Study shows Obesity is a risk factor for Plastic Surgery
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A new study recently published in the May Issue of the Medical Journal of ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) gives some very interesting details regarding the effect of obesity in Plstic Surgery. The study reports higher complication rates for obese patients comparing to non-obese, even 30 days post surgery! R. Sieffert, MD, MBA states: “Overweight and obese patients remained 35 percent more likely to have an emergency department visit or hospital admission within 30 days of surgery.”
The study evaluated data from 48000 adults that opted for usual cosmetic procedures (like liposuction, tummy tuck or eyelid surgery). 4% of them were obese (based on their BMI -Body Mass Index-). The study reports that during the first 30 days after surgery 7.3% of the obese patients had an emergency visit to a hospital, while only 3.9% of the non obese patients had similar emergency visits. In addition a 3.2% of obese patients suffered from adverse reactions (during the first 30 days post surgery) while only 0.9% of the non obese patients suffered from similar issues.
Finally the hospital costs for obese patients were inevitably increased because of the higher risks that are connected to these patients. This study can be proved really useful for a better education of possible patients. Dr. Sieffert and his team state: “Throughout the perioperative period, it is important to educate overweight and obese patients regarding their risk of complications, as well as the importance of medical optimization of their comorbid conditions,”
For more details on the specific study click here!
