BMI = 39.62: Is it Safe to Have a Tummy Tuck to Remove Excess Skin?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by sweetred in the dalles, OR

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Tummy tucks in BMIs near 40

The issue is controversial. Everyone will agree that losing weight before surgery is safer. But I've operated on skinny people how were half as healthy as some of my husky patients. So, the answer is not in the number. If you go to my website you will see a video of a woman who's BMI matches yours. She was very healthy and I did her surgery without any problem. I took precautions and counseled her, but I did it. She was very pleased. I have a feeling that surgeons who refuse to... more

Tummy tuck in obese patient

You are not a good candidate for a tummy tuck at your current BMI. You are at much greater risk for lung problems, wound healing problems, blood clots, infection etc, etc. The risk is not worth the probably minor improvment you will get with surgery. The only exception to this is if you have a large panniculus which causes a lot of problems with skin irritation and mobility. In that case you may be a reasonable candidate for a panniculectomy which just removes the... more

BMI and surgery

That BMI is on the higher side and I usually would suggest weight loss first and try to get closer to a BMI of 30. I have found that the surgery will yield better overall results and will be safer for you.

Tummy tuck: abdominoplasty or panniculectomy?

For anyone with a BMI of essentially 40, the risks of surgery are greater than for someone with a lower BMI--all other factors being the same. However, the term "tummy tuck" can be used for both an abdominoplasty where the skin and underlying tissue are separated from the muscle, the muscle is often tightened, the belly button repositioned and the excess skin removed, and a panniculectomy where the excess skin is removed often including the belly button. A panniculectomy is common... more

Tummy tucks in obese patients

Based on your BMI alone I would not recommend a tummy tuck for you at this time. There are more complications associated with obese patients and tummy tuck surgery. I would plan on losing some weight to get your BMI under 30 in order to become a better candidate for this procedure. Also, as you lose weight, you will develop more excess skin which can better be addressed at the time of the tummy tuck. Generally speaking, you will have a better, safer outcome if you have a tummy tuck at a... more

A tummy tuck is absolutely not recommended in someone with a BMI of 40

HI sweetred in the dalles, OR I do not recommend that a patient with a BMI of essentially 40 undergo tummy tuck. There are two main reasons: The risks of surgery are significantly increased. This includes risks such as with anesthesia, bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, blood clots, and even death. The result will be suboptimal. When someone is this obese, a tummy tuck will do little to improved the overall appearance. On the other... more

That is a high BMI, probably best to lose weight first

That BMI is high of course and does give me pause. I just checked the data for my practice and it is rare for us to do an abdominoplasty on patients with a BMI over 40. One problem is that at this weight it may not be possible to completely repair the muscular "diastasis" and it would be a shame to go to the trouble of a tummy tuck without correcting the muscle malalignment. Having said that, there are some patients with very large frames and admittedly are obese,... more

BMI and surgery

The BMI is used to stratify risk in surgery. Ideal candidates for body contouring surgery will have a BMI under 30. Surgical risks and post op complications increase above 30. Once the BMI is above 35 the risks become prohibitive. In fact in my practice, I would discuss a limited panniculectomy with you but would not offer you an abdominoplasty. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who does body contouring after significant weight loss to review this with you further. Your final... more

BMI 39 and Tummy Tuck risks

In general, the closer you are to your ideal weight, the better results you can expect. Patients with a BMI can sometimes get a good result depending on distribution of the excess (if the excess is lower). There is a higher risk if several complications with a BMI > 40. Weight loss before surgery is safer and will get you better results.

Is it "Safe" to have a Tummy Tuck with a BMI of 40 ("Morbidly Obese")?

Like all Cosmetic Surgery operations, a great result and a happy patient depends not only on knowing HOW to operate but more so on knowing WHEN to operate and picking the RIGHT OPERATION for the RIGHT Patient. Your questions touches on 2 issues: SAFETY and QUALITY OF RESULTS when performing a Tummy Tuck on a very large person. For readers who are not familiar with the BMI classification it is an easy way to separate people based on their relation of Weight and Height. A score of 30... more

Realistic BMI is Safer for Tummy Tuck

In general for tummy tuck, you want to have mainly loose skin, and not just loose skin along with fat. There's no standard magic number BMI, but most plastic surgeons would prefer if you're slightly overweight to thin to be the best candidate for tummy tuck. With a BMI of greater than 30, I'm afraid you should lose overall body weight before considering a tummy tuck. After getting clearance from your family doctor, please consider exercise with a personal trainer,... more

Tummy Tuck Risks

Dear sweetred, When it comes to elective surgery such as a tummy tuck, consider safety first. At a BMI of 39.62, which is essentially morbidly obese, the risks of a tummy tuck are significantly increased. The risks of a tummy tuck can be further elevated by a number of other factors such as your overall health, diabetes, smoking, presence of abdominal scars or hernias, etc. I would recommend losing weight first, not just for the sake of your tummy tuck, but for your overall health and... more

Safe BMI for tummy tuck

All surgical procedures have risks. Many of those risks increase for patients who are extremely overweight. If you are able to lose more weight, you would become a better candidate for the procedure. You have the power to decrease your risk through diligent diet and exercise now. You will also have a better looking result if you are at a lower weight when you do your tummy tuck.