Should Diabetics Avoid Tummy Tuck? Diabetes and Surgery
Tummy Tuck: Q&A
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Should Diabetics Avoid Tummy Tuck?

I am a 19-year type 1 diabetic. I have not had any problems with my weight management through out the course of my life. I exercise regularly and keep tight control of my diabetes. I check my glucose levels about every two hours through out the day. I am now faced with a bulging mid-section after being pregnant and giving birth to a rather large baby (over 10 lbs). My HA1C test during pregnancy was 5.8. I have consulted with two plastic surgeons about getting a Tummy Tuck, and neither of them had a problem with me being diabetic. However, there was one plastic surgeon's office I contacted first and I was flat out refused. I was told that the surgeon would not even consider doing such a procedure on me because I am diabetic. She also warned that I should be cautious of anyone willing to perform the procedure on me. This news is unfortunate for me, because this doctor seems to be very skilled and have great training, not to mention does great work with belly buttons. I am wondering, is what I was told valid or was the person I spoke with speaking irrationally?

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diabetes candidate
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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by My Body in Raleigh, NC
+3

This is a great question that deserves to be discussed at length with an experienced plastic surgeon

Thank you for your great question? First allow me to say that it is imperative that you see a board certified plastic surgeon that is experienced in tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedures. Your physical examination and general health are very important factors. The input from your internist and/or endocrinologist is essential to prepare you for the operation and for monitoring postoperatively. In general, the tummy tuck procedure can be successfully performed in diabetics, but... more
+3

Diabetes is a relative risk

If your diabetes is under good control, an abdominoplasty is possible. The main reasons for reluctance to operate on diabetic patients are healing problems, increase in infections, and concerns with glucose management. A carefully designed and meticulously executed abdominoplasty is certainly possible. A surgeon might have to modify his procedure to fit this increase risk and to avoid undue tension or devascularization to the abdominal flaps. What you don't want to do is to try to talk a... more
+3

Tummy tucks and diabetes

Diabetics can have successful surgeries. Diabetic patients should optimize their health and weight before having surgery. They should also optimize their glucose management. An internist should be on board and assist with the preoperative and postoperative glucose management. The surgeon and anesthesiologist should be skilled with the metabolic problems of diabetes and their management. The surgery should be tailored to the patient's health issues. The risk of having surgery for... more

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+2

Sugar control is the key

It sounds as if you keep a very tight control on your blood sugar and HgA1C. That is probably the most important part of minimizing your risks for surgery. You probably already know that diabetes affects many organ systems in the body, which does equate to some higher risks for surgery. Diabetes is NOT an absolute contraindication to elective cosmetic surgery as long as you understand your risk category. Some plastic surgeons, for many reasons, may elect not to operate on any patient... more
+2

Carefully proceed with the right doctor

IF you are done having children, you could proceed with a tummy tuck IF your diabetes is well controlled and IF you find the right doctor who understands the issues and the technical modifications needed to improve the safety for you, and IF you also understand the increased risk your diabetes places on your surgery. There are many IF's involved here so you must find the right doctor. It is not an absolute contraindication to do a tummy tuck on a diabetic, just a big warning sign to be... more
+1

Diabetics and Tummy Tucks

The performance of a full tummy tuck involves the separation of the tummy skin from ALL its underlying direct (perforators) blood supply and tightening the stretched out underlying abdominal muscles followed by the trimming of the excess skin and re-creating the belly button. For all of this to heal properly afterwards, you must have ample and effective circulation in the tummy skin and adjacent regions. It is a well-acepted fact that diabetics have wound healing complications which are... more
+1

Tummy Tuck and Diabetes

While diabetes is not an absolute contraindication, I would perform the surgery on an individual with diabetes as long as their sugars are well-controlled. Yes, they do have a higher risk of complications. On the other hand, I think you are a bit young at 19 to have a tummy tuck. If you are contemplating having more children, then I would wait.
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