Lipo 360 and Tummy Tuck. Is a BMI of 40 a strict cut off for these procedures?

Hello @kmeadows8 and thank you for your question. The weight limit is only a measure to analyze how risky the surgery can be, in terms of complications that the patient could have. However, being at a BMI of 40 already puts you at high risk for a tummy tuck and liposuction. I suggest that you lose weight with a healthy diet low in fat and sugars and thus not only prepare for your surgery, but also start to create awareness to take care of your body when you're ready for your surgery.

Hi, thanks for your question. Typically, we recommend that your BMI be under 35 in order to safely undergo surgery. That being said, if you have already lost anywhere from 50-100lbs or more, you may be exempt from having a BMI of less than 35, but this will be largely dependent on a number of factors and on your surgeon's pre-operative guidelines.

Your current BMI of 42 puts you at high risk for complications from surgery. The only operation that could be done safely would be liposuction since there are minimal incisions and wound healing is almost certain. I recommend you begin a low fat diet, core exercises such as sit-ups, planks, pilates and consult a bariatric surgeon.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for sharing your question. For most surgeons a BMI in the 30-32 range is the cutoff for most body contouring procedures as the risks of surgery above this range outweigh the benefits. I would focus on continued weight loss for now and then pursue surgery at a later date.

You will want to reduce your weight prior to considering elective plastic surgery. The recommendation is to have a BMI below 30. Those above this threshold are at higher risk of complications such as poor wound healing, seroma, and infection. Losing weight will also allow your surgeon the opportunity to maximize your results.