Study Reveals that Body Contouring Can Help Maintain Weight after Bariatric Surgery A recent study reveals that individuals who opt to have body contouring treatment post bariatric surgery can maintain their weight loss for a longer time. It is generally believed that improved body image can promote better long-term maintenance of a healthier weight and improve quality of life. Bariatric surgery or gastric bypass surgery helps obese people shed weight by making changes to the digestive system. Different types of procedures are performed to limit the amount of food the stomach can hold by removing of a portion of the stomach or contracting it with a gastric band. The weight loss results achieved through such options can be significant, with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, the benefits of the treatment may be limited if patients do not maintain the results. The researchers showed that those who had a body contouring procedcvure after the gastric bypass surgery maintained weight loss better in the long term. Body sculpting procedures such as laser liposuction remove localized deposits of fat and skin which remain after bariatric surgery. With an improved body contour, patients would be more encouraged to maintain the results.
To prove their point, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons of the Henry Ford Health System who conducted the study assessed 94 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2003 through 2013. The highlights of the research are as follows
47 of the 94 patients subsequently had body re-contouring procedures
The procedures they underwent include facelift, breast lift, tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift and butt lift
To determine the degree of obesity, each patient's Body Mass Index was recorded before their bariatric surgery and 2.5 years after the procedure
After 2.5 years, the average decrease in BMI was 18.24 for those who underwent body contouring surgery and 12.45 for those who did not
These results clearly suggest that aesthetic procedures following bariatric surgery may contribute to improving the long-term outcome with better weight management. A similar study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2013 also noted weight loss improvement when gastric bypass surgery was followed by procedures to contour the body. These researchers suggested that body contouring should be considered an essential part of successful bariatric surgery and also be covered by insurance as it improves patient health.
Contact Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery Sean Boutros, M.D 6400 Fannin, Suite 2290 Houston, TX 77030 713-791-0700