Dalia M. El Sakka^1,, Jehad O. Albitar², Adulhakam A. Falemban³, Abrar A. Wazqar³, Mohammad F. Qusty⁴

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem, affecting both developed and developing countries. It may necessitate bariatric surgery. Excessive weight loss following the bariatric surgery may result in an excess of lax, overstretched skin mainly over the abdomen that may lead to overhanging of the abdominal skin causing physical discomfort that may negatively affecting the body image' perception and bio-psycho-social well-being of the patients. Objectives: The study was conducted to examine the effect of abdominoplasty following bariatric surgery on the bio-psycho-social well-being and patient satisfaction. Methods: Body image perception and patient satisfaction of a sample of 52 obese patients subjected to abdominoplasty following bariatric surgery (20 laparoscopic gastric plications and 32 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) were measured by the Obesity Psychological State and Satisfaction Questionnaires. The mean age of participants was 39-year old (range19-55year). Results: Post-bariatric abdominoplasty resulted in a significant improvement of patient satisfaction at a mean interval of 24 months between weight loss and abdominoplasty procedure. Conclusions: This study showed that post bariatric abdominoplasty as a single body contouring procedure results in a significant improvement in overall body image' perception, self-esteem, and self-concept. Post-bariatric abdominoplasty should be incorporated in a multidisciplinary care program following weight loss surgery in the morbidly obese patients. These improvements are most consistent with weight loss and subsequent sequelae.

quality, body image, bariatric surgery