D42. The Impact of Body Mass Index on Surgical and Aesthetic Outcomes in Cosmetic Abdominoplasty

PURPOSE: Obesity is thought to increase the risk of complications in body contouring procedures. Surgical and aesthetic outcomes of cosmetic abdominoplasty in obese patients have yet to be established. We aimed to elucidate the risk of abdominoplasty in overweight and obese patients. METHODS: Patients at a single institution (2015-2021) who underwent cosmetic abdominoplasty by a single surgeon were identified. Cosmetic abdominoplasty was defined as abdominal contouring procedure, frequently including liposuction or rectus plication, not covered by insurance. Patient demographics, surgical site occurrences (SSO), cosmetic complaints, and reoperations were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the risk of BMI on outcomes. RESULTS: One-hundred and thirteen patients underwent cosmetic abdominoplasty. Forty patients (35.4%) were normal weight (BMI ≥18.5-<25), 43 (38.1%) were overweight (BMI ≥25-<30), and 30 (26.6%) were obese (BMI ≥30). The study population was predominantly female (93.0%), and Caucasian (57.5%). Liposuction volume was significantly different (P=<0.001) between groups, but diastasis plication was not (P=0.490). Twenty-four of 33 instances of SSO were delayed healing. There was no increased risk of SSO, cosmetic complaints, or reoperation in overweight or obese patients compared to normal weight. CONCLUSION: Although surgeons can be apprehensive of performing abdominal aesthetic surgery in overweight and obese patients, our results support their safety in these populations. We showed no increased risk of SSO, cosmetic complaints, or reoperations.