Study finds patients with belly still throwing pounds five years later

“We found that patients not only maintained their weight loss after cominoplasty, but they also continued to lose weight over time – up to ten pounds, on average,” commented Senior writer John Ys Kim of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “This postoperative weight loss looks greater and increases in later surveillance times, in patients with initially higher body mass index [BMI]. ”

Continuing weight loss up to five years after belly

Cosmoplasty is a cosmetic surgery to improve abdominal appearance. In 2023, ASPS surgeons performed more than 170,000 bellymakers, according to ASPS statistics. Many of these procedures are performed in patients with massive weight loss that leaves them with excessive, loose skin.

Plastic surgeons have noticed that patients may continue to lose weight after the commander. However, there is minimal research data on this subject, including whether the process of the comminoplasty itself contributes to the long -term weight loss.

Dr. Kim and his colleagues conducted a study on the evaluation of body weight changes in 188 patients who underwent a common of 2018 and 2022. Ninety -seven percent of patients were women. The average preoperative weight was about 168 pounds with BMI 27.7. Most patients have undergone liposuction or a further procedure to remove excess fat (Lootectomy) at the same time as the commander. Body weight trends were evaluated for up to five years after surgery.

The results showed continuing weight loss after the commander. In three to six months, the average weight loss was between five and six kilos, with a reduction of about 3 % in BMI. From one to four years, weight loss was about five pounds, to reduce BMI about two percent. Up to five years (in a limited number of patients), average weight loss was almost ten pounds, with a reduction of more than five percent in BMI.

‘Almost stable negative change in body weight’ after the consumption

Overall, about 60% of patients lost weight during surveillance. Further analysis showed an “almost stable negative change in body weight that did not change significantly over time,” the researchers write.

After adjusting for other factors, continuing weight loss was more likely for elderly patients, those who underwent liposuction/liptectomy and those who had never smoked. Weight loss was greater for patients who had a higher body weight and BMI before surgery and for a small number of patients who used the younger semi -weight loss drugs.

The study adds new indications that “decrease in weight after abdominal view is a quantifiable phenomenon and that patients undergoing a common weight continue to lose significant weight for up to five years after surgery,” the researchers write. They note some basic restrictions on their study, including different times of surveillance and possible confusing factors.

The study cannot permanently explain why patients continue to lose weight after surgery. However, Dr. Kim and his colleagues write: “We have found that patients who were able to achieve weight loss after their commander has managed to develop healthy habits that focus on nutrition and exercise.” They emphasize the need for a “platform based on evidence” to evaluate weight changes after the wake and detecting long -term weight loss factors.