5. HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT POSTPARTUM ABDOMINOPLASTY
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients after postpartum abdominoplasty.
Method: A prospective study was conducted on 66 patients at Hanoi Medical University Hospital from January 2022 to December 2024. Assessments were made using the BODY-Q scale and the 15D instrument.
Results: The average patient age was 38.8 years. Among them, 71.2% underwent surgery due to functional issues related to excess skin, and 48.5% after weight loss through diet and exercise. In the 15D scale, the highest scores were observed in eating (0.98 ± 0.05), speech (0.96 ± 0.07), and vision (0.95 ± 0.08), while the lowest were in discomfort and symptoms (0.70 ± 0.20), sexual activity (0.75 ± 0.18), and hearing (0.75 ± 0.18). On the BODY-Q scale, physical function had the highest score (80 ± 15), followed by scars (75 ± 20), body image (60 ± 18). The strongest correlations with HRQoL were found in body image (0.65, p < 0.001), physical function (0.64, p < 0.001), and psychological well-being (0.66, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Postpartum abdominoplasty significantly improved body image, physical function, and psychological well-being. However, a more comprehensive approach is needed, not only focusing on aesthetic enhancement but also addressing psychological factors to improve the overall quality of life for postpartum women.
Article Details
Keywords
Abdominoplasty, postpartum, BODY-Q, 15D
References
[2] Jessen M.L, Öberg S, và Rosenberg J, Treatment Options for Abdominal Rectus Diastasis, Front Surg, 2019, 6, 65.
[3] El-Gharbawi A.H, El-Sabbagh A.H, Shouman O.O et al, Postbariatric Abdominal Contouring: Technical Approach and Quality of Life, Plast Reconstr Surg, 2022, 150 (4), 796-806.
[4] Poulsen L, Klassen A, Rose M et al, Patient-Reported Outcomes in Weight Loss and Body Contouring Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the BODY-Q, Plast Reconstr Surg, 2017, 140 (3), 491-500.
[5] Sintonen H, The 15D instrument of health-related quality of life: properties and applications, Ann Med, 2001, 33 (5), 328-336.
[6] Toto V, Faiola A, Pazzaglia M et al, Could Abdominoplasty with Diastasis Recti Abdominis Correction Improve Stress Urinary Symptoms? A 1-Year Follow-up Prospective Study, Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2024, 48 (19), 3929-3935.
[7] Matarasso A, Smith D.M, Strategies for Aesthetic Reshaping of the Postpartum Patient, Plast Reconstr Surg, 2015, 136 (2), 245-257.
[8] Edmondson S.J, Ross D.A, The postpartum abdomen: psychology, surgery and quality of life, Hernia, 2021, 25 (4), 939-950.
[9] Uzair S, Babar Z, Sutton P.A, Tissue regeneration mesh reinforcement during abdominoplasty for severe myoaponeurotic laxity after pregnancy, BMJ Case Rep, 2013, bcr2013010306.
[10] Skorochod R, Wolf Y, Retrograde Umbilical Hernia Repair During Abdominoplasty: A Safe and Simple Technique, Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2024, 48 (24), 5336-5341.