Is there a specific BMI or body fat percentage you have to meet?

Question

I've lost about 60lbs and I'm still over weight. My skin is getting irritated and inflamed I want to have the extra removed.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

Congratulations on your weight loss!

For health and safety reasons, best to be at a BMI less than 30 or within 10 pounds of your goal weight and stable at that weight for 6 months prior to surgery for optimal results.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction. It is best to undergo #MommyMakeover procedures when your weight has been stable for at least one year.

In addition to a one-on-one consultations with a board certified Plastic Surgeon, patients always need to be seen by their primary care doctor prior to such procedures.  We screen every patient and their medical records for risks of blood clots (DVT) and then take appropriate measures.  MWL (massive weight loss patients of  75 lbs or more) tend to have poor skin elasticity and will frequently need additional tightening even afte 6 -12 months regardless of who or how their surgery is performed. This is simply the nature of such body tissues and the ability to heal with the lack or limited elasticity.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.Congrats on your weight loss! To achieve the best possible results, you will want to be at your goal weight prior to having surgery. Contact a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best of luck!

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I believe it is best to be within 10 - 15 pounds of your ideal body weight prior to surgery for optimal results. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring for an in-person examination. Ask to see a lot of before and after pictures of their work to understand what can be achieved. Hope this helps and good luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss!  BMI is only one consideration when determining if someone is a good candidate for surgery.  A general rule of thumb is a BMI of 30 or under for a Mommy Makeover.  Those above this BMI threshold may have a higher risk of complications such as poor wound healing, seroma, or infection.  Keeping below a BMI of 30 also gives your surgeon the opportunity to optimize your results.  There are exceptions to every rule, so if you are unsure you can visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to find out more.

Millicent Odunze Geers, MD, MPH · Answer

There are more surgical and anesthesia risks associated with a higher BMI. As cosmetic plastic surgery is elective, it's best to be at your optimum health when undergoing surgery. This includes being at a healthy weight for your height. Surgery can be postponed until this transpires. There is no specific BMI or body fat percentage, but in general, plastic surgeons tend to opt for a BMI

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your post and provided information as well. your BMI cant be over 32 for plastic surgery, I recommend to make a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to know more about your conditions and BMI. Good luck :)

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your weight loss. In general it is best to have a BMI below 30 but not for every person this is possible. It is best to send a few photos to your surgeon of choice to see what he/she feels. best of luck

Matthew H. Conrad, MD · Answer

It really depends on your goals and your desires. If you think you can continue to lose weight and ultimately do a more definitive and theoretically costly procedure that will give you a more dramatic results then you should think about ultimately doing some sort of body contouring procedure once your weight loss is complete and you have been evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon. If, however,  you have reached the point where you're irritated skin is limiting your ability to exercise and or lose weight, then you may want to do a procedure such as a panniculectomy which is really not designed to give you the best cosmetic result but more of a functional one with elimination of some of The hanging skin. In general,  higher body mass index  or higher percentage of fat is associated with more complications from delayed healing to blood clots, infections etc.   A board-certified plastic surgeon is a great place to start to start getting information on all this.  good luck !!!

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Most plastic surgeons suggest that you , get your weight within 10 pounds of your ideal weight and have a BMI
less than 30 before undergoing an abdominoplasty in order to achieve
the best long term cosmetic result with the least potential complications.

Following the advice
of anyone who would presume to tell you what to do without seeing photos and
more importantly without taking a full medical history, examining you, feeling
and assessing your tissue tone, discussing your desired outcome and fully
informing you about the pros and cons of each option would not be in your best
interest. Find a plastic surgeon that you are comfortable with and one that you
trust and listen to his or her advice. The surgeon should be certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society
for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). You should discuss your concerns with
that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD
FACS

La Jolla, California.

Is there a specific BMI or body fat percentage you have to meet?

Answers (14)

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