Lower Body Lift after Massive Weight Loss: Autoaugmentation versus No Augmentation

Background: Lower body lift procedures have increased in popularity to treat massive weight loss patients with redundant tissues of the buttocks. To date, no studies have specifically compared outcomes related to autoaugmentation versus no augmentation, complications, or patient satisfaction between these groups. Methods: A retrospective review of 97 patients was performed to examine age, body mass index, length of stay, and complications. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a phone survey, and a blinded physician survey was used to assess aesthetics. Results: Forty-two patients underwent autoaugmentation and 55 did not. The mean age of the patients was 46.1 years in the augmented group and 47.3 years in the nonaugmented group (p = 0.55); mean maximum body mass index was 52.1 versus 50.6 kg/m(2), respectively (p = 0.42); mean current body mass index was 29.1 versus 27.7 kg/m(2), respectively (p = 0.10); and mean change in body mass index was 23.1 versus 22.7 kg/m(2), respectively (p = 0.81). Eighteen augmented patients (42.5 percent) had complications postoperatively compared with 11 nonaugmented patients (20 percent) (p = 0.012). Both groups would undergo the same procedure again and recommend it to a friend. Physicians repeatedly rated aesthetics of augmented buttocks higher than of nonaugmented buttocks (p = 0.032). Conclusions: Autoaugmentation in lower body lift procedures has a higher rate of complications, primarily because of dehiscence. Despite physicians rating aesthetics higher for autoaugmented patients, patient satisfaction is similar between the groups; thus, fully informed patients should be able to decide between procedures.