Beyond the Scalpel: Study Debunks Weight Loss Expectations Post Surgery

Study reports that body contouring after bariatric surgery does not contribute to long-term weight loss in patients with massive weight loss.

Body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery for patients with significant weight loss does not contribute to long-term weight reduction, as per a study in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer ().

"In contrast to previous studies, we found that body contouring procedures do not lead to improved weight loss or weight maintenance after bariatric surgery," comments ASPS Member Surgeon Teresa Benacquista, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y. "Rather, the reported benefits of body contouring appear to be in improving quality of life."

New Look at How Body Contouring Affects Long-Term Weight Loss

Body contouring refers to a range of surgical procedures to remove excess skin in patients with major weight loss, improve the patient's appearance, reduce discomfort, and improve physical function.

Telephone-based Weight Loss Program Helps Breast Cancer Patients Shed Pounds
Breast cancer patients in the obese or overweight category can greatly benefit from a telephone-based weight management program in achieving significant weight loss.

‘Body contouring following bariatric surgery does not lead to sustained weight loss for patients with significant weight reduction. # Weight Loss, #Obese Patients, #Bariatric Surgery, #Obesity ’

Previous studies have suggested that patients who undergo body contouring have more sustained weight loss over time, although some studies have reported conflicting results.

The study included 2,531 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2009 and 2012. Of these, 350 patients underwent body contouring a median of two years later. Another 364 patients consulted with plastic surgeons about body contouring but did not proceed to surgery. The remaining 1,817 patients had neither body contouring nor a consultation.

At follow-up, patients who underwent body contouring did indeed have more sustained weight loss. After one year, the average body mass index (BMI) was about 3 kg/m2 lower in the body contouring group, compared to patients who had bariatric surgery only. By seven years, BMI was 5 kg/m2 lower for patients who underwent body contouring.

Calorie Counting Vs Satiety: What to Focus for Weight Loss
A new study compared the effect of calorie counting vs approaches on satiety/satiation on achieving healthier body fat composition among primary care patients.

However, weight loss was also greater for patients who had a consultation but did not proceed with body contouring. For this group, average BMI was 1.5 kg/m2 lower at one year compared to patients without a consultation, and 2.3 kg/m2 lower after seven years.

Further analysis focused on 259 patients from the consultation group who had sufficient weight loss to be considered candidates for body contouring.

Revamping Weight Loss Solutions Using Anti-Obesity Medication
Recently FDA-approved drug semaglutide has proven as a highly effective anti-obesity medication showcasing remarkable weight loss benefits.

For these patients, the average BMI after seven years was about the same as for patients who underwent body contouring: 31 versus 30 kg/m2, compared to 35 kg/m2 for those with no consultation or body contouring. Analysis by the percentage of excess body weight loss showed a similar pattern.

Differences in Long-Term Weight Loss by Type of Surgery and Race/Ethnicity

Weight loss was also affected by the type of bariatric surgery: patients undergoing a procedure called sleeve gastrectomy had lower sustained weight loss, compared to gastric bypass. Among body contouring patients, the average difference in excess body weight loss was about eight percent at seven years' follow-up.

Black patients had lower sustained weight loss, compared to other racial/ethnic groups. In contrast to previous studies of weight loss after bariatric surgery, most patients in the new analysis identified as Black (about 29%) or Hispanic/Latinx (62%).

The study raises questions about the effects of body contouring on long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery. Noting the similar responses in patients who underwent body contouring versus those with consultation only, Dr. Benacquista and coauthors write, "[T]he impact of body contouring on weight loss is likely minimal, and the difference in weight loss as compared to the 'bariatric only' group is secondary to individual patient factors."

The researchers add: "The apparent benefits of body contouring in massive weight loss patients is likely psychosocial, related to improvements in physical functioning."

Reference:

Analysis of Body Contouring and Sustained Weight Loss in a Diverse, Urban Population: A 7-Year Retrospective Review - (https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2023/06000/Analysis_of_Body_Contouring_and_Sustained_Weight.15.aspx)

Source-Eurekalert