What Should Be my BMI to Have a Tummy Tuck?

The BMI is an important measure for body contouring surgery as the risks and complications from body contouring increase with a BMI above 30. They increase dramatically above 35.

Ideally you would be within 10- 15 lbs of your ideal body weight to achieve your greatest cosmetic result. Seek out a board ceritfied plastic surgeon to evaluate you and offer guidance.

I have recently begun a very effective dietary program to help my patients achieve their goal weight prior to surgery with great results.

Good luck 

Hi! To achieve the best cosmetic results and reduce the risk of complications, patients should be at their ideal weight with a BMI of around 30. Patients considering childbirth or significant weight loss should first consult a board-certified doctor, who may advise deferring surgery until their weight is stable.

One's #weight, and more specifically body mass index (#BMI), need to be considered when determining if one is a candidate for surgery. Studies have shown that patients with BMI > 30kg/m sq (placing them in the obese category) have a higher complication rate. Therefore, it is important for patients to be as close as possible to their normal body weight prior to surgery for at least six months.Begin with an in-person, one-on-one consultation to determine if you are an ideal #candidate and which technique is best for you. Most importantly, your procedures should be performed by a #Plastic Surgeon who is board-certified and has a great deal of experience specializing in cosmetic #surgery. You will then greatly improve your chances of getting the result you desire, and, without the need for a revision surgery.

There are many BMI calculators on the internet. Most surgeons prefer to have the BMI be less than 30 to reduce the risk of complications.

I think the standard for most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons is nothing over 30 BMI.  I also saw that the other surgeons on this website suggested the same thing but maybe just a little more reassurance that you are receiving the most accurate information is important.  It is great that this issue is one of your concerns. Knowledge is very important before making an important decision to have plastic surgery. Good Luck!

There is no absolute criteria for tummy tuck.  My best advice is for you to be at your normal weight.  This means the weight that you maintain from day to day during your normal routine - going to work, etc.  It is unrealistic for you to loose 30 pounds, then have surgery, then go back to your regular routine because you are more than likely going to just gain the weight back again.  If you have surgery at your normal weight and then go back to your normal routine, your results will be more realistic and enduring.

 

Good Luck.

In general, your BMI should be less than 30.  However, if you are more muscular than average, then a high BMI is acceptable, and if you have little muscle, maybe your BMI should be in the 25 range or lower.

Also, a good candidate for a tummy tuck should have loose skin and soft tissue that hangs, as well as mainly external fat.  If you have any internal fat, than a tummy tuck or liposuction can't address that fat, since it's inside your abdominal cavity and inaccessible to surgery.

I wish you the best of luck !

Ideally, your BMI should be in the normal range for your height and weight. Most of my patients are between 24-30 BMI. To achieve a good result from an abdominoplasty in someone who is overweight, the fat has to extraabdominal and not visceral or intrabdominal. When I examine my patients requesting a tummy tuck, I have them lay supine. If they have a protuberant abdomen, I can't give them a completely flat abdomen due to the excess intraabdominal fat. This can only be reduced with a change in dietery intake and exercise.

There is no perfect BMI.   However, BMI is not insignificant.  Your plastic surgeon will assess your abdomen.  One of the relative contraindications for a tummy tuck is excessive intra-abdominal obesity (excessive fat inside your belly sitting next to your bowels).   Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck.

Thanks for the question.

The BMI is calculated off of weight and height. A "normal" BMI falls in the range of roughly 18.5-24.9. Depending on your parameters, the BMI is easily calculated.  To ensure optimal results with a tummy tuck, I would make the effort to be at your ideal BMI prior to the procedure.

Best of luck, 

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS