Knowledge is power: Providing previsit insurance coverage information of body contouring procedures to improve understanding and satisfaction in the massive weight loss patient.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the prevalence of obesity worldwide, the rates of bariatric surgery are increasing. Bariatric surgery is covered by insurance; however, often, a surgery to correct massive weight loss surgeries is not covered despite patient perception. METHODS: One hundred patients were identified by their initial visit to the institutional Life After Weight Loss center. Fifty of them were randomized into receiving previsit educational materials about their individual insurance plans. All the patients were surveyed to assess whether this education improved their understanding and overall consultation experience. RESULTS: Although a majority of patients believed "panniculectomy" would be covered by insurance, most subjects overestimated insurance coverage for other procedures. Nearly all respondents (93.8%) agreed that previsit educational material improved their understanding and the satisfaction of the visit. CONCLUSION: Many patients believe body contouring procedures to be covered by insurance, although most are not. By providing patients with their individualized insurance plans, patients report improved understanding and overall satisfaction with the consultation.

French translation and linguistic validation of a new Patient Reported Outcome instrument: the BODY-Q: A description of the process.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery or reconstructive body contouring surgery performed after weight loss, has the potential to have a major impact one's body image, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental wellbeing. Many researches show interest in measuring this impact using generic instruments that unfortunately are not specifically oriented toward bariatric or surgery patients. The BODY-Q is a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument designed to measure patient perceptions of weight loss and/or body contouring. In this article, we describe the methods used to translate and culturally adapt the French version of the BODY-Q. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We followed the recommendation for translation process established by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This process included two forward translations, one backward translation, a review by a panel of expert and cognitive debriefing interviews with patient. Our aim was to ensure a conceptual and culturally valid translation. RESULTS: This translation process led to a conceptually and culturally equivalent French version of the Body-Q. Backward translation comparison to the English original version led to the identification of 16 differences necessitating re-translation. The expert panel offered support to identify inadequate expressions and proposed changes to the translations. The cognitive debriefing interviews with 15 patients contributed to minor changes in the translation. CONCLUSIONS: This thorough method of translation and cultural adaptation allowed us to develop a conceptually and culturally valid French translation of the BODY-Q.

Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Hypertrophy with Botulinum Toxin Injection Followed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment and 3-Dimensional Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle is considered to be a hindrance to lower leg beauty in the Asian aesthetic market. A noninvasive technique that has been gaining recognition involves botulinum toxin A injection; however, there are no proper guidelines or standardized protocols for the administration of botulinum toxin to correct gastrocnemius hypertrophy. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the most effective botulinum toxin injection method for correcting the contour of the lower leg calf, as well as to determine the dose that can produce the maximum effect in meeting the demands of the physician and patient. METHODS: Eighteen female patients aged between 18 and 35 years were enrolled in this study from January 2015 to July 2015. Two injection methods were compared: (I) 48 injection points with a distance of 2 cm between every point; and (II) 10 injection points. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were conducted at baseline prior to treatment and at one month and 6 months after treatment. A 3-dimensional study was performed to analyze the volumetric changes. RESULTS: The most effective and significant treatment method for hypertrophic gastrocnemius muscle was the 48-point method (scattering injection). Following injection, this method exhibited a significant level of satisfaction with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that injection dosage and method have a strong relationship with achieving a better contouring result. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.