative effect on patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of complications in order to optimize outcomes in these patients and find a relationship between complication rate and satisfaction. Materials and methods Out of a group of 175 post-bariatric patients, 72 patients underwent body contouring surgery following massive weight loss from 2003 to 2008. They were reviewed retrospectively for demographic data, pre- and postoperative weight status, co-morbidities and complications and reoperation rate. Patient satisfaction was evaluated. Results (a) Complications: The overall complication rate was 45.8%. The most frequent were seromas (23.6%); infection (13.9%), bleeding (11.1%), hematoma (6.9%) (needing transfusions [6.9%]), skin necrosis (6.9%) and umbilical necrosis (4.2%). A total of 8 patients required reoperation (11.1%). (b) Satisfaction rating: (1) very satisfied: 51.4%, (2) satisfied: 31.9%, (3) dissatisfied: 8.3%, (4) very dissatisfied: 8.3%. (c) The presence of complications was significantly associated with patients’ satisfaction, reoperation rate and longer hospital stays ( P 001). Conclusions Post operative complications were frequent. No predictors could be found to prevent these complications and optimize patient selection and appropriate timing of surgery. Patients with complications had a significantly higher reoperation rate, longer hospital stay and more dissatisfaction. The patients’ satisfaction was negatively influenced by complication occurrence and not by the esthetic results.