Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,297 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,715 people and 861 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

How Safe is Tummy Tuck for a Diabetic?

asked 2 years ago by bluesybell in Ireland
Latest answer by Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Question viewed 904 times
Tags: weight loss, side effects

I have recently been diagnosed as a diabetic and need to lose a substantial amount of weight. I think I may be left with a large flap of skin in my abdominal area and I was considering saving up to have a Tummy tuck a year or two from now.

But I am concerned about having such an operation as I am diabetic and I have been told that it's very important that I avoid injuries that involve bleeding as they may take a while to heal and would therfore leave me susceptible to infection. So, is it safe?

8 answers to How Safe is Tummy Tuck for a Diabetic?

+2

Tummy Tuck in 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... more
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

+1

Diabetes and cosmetic surgery

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!
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

+1

Diabetes and Tummy Tuck

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... more
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

A diabetic can have Tummy Tuck safely

You should not be overly worried. If you can lose the weight, then it is very reasonable that, once your entire situation has been completely stable for awhile, you might go forward with body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty. Be positive and optimistic and I'm sure you will do well.
Bruce K. Barach, MD

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

+1

Not as safe as in a non-diabetic but still possible

A tummy tuck in a diabetic carries more risk because of blood flow concerns than in a non-diabetic.  Therefore it is critical that you choose a very experienced surgeon and do everything possible to optimize your health and weight preop to reduce the risks as much as  possible.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Diabetes and tummy tuck

The most important thing you mentioned is the fear that you will be left with hanging skin that would require a tummy tuck. So you grasp the importance of weight loss and control as a primary step in diabetic treatment. This might even make your diabetes go away or certainly less dangerous. Hopefully you will achieve this goal and attain an optimal healthy and stable lifestyle. Then your tummy tuck will be less risky. Depending on the severity of your diabetes (presence of hypertension,... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is safe with tight control of your sugar

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... more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck healing in patients with diabetes

Without a doubt, diabetes has negative consequences on healing after tummy tuck. It's important that you are aware of that prior to surgery. That being said, with proper control of blood glucose levels, it is not a contraindication to surgery. Provided you have a well-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon, even should you develop problems with healing, it can be managed. In most patients that develop healing complications, local wound care and delayed scar revisions can help lead to... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question