The Impact of Abdominoplasty vs Non-abdominoplasty on Weight Loss in Bariatric and Non-bariatric Malaysian Patients: A Multicentre Retrospective Study

Background and aims Weight loss associated with abdominoplasty remains controversial as to whether it is contributed by the procedure alone, or if there are other patient factors. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between weight loss in pre- and post-abdominoplasty and compared the weight loss of those who do not undergo abdominoplasty in bariatric and non-bariatric patients. Methods This study measured weight changes at designated time points in four different groups comprising 98 patients. The groups were abdominoplasty after bariatric surgery (group A), patients with abdominoplasty alone (B), bariatric surgery alone (group C), and diet alone (group D). Results are compared within and between the groups. Results Patients in groups A and B (patients who had abdominoplasty regardless with or without bariatric surgery) had a significant weight loss after six months (mean difference=10.70kg, 95% CI=4.05, 17.34, p<0.001) compared to pre abdominoplasty weight. Patients in group B were statistically significant (mean difference=4.01kg, 95% CI=0.92, 7.10, p=0.007) with 3.60kg weight reduction (4.59%). Patients in group A had clinically significant weight reduction (4.45kg, 5.14%) but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05) and had no significant additional weight reduction as compared to non-abdominoplasty (group C) patients (p=0.650). Patients in group C had a statistically significant difference from those in group D (F [1.00, 48.00] = 8.56, p=0.005) with an average weight loss of 3.60kg (4.59%) vs 2.56kg (2.8%) respectively. Conclusions All patients with abdominoplasty had significant weight loss after six months. Bariatric patients did not experience significant additional weight loss with abdominoplasty. Weight reduction after abdominoplasty alone was greater than diet alone.