The Experience and Complications of Lipoabdominoplasty for Chinese Post-bariatric Population.

[BACKGROUND] The increasing prevalence of bariatric surgeries in China has led to a growing number of patients experiencing massive weight loss and abdominal skin laxity. However, there is a scarcity of reports addressing post-bariatric lipoabdominoplasty in these patients. This study aims to present our clinical experiences with lipoabdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients in China.

[METHODS] We performed lipoabdominoplasty on patients who had abdominal skin laxity following bariatric surgery between March 2018 and October 2023. The procedure encompassed abdominal liposuction, plication of the rectus abdominis muscles, umbilical transposition and progressive tension sutures. Complications were recorded and analyzed.

[RESULTS] The cohort consisted of 23 post-bariatric patients who underwent lipoabdominoplasty, achieving aesthetically favorable results. The average age at the time of surgery was 31.5 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.1 kg/m.The overall complication rate was 34.8% (8 out of 23 patients), with hypertrophic scar being the most prevalent complication at 30.4%, followed by partial skin necrosis (4.3%).

[CONCLUSION] For the Chinese post-bariatric patients, traditional lipoabdominoplasty may be preferred over fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty. The primary complication observed in our patients is hypertrophic scar. Chinese patients experience a lower rate of other complications, potentially attributed to their lower pre-surgery BMI and younger age.

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