[Predictive factors of complications in abdominal sequelae surgery of weight loss, after bariatric surgery in non-smokers]

The goal of this work was to find the main predictive factors of postoperative complications, other than smoking, after abdominoplasty or bodylift concerning sequelae of post-bariatric weight loss.

Patients and method: A retrospective monocentric study, including abdominoplasties or bodylift, after bariatric surgery was carried out between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2019. The following were excluded: active smokers, non-bariatric patients and/or patients who had already had an abdominoplasty or body lift and/or who had undergone combined surgery.

Results: 105 patients were included (73 bodylifts, 32 abdominoplasties). 68% presented at least one complication. The majority of them only resulted in an extension of local care. The serious complication rate was 2.9%. The risk factors for complications were: a young subject (P=0.014), greater weight loss (P=0.03), longer delay between bariatric surgery and plastic surgery (P=0.0002), performing a bodylift versus an abdominoplasty (P<0.01), gastric banding (P=0.029). Conversely, the bypass appeared to be a factor limiting post-sequelae complications of weight loss (P=0.041). The predictive complication model from the multivariate study concludes that the type of plastic surgery and preoperative BMI play a major role in the risk of complications.

Conclusion: Surgery for abdominal weight loss sequelae presents frequent but generally benign complications. Preoperative patient information must therefore be adapted according to initial obesity and the extent of weight loss.