Impact of Wearing a Support Garment Following Parietal Gastrectomy

Impact of Wearing a Support Garment on Mobility, Functional Capacity, Self-esteem, Quality of Life and Skin Maceration Following Parietal Gastrectomy

Custom-made orthopedic support equipment and abdominal-lumbar support belts offer promising potential for several aspects affecting the health and well-being of people with obesity who choose a surgical weight loss option. However, research is needed to quantitatively document their short and long term effects on a wide range of parameters related to mobility, quality of life, lower back pain and skin maceration following parietal gastrectomy. The objective of this study is to characterize the effect of a support garment in an experimental design where a subgroup of participants will be randomized and followed for the first 12 months after a gastrectomy. The measures will be: physical activity, lower back pain, self-esteem, quality of life, skin maceration and infections. This study will scientifically document the usefulness and effectiveness of support garments throughout the weight loss surgery process.

Inclusion Criteria:

• meeting the NIH criteria for bariatric surgery
• BMI >= 35 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• chronic pulmonary obstructive disease
• gastric stoma
• psychiatric disease contraindicated for bariatric surgery