Obese people who opt for plastic surgery after undergoing bariatric procedures are more successful in not gaining weight later, a new study finds.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Henry Ford Health System. Previous studies have established that many obes people opt for plastic surgeries after undergoing bariatric proceduresto to reshape their body. Researchers of the new study found that this may actually be benficial.
"As plastic and reconstructive surgeons, we are encouraged by the idea that improved body image can translate into better long-term maintenance of a healthier weight, and possibly a better quality of life for our patients," says Donna Tepper, M.D., a Henry Ford plastic surgeon and senior author of the study, in a press statement.
"Bariatric surgery has a measurably significant positive impact on patient illness and death," Dr. Tepper says. "However, even with the technical and safety advancements we've seen in these procedures, their long-term success may still be limited by recidivism. There is a high incidence of patients who regain weight after the surgery."
For the study, researchers followed 94 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at Henry Ford from 2003 through 2013. About 47 of these people opted for body re-contouring procedures. These included face or breast lift, so-called "tummy tuck" or lifts of sagging upper arms, thighs or buttocks. These surgeries are generally conducted to remove inelastic excess skin and tissue after substantial weight loss and to reshape or re-contour their bodies.
"Of the patients who underwent contouring surgery, the average decrease in BMI was 18.24 at 2.5 years, compared to a statistically significant 12.45 at 2.5 years for those who did not have further surgery," Dr. Tepper explains.
Researchers noted that more studies need to be conducted to see the effects of such plastic surgeries five years down the line and whether they can be used to maintain weight loss.
Findings of the study were presented at the annual conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in Chicago.
