BACKGROUND: With the increasing number of massively obese patients who undergo the implant of a gastric band, there is also a growing demand for a plastic-reconstructive operation of the overstretched skin, now lax after the enormous weight reduction. METHODS: From May 2000 to March 2002, 12 abdominoplasties and 12 mastopexies were performed in patients with an average age of 37.3 years (range 33-44 years) as single-stage procedures after an average weight-loss of 67 kg (range 43-111 kg) after gastric banding. A follow-up examination of all patients was carried out an average of 8.4 months (range 1-23 months) after the operation, to review the duration of hospital stay and assess the period of work disablement as well as the patients' satisfaction, which was judged on a scale from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 7 (very satisfied), based on a written questionnaire. RESULTS: The average duration of hospital stay was 7.4 days. There were 5 complications that healed under conservative management. 8 patients suffered an average work disability of 5.4 weeks. 4 patients who were housewives suffered no impairments that affected their ability to carry on with their household duties. The patients' postoperative satisfaction in regard to psyche, appearance, self-confidence and vitality was strongly improved in each case. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to multi-stage procedures, single-stage operations resulted in a reduced duration of hospital stay by 4.1 days and thus in diminished medical costs and in a reduction of work disablement by 3.5 weeks. Patients who underwent single-stage operations were postoperatively more satisfied than those with multi-stage operations.
BACKGROUND: With the increasing number of massively obesepatients who undergo the implant of a gastric band, there is also a growing demand for a plastic-reconstructive operation of the overstretched skin, now lax after the enormous weight reduction. METHODS: From May 2000 to March 2002, 12 abdominoplasties and 12 mastopexies were performed in patients with an average age of 37.3 years (range 33-44 years) as single-stage procedures after an average weight-loss of 67 kg (range 43-111 kg) after gastric banding. A follow-up examination of all patients was carried out an average of 8.4 months (range 1-23 months) after the operation, to review the duration of hospital stay and assess the period of work disablement as well as the patients' satisfaction, which was judged on a scale from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 7 (very satisfied), based on a written questionnaire. RESULTS: The average duration of hospital stay was 7.4 days. There were 5 complications that healed under conservative management. 8 patients suffered an average work disability of 5.4 weeks. 4 patients who were housewives suffered no impairments that affected their ability to carry on with their household duties. The patients' postoperative satisfaction in regard to psyche, appearance, self-confidence and vitality was strongly improved in each case. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to multi-stage procedures, single-stage operations resulted in a reduced duration of hospital stay by 4.1 days and thus in diminished medical costs and in a reduction of work disablement by 3.5 weeks. Patients who underwent single-stage operations were postoperatively more satisfied than those with multi-stage operations.
Authors: James E Mitchell; Ross D Crosby; Troy W Ertelt; Joanna M Marino; David B Sarwer; J Kevin Thompson; Kathryn L Lancaster; Heather Simonich; L Michael Howell Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2008-06-17 Impact factor: 4.129
Authors: Wilson Cintra; Miguel L A Modolin; Rolf Gemperli; Celeste I C Gobbi; Joel Faintuch; Marcos C Ferreira Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2008-03-28 Impact factor: 4.129