Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck and lower body list or should I work on my health before moving forward? (photo)

My honest and ethical recommendation will be to stay where you may be fully covered by your medical insurance.
Your medical background makes you automatically a high risk patient, all must be under control. Plus you have wonderful opportunity to become better prepared for surgery: 1 hour daily moderate cardio exercise, eat healthier to help your tissues to heal better, prepare mentally to be ready for recovery which it is always challenging. All above will help to have a better outcome.
Losing some weight will help a lot as well.
Be encouraged!!
Dr. Cardenas

Dear Sensible479666,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a tummy tuck, 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello Sensible479666, and thank you for your question regarding whether you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck and lower body lift given your health history.

Thank you for providing your history and picture. You mentioned that you had three heart attacks after your gastric sleeve and that you were “not heart healthy for one year.” It’s crucial to clarify what “not heart healthy” means in your context. Before you consider any surgery, especially a major one like a 360 circumferential lower body lift combined with a breast lift, it is essential that you consult with your cardiologist.

A 360 circumferential lower body lift is a significant and lengthy procedure, and it is even more extensive when combined with a breast lift. I strongly recommend that you have a thorough discussion with your cardiologist, informing them of your plans to undergo this surgery. Your cardiac workup should include a stress test and a carotid duplex scan to evaluate the vessels in your neck.

If your cardiologist and internist clear you for surgery, and they believe your body can handle the procedure, you can consider moving forward with it. Waiting another year does not necessarily guarantee improved health. Before any surgery, routine tests like blood work, an EKG, and a chest x-ray should be performed.

Most plastic surgeons would advise that if you’re feeling uncertain or anxious about the surgery, it might be best to wait until you feel more confident and ready. Your health and safety should always come first.

Good luck, and I hope I’ve helped answer your question regarding whether you should proceed with a lower body lift and breast lift.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Considering your general health and extensive procedures that you would like to do, it would be wise to reconsider doing any of these surgeries abroad. What happens if you develop complications like bleeding, severe infection, skin necrosis, complications that are relatively frequent with these surgeries in candidates which have similar health status like yours. These may require prolonged hospitalizations, specialized and prolonged medical care. Do you think you will get it for free in Mexico? Without trying to be rude, I would strongly advise against doing these surgeries abroad and far from your home. Good luck.

This is an excellent question! Your safety is the number one priority in surgery. I encourage you to first take control of your health. You want to work with your primary care doctor and cardiologist to achieve a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Once you have reached your goal and are able to maintain it you are ready to consider plastic surgery. I encourage you to visit with board certified plastic surgeons near you for your health and safety when you have reached this step.

Based on the limited information that you included, I would say you are not a good candidate for major cosmetic surgery at this point.
First and foremost, you need to talk to your cardiologist about seeing if you’re in any shape to have elective cosmetic surgery.
The procedure you are thinking of is a major operation that can go wrong very easily and your chance of having major complications is high.
The chance of you healing with the quality out, without complications is probably less than 40%.
This is absolutely not a procedure to have as a traveling patient in a different country.
You should probably anticipate the need for several months of postoperative care.
You can increase your chance of having quality outcome by first losing sufficient weight.
Being obese will increase the chance of complications, both surgically, and medically in a major way.
Talked to local plastic surgeons to get better insight into the procedure, your candidacy, and what having this procedure actually involves.
I think most plastic surgeons would not recommend moving forward based on the information you provided.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD