Higher BMI, diabetes can I have a tummy tuck?

Thanks for your question. At my practice, the max Body Mass Index (BMI) limit for a Tummy Tuck is 33. Based on the information you provided, you are over the appropriate limit for a Tummy Tuck. Also, your doctor would need to clear you for surgery based on your diabetes. I would recommend consulting with your primary care physician on a proper diet for you to bring down your BMI in order to be able to undergo the procedure. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Stay safe and take care. Moises Salama MD, board certified plastic surgeon

Thank you for your question about.
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​It is best to be at a stable weight that you can realistically maintain after surgery.  If your weight changes significantly, then this makes the results unpredictable.

Your surgeon may require you to complete additional testing for determine if surgery would be safe.

To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

I hope this helps.

With your HgA1C, it is not ideal but it is not bad either. Different surgeons have different requirements and thresholds. Some surgeons may be okay with that number if your primary care physician has cleared you medically and that you understand that you may be at higher risk for complications, especially with a high BMI. In your case, lowering your BMI to lower level coupled with the same HgA1C may be completely acceptable.

Thank you for your question. You need to be able to balance a surgeon who is willing to do your surgery, and a surgeon who wants to do the right and safe thing by you. Your diabetes, HB A1c, and BMI are all rest factors for surgical wound healing. Additionally if you are planning on losing weight, after this would be an ideal time to get a tummy tuck in order to get rid of the excess skin. Good luck.

Dear Awesome45623,
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 surgery, I would suggest you 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

There are many factors to consider when deciding if a person is a candidate for a tummy tuck. You would first need to lose weight and get your diabetes under good control before considering a tummy tuck. For elective plastic surgery it is recommended that a patient have a BMI of 30 or below. Those above this threshold are at higher risk of complications such as seroma, poor wound healing, and infection. It also gives your surgeon the opportunity to maximize your results.

If you are keeping your sugars below 200, preferable below 150, you should be able to have surgery. Once you start having elevated sugars, you are at more risks for wound infections and healing problems. Go on insulin if you need to control your sugars well.

Sorry for your issues. You do not include a photo.

Tour better choice is weight loss surgery such as an endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, balloon, or medication semiglutide. A sleeve or balloon can be done trans orally as an outpatient. These are very effective in loosing weight and controlling your diabetes. After weight loss you can then get your body contouring.

No reputable plastic surgeon would do a tummy tuck for you in your current condition.

Good luck.

Obese patients are not good candidates for tummy tuck surgery both in regards to results and in regards to risk.
For that reason I suggest you focus your priorities on weight loss. If you want to look better than losing weight is probably your first step.
With successful weight loss you’ll become a much better candidate for a tummy tuck.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!
BMI, or body mass index (weight in kg / square of height in meters) is one criterion to determine the results and safety of a cosmetic surgery. You can find BMI calculators on the internet. If your BMI is greater than 30, the cosmetic result will not be optimal. If your BMI is greater than 35, your operative risk will rise. We recommend that you be at a healthy comfortable stable body weight at the time of surgery. The cosmetic effect improves with lower BMIs.
Abdominoplasty is considered a major operative procedure, and as such, I would recommend a regimen of diet and exercise to reach a safe and healthy body weight. If not achievable, one may consider a bariatric procedure such as a therapeutic gastric sleeve to achieve dramatic weight loss. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon or bariatric surgeon for in-person evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...