Multidisciplinary Care in Body Contouring: An Integrative Approach to Enhancing Outcomes.

Abstract

Body contouring procedures have become increasingly common to meet the growing demand for aesthetic surgery, particularly in the context of bariatrics. Massive weight loss (MWL) patients are complex and often require extensive management of comorbidities, malnutrition status, physical debilitation, and psychological sequelae. Patient optimization prior to body contouring surgery in addition to strict postoperative maintenance are crucial to achieve favorable and sustainable outcomes. Surgical candidates should be screened thoroughly, and in the MWL patient population specifically, multidisciplinary care is needed for proper evaluation and support. Notable specialists that routinely contribute in MWL and body contouring patient care include plastic surgeons, bariatric surgeons, primary care physicians, dieticians, endocrinologists, mental health providers, and physical therapists. This article details essential roles within the multidisciplinary approach to body contouring surgery and MWL patients and reviews critical pre-, intra-, and postoperative aspects of care.