Can a type 1 diabetic get a Tummy Tuck?

As long as your physiologically stable in your diabetes is in control you are satisfactory candidate for an abdominoplasty.

The answer is yes, howver, you should have a stable blood sugar and be diligent in pre and post operative glucose testing.  If you have no other medical issues, your postoperative risks are slightly higher than a patient without medical concerns.  You should google diabetes and surgery so you can address these concerns with your plastic surgeon.

An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a big procedure and therefore good healing potential from the patient is important.  Poorly controlled diabetes can negatively affect healing.  With that said, I have performed tummy tuck surgery on patients with both type one and type two diabetes without any healing issues.  The tummy tuck procedure will have to be modified accordingly to maximize results and minimize the chance of complications.  Proper diabetes control and a medical clearance will also be very important.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Diabetes itself, whether type 1 or 2, does not preclude a patient from having surgery.  That being said, the diabetes must be well-controlled.  In addition, all other medical conditions must be evaluated and taken into consideration when being considered a candidate for surgery.  A recent or new evaluation by a primary care physician is usually preferred prior to surgery.  Diabetes increases the risk of complications, especially wound healing, after surgery.  Make sure to have a thorough discussion with your board certified plastic surgeon regarding all of the above.

Thank you for your post.  Diabetes is a disease that should demand a healthy respect from both surgeon and patient in plastic surgery.  It is a disease that affects the immune system and can increase the risk of infection, a disease that affects the healing potential of a wound and can cause opening of a wound, and is a disease of the circulation that can lower the blood flow to the operated tissue and cause necrosis or tissue death.  This needs to be managed as follows:1. Tight blood glucose control with diet, exercise, and medication. You need to see your internal medicine doctor regularly and make sure your diabetes is well controlled.  2. If you are overweight, then losing weight decreases your risk in tummy tuck surgery or any other surgery for that matter.3. If you have high blood pressure, this needs to be managed and well controlled by your internal medicine doctor as well.4. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!5. Consider with your surgeon HyperBaric Oxygen therapy pre- and post-op.6. Make sure you understand from your surgeon and anesthisiologist what medications you should take or not take prior to surgery.It is very possible to have a great outcome as a diabetic following tummy tuck surgery, but minimizing the risk is the most rational way of accomplishing this.Best Wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD

Well controlled diabetes is not a contraindication to tummy tuck surgery and/or other elective plastic surgical procedures. Always best to check with your primary care physician or endocrinologist for “medical clearance” prior to surgery.  Managing your diabetic medications around the time of surgery (to avoid hypo as well as hyperglycemia), while you will have altered oral intake, will be important.  I hope this, and the attached link, helps. Best wishes.

The short answer is probably ,yes.If your diabetes is well controlled,no other major medical issues like heart disease,not obese,no history of skin infections or necrososis and non smoker.You obviously would wish to be reviewed carefully by your other physicians to make sure they agree it is reasonably safe.