Body Contouring Surgery Improves Physical Activity in Patients After Massive Weight Loss-a Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare physical activity (PA) in patients who had undergone massive weight loss (MWL), before and after body contouring procedures. METHODS: All patients undergoing body contouring surgery after MWL between 2007 and 2017 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months after the last procedure were included in this retrospective study. Excluded were those with a body mass index > 35 kg/m2 and those with comorbidities leading to impaired PA. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Moorehead-Ardelt QOL Questionnaire II. Evaluation of PA was obtained with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form and the Freiburg PA Questionnaire. Functional impairment during exercise was analyzed using a self-designed functional impairment score (FIS). RESULTS: In the 45 patients completing the survey (37 female, 8 male), an improvement in QOL (p < 0.001) and PA scored by the IPAQ (p = 0.017) was found. The Freiburg PA Questionnaire showed no difference in PA before and after body contouring surgery (p = 0,274). Furthermore, scores of the FIS indicated a decrease of functional impairment during physical activity after body contouring surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Body contouring improves QOL and PA in patients after massive weight loss. The results of our study confirm the important role of plastic surgery in the treatment and maintenance of health of patients with former obesity.