Lower limit of BMI range for post MWL body contouring?

Dear Persistent123642,
congrats on the weight loss! Generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a surgery, 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the ideal BMI for post-weight loss body contouring. First, let me congratulate you on your incredible 200-pound weight loss—what an achievement!

To address your question, it's true that body contouring at a slightly higher BMI can sometimes produce more noticeable and dramatic results due to the amount of excess tissue removed. However, I don’t recommend striving for dramatic results at a higher BMI. Instead, I encourage patients to focus on reaching and maintaining their lowest achievable and stable BMI before surgery.

Operating at a lower BMI is generally safer and allows for a smoother recovery. Additionally, reducing your BMI as much as possible will minimize the amount of visceral fat, making muscle repair easier and improving the overall contour of your body. Even though your current BMI of 26.7 is within a healthy range, achieving your goal weight and a BMI closer to 24.3 will likely provide a more refined, natural outcome after surgery.

Excess skin can sometimes make it difficult to gauge your true frame. For this reason, it’s important to consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your body composition and help you develop a plan tailored to your goals. With your weight loss success and thoughtful approach, I’m confident you’ll achieve fantastic results.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen