Am I considered a candidate for a tummy tuck/lipo procedure? (Photo)

Question

Currently 31, 5’5 240 over the last 2 years I gained 40 lbs , was originally a very active 200 pounder and lifted weights and went to the gym frequently , until I got bilateral carpal tunnel and couldn’t do much with my hands. I’m now starting to work out on a daily basis and eat better.I’m considering getting some work done since I have the funds to do so now. I’ve seen similar body types with the same BMI that turned out good ,so I really just wanted honest advice .

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for providing photographs. I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon once you have reached a BMI of 32 or below. Literature shows that performing elective surgeries on patients with a BMI over 32 is not advised due to increased healing and surgical complication rate. Once you have reached your goal weight, consult with your chosen plastic surgeon to see if abdominoplasty is recommended for you. Good luck on your journey!

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. 
I would recommend you to get a tummy tuck to get better results. 
If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for.

Leyla Arvas, MD · Answer

Hi, I recommend you tummy tuck and liposuction to shaping your full body. This two operations in same sessions make real defference in your shape.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Healthy people at their ideal weight should have the best overall recovery from a TT and lipo, but some of this will depend upon the surgical technique and adherence to postoperative protocols. Liposuction, combined with the standard TT, will allow you to have stubborn fat resistant to exercise and diet removed from unwanted areas. A TT with muscle tightening will create a flat abdomen and would also provide the benefit of placing your incision along the lower pubic region. The TT also creates a more youthful belly button. If the waist was smaller at one time, the waist can likely be reduced to those same measurements or smaller provided the muscular and fascial integrity has remained the same. Combine a healthy diet with your continued gym workouts to reach a goal weight of 180 to decrease the risks of complications during and after surgery and to increase the probability of enhanced results.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hi there!
Thanks for your question and photos. At your current height and weight, you have a BMI around 40. Most surgeons require a patient's BMI to be at 30 or below in order to ensure a safe surgery and timely recovery. Right now I would focus on your fitness and get back on track! It's great that you're finding ways to continue to workout despite your carpal tunnel. Good luck!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At 5'5 and 240 lbs, your BMI is 40 which is too high for a tummy tuck. I recommend you begin a low fat diet, core exercises such as sit-ups, planks, pilates and consult with a bariatric surgeon. The carpal tunnel can easily be corrected with out-patient surgery. Another alternative to consider is liposuction. 10 bls can safely be removed during one session and the procedure can be repeated if necessary.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kshari,
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 a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Ashley Thorburn, MD · Answer

Good afternoon,
Your weight doesn’t necessarily completely preclude you from having surgery but many surgeons do have BMI cutoffs for this surgery. The main reason for this is not because of the appearance of the result, but because the complication rate goes up quite a bit the higher your BMI. Many surgeons do not want to risk the patient having complications from surgery because, while rare, they can be devastating. Additionally, the closer you get to your goal weight, the better the result will be. Good luck and I hope this helps!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Based on the information provided, it is best for you to first lose weight before considering a tummy tuck and liposuction.  Patients with a BMI of 30 or above have a higher risk of complications such as poor wound healing, seroma, and infection.  Having a lower BMI will also give your surgeon the opportunity to maximize your results.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Add 240 pounds you’re not a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. Your results will be improved and the procedure will be much safer if you lose weight first.

That’s your current weight you are considered morbidly obese(more than 100 pounds over ideal weight)

Must plastic surgeons limit Liposuction it to removing no more than 5 L of fat. This in reality is about 8 pounds of fat. 132 sticks of butter may look impressive on the table 8 pounds of fat removal will only bring someone from 240 pounds to 232 poundsstraight it is simply an insufficient amount of fat removal to be impressive on someone your size.

My maximum cut off for Liposuction tends to be around 220 pounds and those patients always need two full sessions of liposuction.

There are exceptions when treating the chin and neck or areas like arms but when it comes to treating the tour so patients do much better losing weight first.

At your current weight you also have excess  visceral fat that will not be treated with surgery.

You may find surgeons willing to do the procedure at your current weight. You should ask yourself if you want to have the surgery at this weight considering that results will be compromised and you are at higher risk for having medical complications.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Am I considered a candidate for a tummy tuck/lipo procedure? (Photo)

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