How Safe is Tummy Tuck for a Diabetic?

You're right to be concerned about your diabetes and if you read everybody else's response, it's clearly ok to do the surgery. An in-person consultation will be needed to find the details of your condition and make the ultimate decision of the safetly of this surgery for you.
In my patient population, I'll proceed with surgery as long as their diabetes is well under control and they are a good candidate for the surgery. If your diabetes is not well controlled or you've just not really been checking it, then I would first go about obtaining a Hemoglobin A1C to confirm that your blood sugar levels have been reasonably controlled and I'd review your metabolic profile. These are simple labs that are done routinely prior to surgery for a patient like yourself.
You're already familiar with the possible complications, that doesn't mean that you're going to have them though. Everything lies within a range and your diabetic condition (diet controlled vs subcutaneous insulin pump) is no exception.
One last comment is that your surgeon can take some precautions himself as well. The surgery can be designed to be more conservative by limiting dissection and minimizing tension with internal sutures and less resection, using a binder that fits properly, etcetera.
All of these minor details will help the overall picture. It's not uncommon for body contouring cosmetic surgery patients to have some sort of health condition so I suggest proceeding with your investigation by going to a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hello! Thank you for your question! 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. Diabetes is one that is known to have an increased risk for infections and wound healing issues. There are a number of both systemic and local host factors that can contribute to infections. Whether or not diabetics are truly at greater risk and the magnitude of the effect of diabetes on the risk of infection remain controversial. However, there is a known increased propensity to develop infections and delayed healing. Some of the hyperglycemia-related impairments on the immune response include vascular insufficiency, sensory peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and skin and mucosal colonization with pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species. That being said, well-controlled diabetes should equate a minimal increased risk for the above and surgical procedures still safe and a reasonable decision. You should ensure adequate glucose control always, but also obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician that you are at an acceptable risk for undergoing a surgical procedure. Laboratory results such as HgbA1C is a good measure of control. Discuss all of your medical comorbidities and medication with your surgeon prior and discuss these risks. Measures will be taken to check levels as well as maintain proper glucose control with appropriate fluids and medications. 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!

This is a great question, and the answer is that as long as your sugar level is well controlled you should be okay for your tummy tuck. However, please be aware that your risk of wound healing complications is higher because of the diabetes. But, with safe surgical technique and careful post-operative care you should get a fantastic result. Good luck!

You will be able to have a tummy tuck but your wound healing may be more delayed than someone who is not a diabetic. You are at risk for more wound healing complications.
Having said that, if you are a diabetic that is extremely well controlled then it should not be an issue. You will need to keep your blood sugars below 120 and keep your HbA1c below 6. Those are the two most important parameters and what I look at before offering a patient who is a diabetic cosmetic surgery.

Good luck.

I've done tummy tucks on diabetics, even body lifts after massive weight loss. They healed well without complications. The important thing is that your sugar needs to be tightly controlled. You must follow your internist's instructions closely. Your insulin requirements can change after surgery. I find that in my patients the insulin requitrement decreases significantly. It is important that you loose the weight, again under medical supervision so your medications can be adjusted as you go through a physiologic "transformation". Best of luck.