Study Suggests Body Contouring May Decrease Long-Term BMI

A recent study found that plastic surgery could play a key role in helping bariatric patients control their weight over the long term. As a Sacramento plastic surgeon that often works with post-bariatric patients, Dr. Donald Hause explains the findings of the study here.

The research team looked at a group of patients that had laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) between 1997 and 2007. Some of those patients had body contouring after bariatric surgery, and others did not. During their follow-up with the LAGB patients, the research team made a surprising discovery related to the patients’ Body Mass Index.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a term that is commonly used in bariatric surgery circles. It is a measurement of body fat, calculated using a person’s height and weight. A higher number corresponds with more body mass. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates a person is overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more indicates a person is obese.

The research team found that LAGB patients that had body contouring had a mean BMI of 24.6. Patients that did not have body contouring had a mean BMI of 31.

“This considerable difference may suggest that a LAGB procedure, together with {body contouring}, presents a safer yet effective option for specific high risk patients looking for a long-term massive weight loss,” said Dr. Tali Freidman, a chief investigator of the study.

Dr. Freidman and her co-authors presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons last fall.

Why Body Contouring May Help BMI

If you have lost a significant amount of weight from surgical treatment (or otherwise), you probably have loose, wrinkly skin around your body. Chances are, this loose skin prevents you from enjoying your new shape. You might be prone to skin irritation and infection, and have a hard time fitting into clothing, even though you are much smaller and thinner.

Body contouring surgery is designed to remove this loose skin and refine your body’s contours. It is typically performed after massive weight loss to help “complete” the transformation. It can be a life-changing experience for patients that have lost significant amounts of weight and want to look and feel great.

The study’s results might suggest that LAGB patients who have body contouring are able to see and feel the results of their weight loss on a daily basis, and therefore have greater motivation to maintain healthy weight control habits. This would explain why the body contouring group had a lower mean BMI. On the other hand, patients that do not have body contouring, and are left to struggle with loose skin, may not have the confidence or motivation to eat right and exercise.

More about Body Contouring

There are several types of body contouring procedures, but body lift is popular among Dr. Hause’s post-bariatric patients, as it provides the most comprehensive results in the middle and lower areas of the body.

To begin body lift, Dr. Hause will make an incision on the abdomen, extending around the sides and back. Through the incision, Dr. Hause will excise lax tissue to “lift” the waist, buttock, lateral thigh and abdominal areas. He will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin so it hugs the body’s contours. The surgery will leave some visible scarring, but it will significantly improve the overall shape of the middle and lower body.

Body lift can be complemented by another procedure, such as liposuction or breast lift, depending on the specific need for correction.