I'm 62 years old. I have HBP, thyroid, cholesterol. Can I get a tummy tuck?

It is not unusual for patients in need of a tummy tuck to have medical problems. In fact, having a tummy tuck will reduce the amount of body fat which may even help reduce the severity of some medical problems theoretically. It might be wise to review your goals in person with a board certified plastic surgeon who can direct you to the next steps.

All surgical procedures, whether elective cosmetic procedures or life saving emergency procedures, have a risk to benefit ratio.  High benefits with minimal risks are generally the ideal types of surgical procedures.  Risks of surgery and anesthesia rise with medical problems such as Hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and obesity.  If medical issues are well controlled, they may not appreciably increase risks significantly.  Evaluation by a board certified Plastic Surgeon can help you determine if you are a candidate for the surgery.  As an essential part of your preoperative surgical planning and preparation, your Primary Care Physician should perform a pre-anesthetic medical evaluation to determine your risk/benefit profile for your desired surgery.  If medically "cleared" to proceed with surgery and anesthesia, you can then decide with the help of your Plastic Surgeon, whether the benefits of your surgery will outweight the potential risks of the surgery and anesthesia.Good luck with your surgery!