I am looking for a doctor who will perform a tummy tuck on a patient with 39 BMI, any suggestions? (Photos)

Question

I am 5'0 200lbs controlled high blood pressure

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Naturally we would like to have all our patients it ideal body weight. Nevertheless many patients are significantly overweight but can get very good results from an abdominoplasty.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  It is an important one: selection of your plastic surgeon will be the most important decision you make when it comes to achieving an outcome that you will be pleased with.
Generally I suggest that patients start with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. 
***Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.  Ultimately it will be important that you feel comfortable that your plastic surgeon have a significant/demonstrable experience consistently achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with.

Besides appropriate training and experience (and certification by the American Board of plastic surgery), looking at before/after photographs (and  preferably talking to previous patients) can be very helpful in this selection process.
 Basically, patients should look at the overall "quality" of the outcomes achieved;  in other words, it will be important that patients see lots of examples of outcomes that they would be pleased with.  In doing so patients will be able to get an idea of each  plastic surgeon's "aesthetic sensibilities".Having said the above, I would caution you about selecting a plastic surgeon based on the fact that he/she will perform the operation for you, while you are overweight. Make sure you understand the downsides (some potentially very serious) of undergoing surgery before you have achieved your long-term stable weight.   Although I do not wish to generalize, I would be concerned that the plastic surgeon who does not recommend weight loss first, potentially lacks experience and/or ethics.

I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Lee B. Daniel, MD · Answer

Typically the best tummy tuck results are seen in patients who are at or near their target weight, which ideally should be in the normal BMI range. A BMI over 30 is considered obese, and the risk for complications increases in patients who are overweight. For the safest procedure and best aesthetic outcome, I suggest working on getting your BMI down to the normal range (18.5 to 24.9) before considering a tummy tuck. Best of luck to you.

Sheldon Lincenberg, MD · Answer

The large amount of internal fat will not allow the tightening of the ab muscles to flatten your belly. However, the removal of the excess fat/skin that overhangs your beltline can improve your appearance and hygeine. This is known as a panniculectomy and it is a much shorter surgery with a quicker recovery (less pain, too). Your results will be 90% of what a tummy tuck can achieve.

Mark Eberbach, MD · Answer

Other posts so far are distracting from good medicine. I will be direct to help you. A tummy tuck will be dangerous for you at this BMI. Based on your photos your result would also be lacking because while you have extra skin you also have much extra inside fat.Your better choice is bariatric surgery to loose the weight. You will live longer, feel better, and can later get a much nicer result.A responsible surgeon will, except under unusual circumstances, decline to do a tummy tuck for you at this time. First do no harm is the proper way to go.Good luck

I am looking for a doctor who will perform a tummy tuck on a patient with 39 BMI, any suggestions? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Abdominoplasty for high BMI patients.

Answer: Abdominoplasty for high BMI patients.

Answer: Tummy tuck with high BMI

Answer: Tummy tuck with high BMI

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I am looking for a doctor who will perform a tummy tuck on a patient with 39 BMI, any suggestions? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Abdominoplasty for high BMI patients.

Answer: Abdominoplasty for high BMI patients.

Answer: Tummy tuck with high BMI

Answer: Tummy tuck with high BMI

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.