Quality of life and body image after circumferential body lifting of the lower trunk: a prospective clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgery after massive weight loss remains a fast growing subspecialty. However, very few studies exist that investigate the quality of life and psychological outcome after body lift surgery.

METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (25 females and 2 males) who had undergone bariatric surgery were scheduled for circumferential body lifting of the lower trunk. The patients, aged 21-58 years (mean = 39.9, SD = 10.9), underwent surgery in our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery between 2008 and 2010. All participants took part in two psychological examinations on a voluntary basis and completed the prospective pre-post study.

RESULTS: Post-weight loss surgery improves the quality of life and body image.

CONCLUSIONS: It is therefore an important part in the interdisciplinary treatment of the massive weight loss patient.