BMI requirements for surgery: am I doomed?

Question

I am having trouble locating a dr that will give me a MMO due to my BMI. I am short and the majority of my weight is in my tummy area. I've struggled with weight loss for years and ant seem to get down even close to what they want for surgery. My issue is that I am perfectly healthy according to my doctors and I am happy with my body. Aside from my muscles being ruined in my stomach after pregnancy and the apron I now have. I don't mind my weight. Am I doomed here?

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question!
It's important to be at a healthy/stable weight with a BMI of 32 or under. Healing /wound issues can happen when your BMI is higher. Schedule a consultation with a board certified palstic surgeon to discuss your options and concerns. Best wishes!

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

It depends on your health and your BMI. If you are considered “obese” you may need to lose some weight before proceeding. There are so many options available to assist patients with weight loss to get them to an operable BMI. Reach out to my office to book a consultation and we can go over options. Smith Plastic Surgery 702-838-2455

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. There is a Body Mass Index (BMI) requirement that patients must meet for the mommy makeover surgery. At my practice, the mommy makeover max BMI is 33. This is based on your height and weight. Since you say are over the BMI limit, I would recommend consulting with your primary care physician on a proper diet for you to bring down your BMI in order to be able to undergo the procedure. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take Care, Moises Salama MD, board certified plastic surgeon

Rafael Arenas, MD · Answer

There are 2 types of fat, subcutaneous and visceral fat. Visceral fat is the belly fat and the one that can increase the risk of having chronic conditions as well the one that can increase the risk on surgery. It is recommended to have a 30BMI or under to get a plastic procedure done so the aesthetic result is better and done on a safer way. If the BMI is the main factor that is not letting you get the surgery there are different options ( diet plan, excrescences, bariatric consultation) so you can reach the weight goal, get the surgery with lesser risks and the final result you are looking for. Good luck!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not told us your height and weight so we do not know what your BMI is. Also, a mommy makeover has a variety of components to it. Some can be done with a higher BMI and some cannot. One thing that can be done is liposuction. Liposuction can safely remove 10 lbs during one session and the sessions can be repeated if necessary. More information is needed to give a more accurate answer.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

HI dj,

Even though you are very healthy ,according to your primary care doc, if you are very overweight, your risks with an extensive Mommy Makeover are much higher than if you were closer to a healthy weight.
The most dangerous potential risk would be a blood clot in your legs that could potentially cause a pulmonary embolism which might result in a long hospitalization, need to go on blood thinners for a prolonged period of time and could even result in death.
  If you are very overweight, your surgeon may not be able to give you the best cosmetic result in the abdominal area, because there could be intra abdominal fat as well which is typically not touched in a MM with an abdominoplasty
Also, if you are overweight, the risl for a breakdown of your incisions is more likely as well.

With all these potential risks, it is better if you could get down to a healthier weight in order to achieve the best results for you.

Hope this helps a bit.

Best Wishes and Good Luck,

Dr. Christine Rodgers

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

It is not possible to give specific advice without knowing more, especially what your BMI is. Studies show a strong correlation between BMI and risk of serious complications, some life-threatening. Body type can factor in, so sometimes there is room for clinical judgment.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Regardless of your sense of feeling healthy, risks of surgery of any kind in patients with BMI over 30 are 3-4 time higher than in population with normal BMI! In your case (considering TT, liposuction, breast lift/reduction) that means that chances for blood cloths (vein thrombosis), wound separation, skin necrosis, fat necrosis, prolonged drainage, infection, etc. are significant. Loosing weight and getting your BMI at 30-33, will allow you to proceed with desired surgeries, possibly in stages (TT/lipo, followed with breast lift etc.). In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience in body contouring surgery to help you evaluate and stage your surgeries, is recommended. Good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Without photographs or knowing your full medical history it is difficult to comment on your particular situation.  BMI requirements are there to help maintain patient safety while maximizing surgical outcomes so feel confidant that your surgeons have your best interest in mind and ask if there are alternate options for you to get to surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear djcacciatore123,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

BMI requirements for surgery: am I doomed?

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