Preoperative Weight Loss in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

This study is exploring whether losing weight before a surgical procedure to fix a ventral hernia can improve outcomes for patients. A ventral hernia is a condition where tissues bulge through an opening in the abdominal wall, and surgery is often needed to repair it. The trial involves patients who need this surgery and compares two groups: one group will undergo a special 6-month weight loss program guided by medical professionals, while the other group will have the surgery without any weight loss requirements. The aim is to see if losing weight beforehand can lead to better recovery and overall health after surgery. Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Those in the weight loss program will receive guidance from doctors, nurse practitioners, and dieticians to help them lose weight before their surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. The effectiveness of these approaches will be measured by looking at the participants' quality of life related to their abdominal health one year after the surgery. This will be assessed using a survey that rates their quality of life from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a better outcome. This study could potentially lead to improved surgical outcomes and better long-term well-being for patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction.