Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Is BMI a Factor for Full-tummy Tucks, Like It is for Mini-tummy Tucks?

Is a mini-tummy tuck procedure only advised for patients with low BMIs? How about full- tummy tucks? Does a full-tummy tuck give options to more people? Is the weight and BMI criteria more flexible?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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BMI and abdominoplasty

Overweight and obese patients have a higher complication rate than patients who are HWP. Also, high BMI patients do not get nearly as nice of results as those who are HWP. If an overweight or obese patients has a lot of intraabdominal fat, body contouring will not be very helpful and is not likely worth the risk for the small benefit gained. As for mini tummy tucks, it is a rare patient who is a good candidate. The problem needs to be limited to below the umbilicus and... more

High BMI increases risks of complications with tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that does the things that you can't do with diet and exercise: tighten loose skin, repair muscle separation (rectus diastasis) and remove localized fat that is out of proportion. Overweight patients have a higher risk of both major and minor complications so electing to do a tummy tuck in that situation changes the risk/benefit ratio.

BMI and Tummy Tuck

For any body contouring procedure, patients closer to their target weight will reduce their potential for complications and increase the likelihood of a successful result. The actual BMI is used more or less by surgeons depending on the individual preferences of the surgeon. see video

BMI and Full vs Mini Tummy Tuck?

Whether you are advised to have a full vs mini tummy has to do with many factors other than your BMI. If you have significant skin laxity both in your upper and lower abdomen, and/or separation of your rectus muscles (muscle wall bulge), then you will more likely need a full tummy tuck rather than a mini tummy tuck. The mini tuck is usually only applicable to the person with only a modest amount of laxity in their lower abdomen and miminal muscle wall bulge. If you have a significantly... more

BMI and tummy tuck

Certainly it is better for a patient to be at their goal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck, but if you are close it is probably ok.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

BMI a factor for surgery tummy tuck and others

Increasing BMI is a risk factor for full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck and many other surgeries. It is not only a risk factor for complications, but having a high BMI is also a set up for either a bad outcome for a poor cosmetic result. For optimal cosmetic results, weight loss is recommended to achieve better aesthetic outcomes.

BMI an important factor to consider with major surgery

A person's BMI should be a consideration when "significant" surgery is being contemplated (such as your example of a full tummy tuck versus a mini tummy tuck). It reflects directly on a person's anesthetic risk as well as on those associated with surgery. A high BMI translates into a higher rate of complications than someone at a significantly lower BMI. The aesthetic outcome is also affected by this as well.

BMI & Tummy Tucks

Actually the BMI is more important, in my opinion, for a full tummy tuck than it is with a mini-tummy tuck. In fact, I sometimes suggest a mini-tummy tuck for patients with a BMI >30. A full tummy tuck is a procedure which is most beneficial to women who have normal BMIs, but have excess skin.

Body Mass Index and Tummy Tucks

In general mini tummy tucks are for people who have only a little excess skin and minimal fat that needs to be removed for improvement in their abdominal contour. Most patients that I see in my Austin, Texas plastic surgery practice fall into the full tummy tuck box. A full tummy tuck usually tightens abdominal muscles and repositions the belly button as well as removing extra skin and fat. This is typically more appropriate for heavier patients. BMI is an important... more

Mahlon Kerr, MD

17 reviews

Austin Plastic Surgeon

BMI and Tummy Tucks

The BMI does play a role in safety of anesthesia in an outpatient setting, no matter what kind of surgery is done. It is not so much a factor in choosing mini tucks (which are done much less often) vs a full tummy tuck. BMI is just a number ratio between your height and weight and weight may be carried in different body parts. See a aurgeon for a consultation, but if your BMI is high he may advise weight loss before any type of surgery for your safety.

BMI & Tummy Tuck

BMI, overall physical appearance, fat distribution and body proportions are important to consider with any type of tummy tuck. A complete evaluation is the best way to start.

WHY is a HIGH BMI a Factor in Full-tummy Tucks?

A high BMI (over 30) describes either obesity or if over 40, morbid obesity. Numerous studies have shown that obesity is associated not only with modest to poor cosmetic improvements but also with a distinctively high rate of complications. Since TV and the internet often over-promise and lead to unrealistic expectations in many patients, regardless of their weight and health, it is important to inform women of the consequences of having any body contouring operations while obese or with a... more

Tummy Tuck and Weight Concerns?

Thank you for the question. I do not use a patient's BMI in the “equation” to determine if a patient is take the candidate for tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck surgery. I simply ask patients to try to achieve their long-term stable weight prior to proceeding with surgery. The weight they achieve does not necessarily have to match the BMI on some chart. Achieving the patient's long-term stable weight will decrease the chances that he/she will require further... more