OasisLMS

This propensity-matched study compares clinical and patient-reported outcomes following abdominoplasty or panniculectomy in 208 patients with and without previous weight loss surgery. Patients with prior WLS experienced more overall surgical-site occurrences and significantly more delayed wound healing, but rates of major complications, readmission, reoperation, and revision were similar between groups. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in body and abdominal satisfaction, psychological and psychosocial function, and appraisal, while WLS patients also experienced significant gains in body image, physical function, and sexual function. These findings can help plastic surgeons counsel postbariatric patients about an increased risk of minor wound-healing problems while emphasizing the substantial quality-of-life benefits associated with abdominal contouring.

Intended Audience

This educational activity is intended for plastic surgery practitioners, residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in translating expanded knowledge into practice for the improvement of patient outcomes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Learning Objectives

After viewing this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Compare postoperative complications after abdominal contouring in patients with and without prior weight loss surgery.
2. Identify differences in delayed wound healing and major complications between weight loss surgery and non–weight loss surgery patients.
3. Evaluate patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes following abdominal contouring in both patient populations.
4. Describe operative and patient characteristics that differ between patients with and without prior weight loss surgery.
5. Apply study findings to preoperative counseling and risk assessment for postbariatric abdominal contouring patients.

Chris Amro, MD
Isabel A. Ryan, BS
Aditya Jog, BS
Robyn B. Broach, PhD
John P. Fischer, MD, MPH
Maria S. Altieri, MD, MS
Saïd C. Azoury, MD

Editor-in-Chief:

Samuel J. Lin, MD, MBA

Co-editors:

Alan Matarasso, MD

Michael Shermak, MD

Ryan Diederich, MD

Vinod K. Chopra, MD

• Systems-based Practice
• Medical Knowledge
• Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Accreditation

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

The ASPS designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™: 1.0

Media: Journal Article

Release Date: 10/6/2026

Expiration Date: 10/6/2026*

Estimated time to complete this course: 1 hour

*Course access ends on course expiration date

Disclosure Policy

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all instructors, planners, reviewers, managers and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The following planners/faculty members/reviewers have the following disclosures:

John P. Fischer, MD, MPH –

Consultant- 3M, AbbVie, Becton-Dickinson, WLGore, and Integra Life Sciences, and research support from the National Institutes of Health.

Saïd C. Azoury, MD –

Consultant - Integra Life Sciences, RTI, and WLGore, and royalty payments from Wolters Kluwer for article contributions in UpToDate.

None of the above is related to the content of this article. No funding was provided for this article. The other authors have no financial or conflict of interest disclosures related to this work.

Chris Amro, MD
Isabel A. Ryan, BS
Aditya Jog, BS
Robyn B. Broach, PhD
Maria S. Altieri, MD, MS

Ryan Diederich, MD

Vinod K. Chopra, MD

Recognition Statement

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits offered by this activity are enhanced by ASPS Learner Credit Reporting for learners who have opted into this reporting. Successful completion of this CME activity enables active American Board of Surgery (ABS) members the opportunity to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the ABS's Continuous Certification program when claimed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®)

Participants in ASPS-accredited education who want their CME credits reported to certifying and state licensing boards must opt-in to reporting and add their NPI as well as state license ID and/or collaborating board ID(s) before claiming credit.