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. 2016 Sep 29;4(9):e1030.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001030. eCollection 2016 Sep.

Complications of Lower Body Lift Surgery in Postbariatric Patients

Ingrid G M Poodt  1 , Martine M van Dijk  1 , Steven Klein  1 , Maarten M Hoogbergen  1
Affiliations

Complications of Lower Body Lift Surgery in Postbariatric Patients

Ingrid G M Poodt et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

There is an exponential rise of patients with massive weight loss because of bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes. The result is an increase of patients with folds of redundant skin that may cause physical and psychological problems. The lower body lift is a procedure to correct deformities in the abdomen, mons, flanks, lateral thighs, and buttocks. Complication rates are quite high and could negatively affect the positive outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess complication rates and to identify predictors of complications to optimize outcomes for patients after lower body lift surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 100 patients who underwent a lower body lift procedure was performed. The patients were reviewed for complications, demographic data, comorbidities, smoking, highest lifetime body mass index, body mass index before lower body lift surgery, percentage of excess weight loss, and amount of tissue excised.

Results: The overall complication rate was 78%. Twenty-two percent of the patients had major complications and 56% had minor complications. There is a linear relationship between body mass index before lower body lift surgery and complications (P = 0.03). The percentage of excess weight loss (odds ratio [OR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-1.00), highest lifetime body mass index (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.01-1.15), body mass index before lower body lift surgery (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.02-1.33), and smoking (OR 7.74; CI 0.98-61.16) are significantly associated with the development of complications.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of a good weight status before surgery and cessation of smoking to minimize the risk of complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. The Article Processing Charge was paid for by the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
A, Complications divided in grades according to the modified Clavien–Dindo classification (there were no patients in Clavien IV and V). B, Complications subdivided in no complications, minor complications, and major complications.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
A, Percentage of complications in relation to BMI pre-LBL <30 and BMI pre-LBL >30 (P = 0.07). B, Percentage of complications in relation to BMI pre-LBL subdivided into 3 categories (P = 0.03).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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