Using the BODY-Q to Understand Impact of Weight Loss, Excess Skin and the Need for Body Contouring Following Bariatric Surgery

Background: A consequence of bariatric surgery is redundant skin for most patients. We measured health-related quality of life and appearance following bariatric surgery in relation to weight loss, excess skin and need for body contouring. Methods: The sample included participants from the BODY-Q field-test study recruited between November 2013 and July 2014 from a bariatric program in Canada. Participants were invited to complete BODY-Q scales and questions to assess weight loss, amount of excess skin and need for body contouring, between 7 June 2016 and 29 November 2016. Results: 214 patients responded (75% response rate). Of the 210 who had bariatric surgery, percentage total weight loss (%TWL) ranged from 4 to 58%; most were left with excess skin (n=196, 93%) and needed body contouring (n=168, 80%). Average time since bariatric surgery was 3.4 years (0.4 to 7.6). Higher %TWL correlated with more excess skin (r=0.24, p=0.001), the need for more body contouring procedures (r=0.29,