Introduction
Changes in the pubic region resulting from abdominoplasty may have a psychosexual impact. Thus, it is important to study the influence of physical changes on the sexuality of patients after abdominoplasty.
Aim
To evaluate the effects of the elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris in the vulvar commissure on the sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of women who underwent abdominoplasty.
Methods
Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Nineteen women with a mean age of 35 ± 7 years, mean body mass index of 23 ± 2 kg/m2 and who expressed a desire to undergo abdominoplasty were selected from consecutive patients attending the abdominal plastic surgery outpatient unit of a university hospital.
Main Outcome Measures
Physical change (measured by the distance between the xiphoid process and vulvar commissure [xipho-vc]), sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction (assessed with the Sexuality Assessment Scale), and body image (measured using the Body Shape Questionnaire [BSQ]) were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after abdominoplasty.
Results
There was a significant reduction (P = 0.0004; z = −3.53) in the xipho-vc distance 6 months after abdominoplasty compared with baseline (mean difference 3.63 ± 2.79 cm), corresponding to an elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris. All patients reported a significant improvement in sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction 6 months after abdominoplasty when compared with baseline (P = 0.0001; z = −3.83). BSQ scores indicated an improvement in the patients’ concerns about body shape (P = 0.0003; z = −3.58).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that physical change and the new position of the clitoris may have a positive impact on sexuality.
Morbidly obese and post-bariatric patients have lost the normal positive correlation between age and skin sensitiveness. The IU region has sensitiveness compromised in morbid obesity. Sensory thresholds in post-bariatric patients showed improvement relative to morbidly obese, but remained worse than the control subjects.
Abdominal skin of post-bariatric women presented decreased heparan sulfate concentrations and perlecan expression and increased expression of collagen III.
There was skin sensation maintenance after anchor-line post-bariatric abdominoplasty. Non-undermining of xipho-pubic flap is a possible reason for this discovery.
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