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... more

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... more

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.

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.

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

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

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