Background: Incidence of body contouring surgeries (BCS) rose significantly to overcome problems resulted from post-Bariatric Surgery (BS). We aimed to evaluate satisfaction level and quality of life (QOL) in patients' post-BCS.
Methods: In this retrospective prospective study, patients who underwent BCS in Plastic Surgery Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, in 2017-2018, were enrolled. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. BS-group's QOL and satisfaction level were assessed using a questionnaire.
Results: Of 929 plastic surgery admissions, 316 (34%) were for BCS (249 patients). Fifty-eight (28%) patients underwent 82 BS were recruited, mostly females (n=42, 72.4%). The mean age was 37.4±9.6 years. Excess abdominal skin was the most area of concern (n=50, 86.2%). Median pre-BCS body mass index was 26.9 (interquartile range: 25.6-29.8) kg/m2. Most patients were overweight (n=26, 44.8%). Abdominoplasty was the commonest BCS (n=172, 50.6%). This was also the case in 82 BCS in post-BS group (n=38, 46.3%). In post-BS group, post-operative complications were noted in 25/82 (30.5%) patients with wound problems being the most frequent (n=14, 17.1%). Most patients rated their experience as better in all questionnaire domains and most (n=45, 54.9%) rated their satisfaction level as excellent. Older age gave better overall satisfaction (P<0.001) while employed patients had better overall QOL (P=0.012) and self-confidence (P=0.048). Females had better satisfaction with body appearance (P<0.001) while those underwent abdominoplasty or breast surgeries had lower physical activity (P=0.042).
Conclusion: This study showed improvement in patient's QOL post-BCS with excellent overall satisfaction, findings that could be affected by age, sex, and occupation.
Keywords: Bahrain; Bariatric surgery; Body Contouring; Plastic Surgery.