Overweight, obese patients rate tummy tuck results highly

(HealthDay)—Overweight and obese patients are overwhelmingly pleased with the results of tummy tuck procedures, according to a study published in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dennis C. Hammond, M.D., from Partners in Plastic Surgery of West Michigan in Grand Rapids, and colleagues reviewed the medical records of 46 consecutive overweight and obese patients (average body mass index, 32 kg/m²) undergoing abdominoplasty (80 percent) or panniculectomy (20 percent) from January 2004 to December 2016. A patient survey assessed satisfaction, complications, and the recovery process.

The researchers report that the average abdominal resection weight was 4,834.9 g and four patients had major complications, defined as requiring return to the operating room. Minor complications, those that could be handled in an office setting, occurred in 18 patients (39.1 percent). Thirty-six patients (78.3 percent) completed the satisfaction survey, with the overwhelming majority stating that they were satisfied with the final outcome and would choose to have the procedure again.

"Abdominoplasty and panniculectomy in overweight and obese patients are associated with an elevated complication rate, yet patient satisfaction is overwhelmingly high, suggesting the viability of body contouring procedures in this patient population," the authors write.

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