Is body-contouring surgery a right for massive weight loss patients? A survey through the European Union National Health Systems

Abstract

Background: Obesity is pandemic nowadays, and hanging skin with consequent functional and psychological impairments is a common price to pay for massive weight loss. Plastic surgery in postbariatric patients represents a fundamental step to regain possession of a positive self-image. The authors aimed to investigate how EU countries’ National Health System (NHS) behaves regarding reimbursements for body-contouring procedures after massive weight loss. Methods: A 1-item survey was sent to contacts found on the NHS official Web sites of 27 EU countries. The question focused on postbariatric surgery practice and investigated the accessibility criteria for NHS coverage concerning body-contouring procedures after massive weight loss. Results: Responses were collected between January 2020 and February 2020. Response rate was 65%, and access criteria to NHS coverage for postbariatric surgery presented great variation across EU countries. Only one country presented an NHS with no coverage for postbariatric surgeries. Conclusions: Despite the conspicuous variability found among the EU NHS, none of them admit reimbursement in cases of merely aesthetic procedures: postbariatric patients need to display functional or health impairments due to the extensive weight loss. The results of the current study describe a complex situation among EU countries, but a common lead towards postbariatric patients’ care shows off. The ultimate goal of bariatric patient’s healing should be full restoration of physical and psychological well-being. NHS of EU countries are facing this increasing request in various ways, and more studies should be performed in order to understand which is the best approach. Level of evidence: Not ratable.