What should I have my primary DR check me, before having a tummy tuck? I just want to make sure I'm healthy for a tummy tuck??

I would start by seeing a few board certified plastic surgeons to see if you are a good candidate.  It's never to early to do that especially if you have a lot of questions and concerns.  The extra lead time will give you plenty of time to do lots of research, prepare yourself, optimize your health and fitness level and choose the right plastic surgeon.  And, it will allow you to lose the weight you may need to to get your BMI as ideal as possible (I personally like all my patients to have a BMI less than 25) as this is one of the more important factors that will determine your level of surgical risks, length of recovery and aesthetic outcome.  Being overweight accounts for a majority of the cases that I turn down for a tummy tuck as it is a risk you don't have to take because you can always try to lose weight prior to surgery.  Other risk factors I look for determine a patient's level of risk include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, asthma. low level of fitness and history of smoking.  The more of these risk factors a patient has, the less likely I will want to operate on them.  I typically refer my patients to their PCP to do a complete physical with labs and sometimes an EKG and chest X- ray to fully evaluate them prior to making a decision as to whether or not someone is a good surgical candidate.  I hope this was helpful to you and best wishes.

The first step is to see a plastic surgeon and determine if a tummy tuck is the right option for you. He or she will then be able to make recommendations about what sort of health screening you need. Many plastic surgeons will require that you not smoke or be using any nicotine-containing products and you are at a healthy weight - body mass index (BMI) less than 30.

Your question is a good one and I would begin by seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to review both your options for the procedure as well as their particular protocol when it comes to medical clearances prior to surgery.  Based on your health, the procedure and the surgeon, this could range from no medical clearance required to no surgery recommended, and everything in between.  In general, it's important to be in overall good health with no active medical issues (for example uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiac disease), close to your goal weight and not smoking or using nicotine product prior to surgery.  Your primary doctor is an excellent resource to have a full health work up and management of any chronic medical problems prior to surgery so that you can obtain the best results.Great question and good luck!