BMI = 39.62: Is it Safe to Have a Tummy Tuck to Remove Excess Skin?

That BMI is high of course and does give me pause.  I just checked the data for my practice and it is rare for us to do an abdominoplasty on patients with a BMI over 40.  One problem is that at this weight it may not be possible to completely repair the muscular "diastasis" and it would be a shame to go to the trouble of a tummy tuck without correcting the muscle malalignment.

Having said that, there are some patients with very large frames and admittedly are obese, who have an apron of tissue overhanging their pubic area and these patients can be very happy to have this apron removed, accepting that they still have an abdominal protuberance afterward.

You don't have to be at an ideal body weight to be a candidate and to be pleased with your result.  Often, it can be a motivator.  If it were so easy to lose weight, patients would have done it already, so in the real world this psychological advantage of having a flatter tummy after surgery can be important and a catalyst for patients who before were discouraged.

Ideally, you should get started on the good habits of diet and excercise, start losing weight, and then have a tummy tuck.  You don't want to have a tummy tuck, be inactive for a month, continue eating to excess and gain weight.  That would spell disappointment.

Based on your BMI alone I would not recommend a tummy tuck for you at this time. There are more complications associated with obese patients and tummy tuck surgery. I would plan on losing some weight to get your BMI under 30 in order to become a better candidate for this procedure. Also, as you lose weight, you will develop more excess skin which can better be addressed at the time of the tummy tuck. Generally speaking, you will have a better, safer outcome if you have a tummy tuck at a lower body weight.

Of course the BMI does not give me the entire picture, so I would consult with a plastic surgeon now and have a plan outlined for you.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

The BMI is used to stratify risk in surgery. Ideal candidates for body contouring surgery will have a BMI under 30. Surgical risks and post op complications increase above 30. Once the BMI is above 35 the risks become prohibitive. In fact in my practice, I would discuss a limited panniculectomy with you but would not offer you an abdominoplasty.

Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who does body contouring after significant weight loss to review this with you further. Your final result and the safety factor of the surgery will be dramatically improved with weight loss prior to body contouring.

I hope this was helpful.