Quality of Life, Self-Esteem and Satisfaction after Abdominoplasty

Abstract: Background: This study aims to evaluate the changes in self-esteem and quality of life in patients undergoing abdominoplasty in our ward, as well as their satisfaction. Thus, a prospective examination of pre- and postoperative. Patients and Methods: A prospective monocentric study was conducted in patients operated on for abdominoplasty between 2019 and 2021 at the Plastic Surgery Department of the Military Hospital Oued Dahab. 118 patients agreed to participate in the study that included questionnaires and clinical examination preoperatively (T1), one month after the surgery (T2) and a 6 months follow-up evaluation (T3). The testing instrument included a standardized self-assessment test on satisfaction and quality of life (QLI-3), Rosenberg score for self-esteem assessment and Body Q index (including the abdominal, body, body image, silhouette surgery scar and sexual function questionnaires). Further, a postoperative complication questionnaire during the six months after the surgery. Statistical analysis was processed on Jamovi 2.3.18. Results: Our series was made of 118 patients: 116 were women and 2 were men. The average age was 41.5 years. The preoperative mean body mass index was 29.1 kg/m², and mean postoperative body mass index was 27 kg/m². 11 patients had minor complications: postoperative abdominal venous congestion (6,77%), unsightly scars (4.23%), seroma (1.69%) and hematoma (0.84%). Quality of life mean scores went from 139 preoperatively to 175 after six months. The Rosenberg self-esteem score also increased from 35.1 on average to 37.2 six months after the procedure. Body Q scores evaluating the body, abdomen, body image and sexual function all increased, going from 33.1 to 69.2, 29.1 to 94.4 , 34.3 to 85.2, 49.9 to 79.7; respectively. The scar score at six months postoperatively was 70.8. Conclusion: Abdominoplasty seems to positively affect different dimensions of the life of the patients who undergo it. We studied the self-image of the subjects after abdominoplasty, their self-esteem and quality of life. These parameters all showed an improvement after the procedure. However, the occurrence of complications influenced certain aspects of the body image. Thus, the indications for abdominoplasty should be closely linked to certain psychological dimensions of the patients.