ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Body contouring surgery (BCS) in adolescents, particularly following bariatric surgery, involves a complex array of ethical, psychological, and medical factors. This review focuses on adolescents who have experienced significant weight loss, often due to bariatric surgery, and subsequently require body contouring to address excess skin and soft tissue. METHODS: A literature narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Relevant articles were screened and selected based on their discussion of post-bariatric and massive weight loss body contouring surgeries in adolescents, focusing on prevalence, outcomes, and ethical considerations. RESULTS: The prevalence of BCS among adolescents is rising, influenced by social media and societal perceptions of beauty. However, the percentage of adolescents receiving BCS after bariatric surgery remains low. Adolescents undergoing BCS experience improvements in physical functioning, body image, and psychological well-being. Complications, although common, are mostly minor. Ethical considerations include ensuring informed consent, assessing emotional maturity, managing patient expectations, and involving adolescents in decision-making. Comparative analysis reveals similar outcomes in adults and adolescents, but adolescents face unique ethical challenges related to autonomy, long-term effects, and ongoing physical and emotional development. CONCLUSION: BCS in adolescents following bariatric surgery can lead to improved physical and psychological outcomes. However, the decision to undergo BCS must be carefully considered, taking into account the adolescent's maturity, expectations, and long-term well-being. Ethical considerations are paramount, emphasizing the need for informed consent, realistic expectations, and a multidisciplinary approach. Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes and the specific ethical implications of BCS in adolescents compared to adults. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
ABSTRACT
With the increase in obesity prevalence, a noticeable increase in bariatric surgeries has been reported in national and international statistics. Therefore, body contouring surgeries have increased to help individuals achieve their desired body shape. Plastic surgeons need to consider potential hematologic complications that may occur in this specific group of patients before performing body contouring surgery. This review illustrates the perioperative medical, laboratory, and management strategies needed to minimize blood loss and blood transfusion requirements during body contouring. Using Google Scholar and PubMed, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify articles discussing post-bariatric body contouring perioperative blood management strategies, including the effects of bariatric surgery on hemostasis as well as basic hematology and coagulation. In preoperative blood management, blood investigations aid in the early detection of electrolytes, protein, and vitamin deficiencies and anemia, resulting in the early correction of nutritional deficiencies. In order to reduce postoperative complications, surgical and anesthesia techniques, as well as intraoperative pharmacological therapy, play an essential role. Postoperative blood transfusion and restrictive transfusion thresholds are tailored to the patient's needs and depend on various physiological indicators, such as heart rate, blood pressure, urine output, and laboratory findings, such as acidosis and hematocrit level. Generally, post-bariatric body contouring blood management measures are still lacking, and more research is required to develop standardized guidelines for optimizing patient safety and satisfaction.Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
