Is 71 Years Too Old for Tummy Tuck?

Question

71 year old. 2 wks ago had neck lift. did fine. cleared by doctors after 20 plus years with rapid heart beat condition, using metropol 25MG each day with no more pt's. Also taking anti seizure, and tia meds after a recent blurred vision issue. no more incidents. I was cleared by heart and neurologist that my 2 hour neck lift procedure would not be a problem. What advice do you have for me.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question! Age alone is not a contraindication 
to a surgical procedure.  There are a few medical 
comorbidities that contribute to a higher risk during any surgical 
procedure including infections, wound complications, delayed wound 
healing, bleeding, anesthetic risks, etc. Factors such as diabetes, 
hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart problems, lung problems, 
etc are more common in the elderly.  However, if you are healthy, or 
these conditions are well-controlled, you would certainly still be a 
candidate for a surgical procedure.  If your complaints or desires are 
great enough to consider the surgical option, I would seek a 
consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your complaints and go 
over the options as well as risks and benefits of the procedure.You
 should obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician that 
you 
are at an acceptable risk for undergoing a surgical procedure. For 
elective or aesthetic procedures, your surgeon may want to get you to a 
reasonable health status prior to consideration for a procedure.  
Discuss all of 
your medical comorbidities and medication with your surgeon prior and 
discuss these risks.  Also, discuss this with your anesthesiologist as 
proper monitoring and medications will be watched closely.  This 
procedure should still be very safe for you and hope for an 
uncomplicated course with an excellent result!  Hope that this helps! 
Best wishes!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck presents a more significant stress on your cardiovascular system when compared to a neck lift. However, there are numerous variations on this procedure that make it difficult to advise you without knowing more. These procedures can run from 1 hour up to 4 depending on what is done.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	Your age is not as much of a concern as the medical problems you have experienced.

	As my colleagues have noted (and I agree), your risks (generally speaking) will be higher with a tummy tuck than with a neck lift.

	I would want to have a conversation with your cardiologist, your medical doctor, and your neurologist,  in which we reviewed your history in detail, as well as the details of the operation planned, to be sure you were at low risk of a serious complication before considering this procedure.

Hayley Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are healthy, and a good candidate for surgery, there can be no "age-limit" on surgery. Your plastic surgeon can assess your benefit vs. risk and let you know whether or not to proceed.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Is 71 Years Too Old for Tummy Tuck?
	71 year old. 2 wks ago had neck lift. did fine. cleared by doctors after 20 plus years with rapid heart beat condition, using metropol 25MG each day with no more pt's. Also taking anti seizure, and tia meds after a recent blurred vision issue. no more incidents. I was cleared by heart and neurologist that my 2 hour neck lift procedure would not be a problem. What advice do you have for me.

	For me to operate on a patient, it is not a matter of age, it is more so how healthy they are or what medical problems that patient has.  From what you describe, if you came to see me for a tummy tuck given all that you have said, eventhough you have clearance from other medical doctors, I would not consider you a surgical candidate and I would not offer a tummy tuck procedure for you.  Sorry, I understand the medical clearance which I always obtain in these cases but ultimately it is the surgeons decision as he or she is really the only one who knows what a tummy tuck entails and the recovery involved and the insult that the body takes. 

	Good luck.

Sean Younai, MD, FACS · Answer

I have performed abodminoplasty and other body contouring procedures on several women who were in their 70s. As long as you are in good physical condition and your cardiologist and neurologist clears you for a 3-4 hour surgery under general anesthesia, you should in general do well. altimately, it is the decision of your surgeon and the board certified anesthesiologist who are going to perform your procedure.

	good luck.  Sean Younai, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post.  Age is not a contraindication to surgery.  Poor health is. If you are a healthy adult, and interested in a tummy tuck surgery, meet with a board certified plastic surgeon.  He or she will assess you as a patient for any risks you might have.  The biggest risks are heart disease, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and previous history of deep venous thrombosis. Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

NO! If you have a full medical clearance than I see no reason not for you to have a tummy tuck. Seek in perrson evaluations from boarded surgeons.

Tracy Pfeifer, MD · Answer

Hi,

	The neck lift operation and a tummy tuck operation are different in terms of recovery, stress on the body and type/incidence of complications.  A tummy tuck is more stressful for the patient.  It is not a question of age.  With health issues as you described, I would not perform a tummy tuck for you.  Hope this helps.

	Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Regarding: "Is 71 Years Too Old for Tummy Tuck?
	71 year old. 2 wks ago had neck lift. did fine. cleared by doctors after 20 plus years with rapid heart beat condition, using metropol 25MG each day with no more pt's. Also taking anti seizure, and tia meds after a recent blurred vision issue. no more incidents. I was cleared by heart and neurologist that my 2 hour neck lift procedure would not be a problem. What advice do you have for me."

	Cosmetic Surgery is REAL surgery with real risks. Although we usually feel that physiologic age is more important in suggesting risk that chronological risk, you are not exactly risk free. Having a fast heart rhythm, a potential source for transient ischemic attacks (IE mini, temporary strokes) and seizures is not the picture of health. I would be very curious based on what the cardiologist cleared you (? impression VS Treadmill exam).

	If your cardiologist cleared you based on a Stress Test and fully understands the higher risks of a Tummy Tuck (VS a Neck Lift), only then I would seriously CONSIDER performing an Abdominoplasty on you. There is no doubt that you are in a much higher risk category because of your age and medical history.

	Dr. Peter Aldea