I'm 5'5 and 275lb. Weight comes from my stomach. What is the best procedure for me? (photos)

Question

I'm 5'5 and weigh 275 and i believe all my weight comes from my stomach. I'm really confused about what procedure fits me best and I'm pretty scared to be under anesthesia for so long and seeing the amount of fat i just need a little advice. The procedures that i have been looking into has been the baretric sleeve, high bmi tummy tuck, high bmi lipo 360 with bbl. I have added pictures

Reza Keshavarzi, MD, FACS, FASMBS · Answer

YWith a BMI of 45.8, you are within the range for bariatric surgery, specifically for procedures like the gastric sleeve. Typically, gastric sleeve surgery is considered for individuals with a BMI between 35 and 50, especially when weight loss through diet and exercise alone has been difficult.
Since you carry most of your weight in your abdominal area, a gastric sleeve would likely offer the most comprehensive long-term results. Unlike procedures such as liposuction or a high BMI tummy tuck, which focus only on fat removal in specific areas, gastric sleeve surgery targets overall weight loss, appetite control, and metabolic improvement. It also addresses the health risks associated with obesity, not just the cosmetic concerns.
Many patients who successfully lose weight with the gastric sleeve find that they no longer feel the need for additional cosmetic surgery or can achieve better results if they decide to pursue body contouring later.
Regarding anesthesia:Anesthesia is generally safe, but like any medical procedure, it does carry risks. A full preoperative medical clearance is required before bariatric surgery. This helps ensure that your heart, lungs, and overall health are thoroughly evaluated to minimize any anesthesia-related risks. If you’ve undergone anesthesia for previous procedures without complications, it’s a good indicator that you would tolerate it well again, but a proper evaluation is always necessary.
It’s important to work closely with your healthcare team to determine the safest and most effective plan tailored to your needs.

Jorge Maytorena, MD · Answer

I recommend performing a gastric bypass because it lasts longer to lose weight, that's my opinion.The surgery lasts between 1 hour and 1 1/2, it's really very little anesthesia time

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

Each of the procedures you mentioned – bariatric sleeve, high BMI tummy tuck, and liposuction with BBL – addresses different aspects of weight and body contouring, so choosing the best one depends on your goals, overall health, and the outcomes you're hoping to achieve.
If your primary concern is overall weight loss and improving health, a bariatric sleeve (gastric sleeve) is typically the most effective option. This procedure reduces the size of your stomach, limiting how much you can eat and helping with long-term weight loss. It’s often recommended for individuals with a BMI over 40 or those with significant weight to lose. Since you mentioned most of your weight is in your stomach, the sleeve can help reduce visceral fat, the type that surrounds internal organs and contributes to metabolic issues. Beyond aesthetics, it can improve conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint pain. While the surgery does involve anesthesia, it is generally shorter and safer than more invasive forms of bariatric surgery.
On the other hand, if you are primarily looking for body contouring without significant weight loss, procedures like a high BMI tummy tuck or liposuction with BBL focus more on reshaping your body rather than addressing the root cause of excess weight. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat, which can provide a flatter, more contoured abdomen. However, this is not a weight loss procedure, and it won’t address internal fat around the organs. Liposuction with BBL can redistribute fat to enhance your curves, but it is typically better suited for patients closer to their goal weight.
One important thing to keep in mind is that for individuals at a higher weight, results from contouring procedures may be less dramatic if the underlying issue is significant excess fat. Additionally, these cosmetic procedures don’t offer the same long-term health benefits as bariatric surgery.
If anesthesia and surgery duration are major concerns, it’s worth discussing minimally invasive options like the gastric balloon or endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). These can offer weight loss benefits without permanent alterations to your stomach, and they involve less time under anesthesia.
Ultimately, if weight loss is your main goal, I would recommend having a consultation with a bariatric surgeon to discuss the sleeve in more detail. They can assess whether you are a candidate and address your concerns about surgery. If your focus is purely cosmetic, consulting with a plastic surgeon who specializes in high BMI procedures could help you explore tummy tuck or liposuction options.

Islam Abdelkhalek, MD · Answer

Any of the weight loss surgeries are suitable for you. It is preferred to postpone tummytuck till you reach an ideal weight after bariatric surgery then you can do it. The suitability of gastric sleeve or gastric bypass and which is better is determined when we have good info and relevant medical conditions that can be determined by simple questionnaire. Generally you will gain your ideal body weight within a year of surgery. Hope that helps

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello!!

Hope you are well and hank you for your question! 
I think you are an excellent candidate for the gastric sleeve, I recommend this procedure because it has a positive metabolic effect, many comorbidities such as diabetes, cholesterol and sleep apnea improve soon after the surgery, desire to eat decreases and more. The sleeve has a succesful rate among patients, just make sure to get your evaluation from a professional, this way you can evaluate all the available options for your particular case.
Also in this case, the anesthesia would be general and it is very safe with the correct team of doctors, it is a short procedure, which reduces the risks; quite the opposite in a plastic surgery in your case
Hope my answer helped you!

I'm 5'5 and 275lb. Weight comes from my stomach. What is the best procedure for me? (photos)

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I'm 5'5 and 275lb. Weight comes from my stomach. What is the best procedure for me? (photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Best procedure

Answer: Best procedure

Answer: What is the best procedure for me?

Answer: What is the best procedure for me?

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.