Am I an extended Tummy Tuck candidate? (Photo)

Question

I am 34 year old at 5’4 and 245 pounds seeking a tummy tuck. I’ve been told no by a few surgeons without consultation due to my BMI. However, my PCP has given me a surgery clearance as I have no known health problems. I have lost 127 pounds and had 5 pregnancies with 3 cesareans. I have maintained my current weight for just short of five years now.

Robert L. Steely, MD, FACS · Answer

Good afternoon!

congrats on your weight loss!  I know it was a difficult journey.  Despite your high BMI, many times we can help patients lie yourselves with procedures to remove skin and fat similar to an abdominoplasty.

Be sure to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area versed in these procedures.

i hope this helps.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

An obese BMI of 42 should not be ignored. A high BMI puts you at elevated risks for a variety of health problems, ranging from the inconvenient and embarrassing to the deadly. High BMIs are associated with Type II diabetes which could lead to blindness, amputation and even death. Hypertension which can lead to cardiovascular problems is another problem associated with a high BMI. Urinary stress, osteoarthritis, cancer, and sleep apnea are often caused by a high BMI. The risks of complications during and after surgery and less than optimal results would not justify a TT at this time.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Original449962,
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 a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At 5'4 and 245 lbs, your BMI is 42. If you underwent surgery at this time, because of the thickness of your fat layer, your wounds would dehisce whether you did a tummy tuck, panniculectomy or circumferential lift. I recommend you begin a low fat diet, core exercises such as sit-ups, planks, pilates and consult with a bariatric surgeon. Another alternative to consider is liposuction. 10 lbs can be safely removed during one session and the procedure can be repeated if necessary. You would need to lose approximately 50 lbs.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Gary Burton, MD · Answer

Hello, I believe you are a good candidate for an extended tummy tuck, but you need to lose weight, mainly because I consider that it is not safe to do a tummy tuck with your BMI and it is also better to meet your expectations and obtain an optimum results.

Bruce K. Smith, MD · Answer

While you may not be a candidate for a full abdominoplasty, you are a candidate for panniculectomy with liposuction. If you were able to lose 130 lbs., I am sure you practice some level of diet and exercise. The huge apron of skin in the lower abdomen can make further weight loss with exercise very difficult. A panniculectomy removes that apron of excess skin and fatty tissue only (no abdominal wall plication or tightening). This will make it easier to exercise and reduce further to your ideal BMI in preparation for a circumferential belt lipectomy or lower body lift procedure. Congratulations on your weight loss, Keep it up!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss!  With your BMi being at 42 you are at much higher risk of complications from surgery including poor wound healing, infection, and seroma.  It is best if you continue your efforts to lose more weight before considering elective plastic surgery.  Lowering your BMI will also give your surgeon the opportunity to maximize your results.

Felix Omar Márquez, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for your question and photos. We recommend reducing at least 30 BMI to get the best results. If you go to the operating room now, you will not have the results that you want. If you can't reduce weight, you should consider going to a bariatric procedure to reach your optimal weight, and then go under Tummy Tuck. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Your primary care doctor may give you clearance for cosmetic surgery but it is not your primary care Doctor Who will be doing six months of wound care when you fall apart after an extended tummy tuck with wounds that are 2 feet long.

Fat doesn’t hold stitches very well and relying only on the skin layer to hold the skin edges together may be insufficient in some on your size.

When the skin edges or sutures fail won’t separation called dehiscence can happen,  if you have an extended tummy tuck then you’ll also be putting pressure on the incision while sleeping.

Doing the procedure at your current weight put your increased risk for wound healing complications and you should ask yourself if you’re willing to take the chance of that.

You would definitely benefit from a wraparound tummy tuck a.k.a. body lift.

You’ll become a much much better candidate with sufficient weight loss.

I would encourage you to do what you can to lose weight before having the procedure. It will make it safer and you’ll have a much better outcome.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

William J. Koenig, MD (retired) · Answer

Great job on the weight loss and maintaining the weight for several years!  Your BMI is still high (42) which puts you over the limit for many out patient surgery centers.  This is why some offices will not even see you for safety reasons.    I would search for plastic surgeons  in hospital based plastic surgery practices who deal with large weight loss patients.   Good luck

Am I an extended Tummy Tuck candidate? (Photo)

Answers (10)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Am I considered a candidate for a tummy tuck/lipo procedure? (Photo)

Tummy tuck and body fat percentage question

Am I a good candidate for a TT with Lipo?

Would Blue Cross Blue Shield cover my tummy tuck while getting a breast reduction?

Should I still wear compression garments if my surgeon uses tubular bandage after tummy tuck?

Can someone explain more about hormone therapy for before and after tummy tuck, liposuction, etc.?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS