5. HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT POSTPARTUM ABDOMINOPLASTY

Nguyen Thi Anh1, Ngo Xuan Khoa1,2, Hoang Van Hong1, Pham Van Thanh1, Nguyen Thi Hong Nguyet1, Pham Thi Thanh Huyen1, Do Thi Hong Ly1, Nguyen Thi Kim Dung1, Bui Bich Huyen1, Nguyen Thi Mat1, Pham Quang Anh1
1 Hanoi Medical University Hospital
2 Hanoi Medical University

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

References

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