Plus size tummy tuck? (Photo)

Question

According to BMI standards, I'm a 46 at 5'2". I just want to look smoother in jeans & desire a tummy tuck/liposuction. Are there any plastic surgeons who have experience working  with patients over a BMI of 40? If so, how did the procedure go? No diseases/ health issues. No medications. No previous surgeries. I keep hearing about "be closer to your ideal weight". My ideal weight is not ever to be thin. My ideal "look" is to have a smaller waist in proportion to my hips & the pannus removed.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

It is true that the risk of complications are higher with people with high BMI, but there are several ways to reduce risk, and the operation can be reasonably done as long as expectations are realistic, and it sounds like yours are.  I perform all of my abdominoplasties under deep sedation rather than general anesthesia and that greatly reduces or eliminates the risk of blood clots ( venous thromboembolism).  Wound healing complications are the highest risk, and gentle handling of tissues and minimizing electrocautery to reduce thermal injury to tissues makes a difference. I do not think there is any reason why you can't undergo surgery with reasonable risk given that you are otherwise in good health, but it is important to choose an experienced surgeon.  I have done many patients with high BMI with good outcomes, as long as the patient understands that weight loss of greater than 30-40 pounds after surgery will result in loose skin, and the key word for outcome is substantial improvement, not total correction.

Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB · Answer

I understand your concerns. This is something I usually refer my patients to for bariatric surgery. Once you loose weight and fat, I would refer them to undergo a contouring surgery. But if you understand what a liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can do and what a bariatric surgery can do, and still you want to go for a body contouring surgery, I can take you up for a liposuction procedure and then we will do a high definition liposculpting for front abdomen, sides, flanks and back and then do a tummy tuck, so you get improved contour.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Based on your pictures I would recommend you lose weight first for a better result, an in person consultation would be best with a board certified PS.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It is recommended patient's have a BMI of 30 or lower when considering elective plastic surgery.  Those above this threshold carry a higher risk of complications such as infection, poor wound healing, seroma, and sub optimal results.  Though there are other factors that are considered, at a BMI of 46 you would not be considered a candidate for a tummy tuck at this time.

Mel T. Ortega, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.The recommended BMI is less than 30. This is the recommendation of the American society of plastic surgery. The reason simply, is increased chance of complications. These include but limited to, pulmonary embolus, deep venous thrombosis, delayed wound healing and increase infection rate.Choose a board certified plastic surgeon who has done a ton of Tummy Tuck and has privileges to do this surgery at a local university hospital. This says his credentials have been checked out by fellow Drs. All surgeries carry risk, talk to your plastic surgeon.

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
The ideal BMI for aesthetics procedures is below 34%, but the more weight you lose the better results you will get. Reaching your weight goal prior to surgery would decrease the risks of complications during and after surgery and enhance results.
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get an entire back, waist and flanks liposuction, with BBL, and tummy tuck, this is because all the extra skin located in this areas plus your abdominal muscle needs to be repaired.
Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. Also please try to find a board certified plastic surgeon, remember that your safety, always, is going to be first.
  
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

I have performed tummy tucks on patients with much larger tummys than you. You would need a physical exam to determine if you are healthy enough to have surgery. Patients with very high BMI are a increased risk for complications. I designed a tummy tuck where patients typically wake up in no pain. I incorporate the FINNESSE technique, which I invented. Bleeding is minimal and recovery is much quicker versus traditional techniques. I hope you find this information useful. Please watch the enclosed video.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. Obviously you have an obesity problem to be address before any intention to enhance your body contour. Plastic Surgery is not design to lose weight and the more excessive weight you have, the more chances for complications and risks for your health and life. Let me recommend you to lose as much weight as you can by traditional methods like diet and exercise or by the new Bariatric Surgeries design specially for getting massive weight lose in patients like you. Believe me it can be done, and you can change your life. After a massive weight loss you may reconstruct your body contour and fill healthy and  look great as you wishes.Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Rahul Vemula, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for your question. Given your BMI, you would be considered very high risk for body contouring surgery such as a tummy tuck. You will be at a significantly higher risk for seromas which are fluid collection under the skin, wound breakdown, wound infection and DVT/PE which are blood clots that can form in the legs that go to your lungs. This is one of the most feared complications of cosmetic surgery and can cause significant morbidity and even death. 
I would advise you to lose more weight to get to around a BMI of 30-32 in order to do the surgery safely to minimize the risk of complications. 
Please also note that in patients such as yourself who are of higher BMI, you may need secondary revision procedures in order to achieve your goals. 
Please consult with a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to learn about all of your options for body contouring to be done in a safe manner to minimize your risks of postoperative complications. 
Best wishes! 
Rahul Vemula, MD 
Double Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Most plastic surgeons suggest that you finish having children, get your weight within 10 pounds of your ideal weight, and have a BMI less than 30 before undergoing an abdominoplasty with repair of the stretched out abdominal muscles and liposuction of selective areas, in order to achieve the best long term cosmetic result with the least potential complications.
 
 Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. 
 
 Robert Singer, M.D., FACS
 
 La Jolla, California

Plus size tummy tuck? (Photo)

Answers (11)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

I had a full tummy tuck 8 weeks ago and I have a seroma. Not sure what to do. Will it encapsulate or cause deformity? (Photo)

Spitting stitches and open wounds? Will be three weeks post op Monday. (Photos)

How tight does a compression garment need to be after tummy tuck surgery? Also, which style is the best?

Seroma from hell, 2 drains and a staph infection

Do I need to disclose to a cosmetic surgeon that I used to suffer from bulimia before going in for a tummy tuck consultation?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS