Am I a candidate for a mommy makeover with BMI 37? (Photo)

Question

I am a 34 year old mother of two. My kids are 15 months apart. Height 5'10, weight 255. I am wanting to have a tummy tuck with lipo and a breast lift. I have implants that I got when I was 18 and I would like those removed and fat added. I am very healthy, active and don't smoke. I have been big my whole life. Am I a candidate for these procedures even with a high bmi?

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. For a mommy makeover procedure at my practice, there is a body mass index (BMI) limit of 33, which is based on your height and weight. From the info you provided, your BMI is 37 and over the required limit for this surgery. I recommend you speak with your primary care physician to discuss weight loss options so you can be ready for your surgery. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question.
Your BMI should be  a 31 or 32. Healing and safety issues arise when it is higher. It is also best to be at a healthy stable weight prior to having surgery. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

My BMI cutoff for mommy makeover surgery is 30. I have found higher BMI patients have much more frequently complications and it is not worth risking your health.

Frederick W. Ehret, MD · Answer

Thank you for question it brings up a lot of issues that are important to review. First I have a question for you to ponder. Are you happy with your current weight? Understand that no plastic surgery is weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery is bariatric surgery. Plastic surgery is contouring. No plastic surgery will make it harder or easier to gain or lose weight after the surgery. The best time to do any plastic surgery is when you have obtained and maintained the best possible weight that you can. Not everyone will have an optimal BMI before their plastic surgery. BMI is only one factor in the evaluation process. That being said, your BMI is a little high for the procedures you are considering. If you are able to lose weight before the body contouring procedures you mentioned, you will have an easier time with the surgery and a better outcome. An in-person consult is certainly recommended. If you were seeing me for surgery I would be recommending that you attempt to lose some weight before having surgery. If a sincere attempt at weight loss was unsuccessful, then surgery at your current weight could always be considered in the future. 
Not everyone will have an optimal BMI before their plastic surgery. BMI is only one factor in the evaluation profcess. That being said your BMI

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi Kind,From the tummy perspective, it would help to be at a stable weight, whatever that may be, before you see your surgeon. 
BMI 37 is a bit high, but having a realistic discussion with your surgeon about post-op goals would allow your surgeon to determine if those goals are reasonable (and attainable). Your lower abdominal excess could be removed and the flanks liposuctioned...starting in the prone position and wrapping the scar around to the back (an "extended abdominoplasty") would help remove the maximal amount of tissue. With a baseline BMI 37, only so much can be removed, which again speaks to the importance of discussing your expectations with your surgeon.
Best of luck,Chris Pannucci MDSpokane WA

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Your BMI of 37 places you in the obese category when most plastic surgeons are looking for a BMI close to 30 and certainly not over 35. Recommend that you consult with your PCP to identify an exercise and dietary modifications that can adopt to help you lose about 40 pounds. Doing so will enhance results of the MM and decrease the risks of complications during and after surgery.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

With a BMI of 37 you are at a high risk for complications. I recommend you begin a low fat diet, core exercises such as sit-ups, planks, pilates and consult a bariatric surgeon. Liposuction can be safely performed with a BMI of 37 but not explant with breast lift or tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hi there,
most surgery centers will require that you have a BMI of 30 or below to ensure a safe surgery and healthy recovery. You would need to lose about 40lbs. Some surgeons will work with you to come up with a plan on how to get there.

Good luck

Guy Cappuccino, MD · Answer

My short answer would be yes. Of course, I'd ask you if you thought you could lose some weight that you should do it before surgery, even 15 pounds would make a difference in the overall outcome.  That being said, a BMI of 35-38 is about my upper level of where I think the pros outweigh the cons for a healthy patient for a mommy makeover.  You can look at some of my before and afters to see what kind of results can be achieved. I would want you to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon about what kind of results you will have with removal of the implants.  You can achieve a good shape and size, but will not maintain the same upper pole fullness without an implant, even with fat grafting.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Based on your current BMI I would favor you pursue a diet and exercise lifestyle modification to lower your BMI to under 30. Your current BMI would place you a a surgical risk too high to justify any intervention.  Best wishes.