My BMI is 34, so can I have a tummy tuck?

As with any surgery we do, the most important job we have is managing expectations with reality. If you are having a "tummy tuck" with the expectation that its going to take care of your lack of exercise and poor diet, unfortunately you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a procedure to remove excess skin so you can exercise and so you won't have recurrent skin breakdown and infections, a panniculectomy (and not a tummy tuck) may be something you need. Remember, its not a cosmetic procedure, its a procedure that will allow you to begin a life change. Good luck, Dr Frank.

Body contouring results are best achieved when BMI is within 10% of normal range. But more important than that is maintaining a stable BMI for a period of three months before surgery

In general, a BMI of > 30-32 does increase the risk of complications in a tummy tuck.  The specific complications that can be increased include wound healing issues such as separation of the incision line as well as increased risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis).  Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to review your options.

losing weight will greatly reduce your surgical risks and certainly improve your results. Seek a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of these procedures and is an expert in this field.

Greetings. It would be wise to loose some weight and lower your BMI before any procedure.  This would help to minimize any potential complications and contribute to a better cosmetic result overall.  With weight loss, your potential result would look much better.  Good luck!

The best long term cosmetic results with the least likelihood of potential complications are achieved in patients who weigh within 10 pounds of their ideal weight and have a BMI less than 30.Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do based without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. Robert Singer, M.D., FACSLa Jolla, California

Thank you for the question. Generally speaking, it is always best to achieve a long-term stable weight prior to proceeding with body contouring surgery. Doing so, will increase the safety of the operation, will likely improve the outcome of the operation, and will decrease chances that additional surgery will become necessary subsequently. In my practice, I do not ask specific patients to achieve a specific weight or BMI prior to proceeding with tummy tuck surgery. I simply ask patients to achieve a long-term stable weight where he/she feels comfortable and does not expect significant fluctuation postoperatively. As you know, recruiting other professionals such as personal trainers, nutritionists, physicians who specialize in weight loss concerns etc. may be helpful to you. When the time is right, seeking consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will be your next/best step. Best wishes.