Age 60. Am I Too Old for a Tummy Tuck?

Hello! Thank you for your question! Age alone is not a contraindication
to a surgical procedure. There are a few medical
comorbidities that contribute to a higher risk during any surgical
procedure including infections, wound complications, delayed wound
healing, bleeding, anesthetic risks, etc. Factors such as diabetes,
hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart problems, lung problems,
etc are more common in the elderly. However, if you are healthy, or
these conditions are well-controlled, you would certainly still be a
candidate for a surgical procedure. If your complaints or desires are
great enough to consider the surgical option, I would seek a
consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your complaints and go
over the options as well as risks and benefits of the procedure.You
should obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician that
you
are at an acceptable risk for undergoing a surgical procedure. For
elective or aesthetic procedures, your surgeon may want to get you to a
reasonable health status prior to consideration for a procedure.
Discuss all of
your medical comorbidities and medication with your surgeon prior and
discuss these risks. Also, discuss this with your anesthesiologist as
proper monitoring and medications will be watched closely. This
procedure should still be very safe for you and hope for an
uncomplicated course with an excellent result! Hope that this helps!
Best wishes!

An in-person consultation with a reputable board certified plastic surgeon is the best way to determine if a tummy tuck is suitable for you. Your general physical and mental health are far more important when considering a tummy tuck than just your age. 

I have done tummy tucks on women into their early 70's with excellent results and without complications.  Haven't you heard, 60 is the new 30? 

 

Your chronological age is less important than your health with reference to having an abdominoplasty surgery.  If you don't smoke, your heart, lungs and kidney are in good shape, and you have been cleared for surgery by your primary physician, then I would say you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. 

 

The only downside to being 60 and having a tummy tuck is that your recovery will take longer than younger people having the same surgery.  In my practice, I have had 20 year olds being able to go back to work 5 days after a tummy tuck.  Most people over 60 take several weeks to a month before they feel they are back to their normal self.  That being said, 60 is not too old and if your Board Certified plastic surgeon says you would be advantaged by a tummy tuck, then I would definitely go for it.

I have had several patients in their 60's that have had a tummy tuck and have done very well. Most importantly is the health of the patient prior to surgery. You seem to be a good candidate, however you need to be evaluated by your surgeon to be sure it would be safe for you. The website link below shows the before and after results of one of my patients that had a tummy tuck at age 62. There are more photos on my website. I wish you best of luck.

If you're healthy you're not too old for a tummy tuck. Just know that you might experience a longer recovery period compared to a younger patient. 

Patients in their 60s and older can be excellent tummy tuck candidates. It depends on the elasticity of your skin, and your overall general health. It would be advisable to have a medical clearance prior to surgery. Consult with 3 board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

Thank you for your post. Age is not a contraindication to surgery. Poor health is. If you are a healthy adult, and interested in a tummy tuck surgery, meet with a board certified plastic surgeon. He or she will assess you as a patient for any risks you might have. The biggest risks are heart disease, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and previous history of deep venous thrombosis. Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

 Thank you for the question. Your age is absolutely not a contraindication to tummy tuck surgery; assuming you are in good health and a good candidate for the procedure you may have an excellent outcome with the procedure. Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.  You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Age alone is not an predictor of how you will do with abdominal contouring/tummy tuck surgery. Your board certified plastic surgeon needs to review your medical history and overall health status to determine if you are medically a good candidate for elective surgery. In addition, your surgeon may request medicine clearance (an evaluation by your PCP or internist before surgery). Best of luck.

Based on your height, weight, and prior satisfactory (and safe) experience with anesthesia, I see no contraindication to your undergoing an abdominoplasty, assuming a board-certified plastic surgeon determines you are a candidate for that procedure. Age is only one factor in determining appropriateness and candidacy for procedures. The surgeon needs to tell you if abdominplasty is the right operation for your aesthetic goals. Obviously, you would need to thoroughly disclose all medical conditions, medications, allergies, prior reactions to anesthesia, family history of anesthesia complications, prior surgeries, etc. as part of a comprehensive consultation. But your age alone should not exclude you.