Body Contouring Surgery Improves Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction Our main objective is to evaluate the effect of body contouring surgery (BCS) on the magnitude and durability of weight loss after bariatric surgery. Methods Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus search were conducted from the time of their inception to June 2020. We included comparative studies that assessed weight progression, in terms of Body Mass Index change (Delta BMI), Total Body Weight Loss (TBWL%), and Excess Weight Loss (%EWL) for the post-bariatric patient population and the effect of BCS on weight progression. Results Eleven articles were included. The pooled sample size was 2307, of which 691 were cases who underwent BCS post-bariatric surgery, and 1616 were comparative controls. The mean follow-up time for cases and controls were 61.6 +/- 23.8 months and 52.2 +/- 23.8 months, respectively. Nine studies reported results of BMI changes, six provided %EWL, and five used %TBWL. Significant improvement in weight loss was observed in the BCS group when measured by either Delta BMI (3 kg/m(2) points decrease, p 0.023), %TBWL (6% increase, P < 0.0001), or %EWL (14% increase, P < 0.0001). Sub-group analysis showed that increased follow-up time was associated with higher TBWL% (p 0.02). Conclusion The evidence provided in this review strongly supports the added long-term benefits of body contouring surgery for selected patients after massive weight loss following bariatric surgery. Having a multidisciplinary team that involves a bariatric and a plastic surgeon as well as nutritionists and psychologists for the management of patients with obesity going through the bariatric pathway is recommended.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated significant improvement in weight loss after body contouring surgery in post-bariatric patients, as measured by various parameters such as Delta BMI, TBWL%, and %EWL. Sub-group analysis indicated that longer follow-up time was associated with higher TBWL%.