Can an overweight person with an autoimmune disease get cosmetic surgery?

Provided the autoimmune disease is under control, there may not be a contraindication to a mommy makeover.  However, being 60 pounds overweight can lead to less than optimal results from the cosmetic procedures and increase the risks of complications during surgery and recovery.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

A more thorough review of your situation would need to be done to determine if you are a candidate for elective plastic surgery.  It is recommended that you have a BMI under 30 to keep risk in check.  That figure can be calculated easily using your height and weight.  Charts are available online.  Your autoimmune disease would need to be in control and your medications reviewed.  You may want to speak to the doctor you see for your condition to see if medical clearance can be given.

The answer of course is that it depends on what your health status  is truly and the type of autoimmune disorder you have.  We frequently are in a situation where we need to do surgery on patients with autoimmune disorders that we need to optimize prior to surgery.  If you have had a careful discussion of risks options benefits and possible complications of the procedure and choose to move forward despite increased risk, that would be your decision.  In our office we offer  the ideal protein medical weight loss program that does not require exercise to help patients lose weight.  We have found that this helps optimize patients and get them ready for cosmetic surgery when they would otherwise be too high risk to operate on.  I hope to you can find a medical weight loss program in your area to start with that first.  You might be able to avoid surgery altogether.  I wish you well with the process.

Even though we perform surgical procedures to make people look and feel better, our #1 concern is the health of the patient.  If the risks of elective surgery outweigh the benefits, then your surgeon will inform you.  Fortunately, there are many non surgical alternatives that may improve your situation without the risk of surgery.  Please see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs body contouring procedures frequently to assure the best possible result.Good Luck!

Hi and thanks for your question. The answer is no, you should no undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery, you should reserve your chances only for  emergency procedures, since you may develop a lot of complications that may endangere your health and life.Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Depending on which autoimmune disorder you have, surgery may be an option. Start with an evaluation by an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. See link below for examples.

There is a significant mortality rate operating on patients who are overweight.   In my practice I require the patient to be very close to their ideal body weight before undergoing elective surgery.  An autoimmune disease that is controlled would not necessarily be a contraindication to surgery.  You would need clearance from all physicians treating you prior to surgery.

An autoimmune disease that is controlled would not necessarily be a contraindication to surgery, but being overweight is. Get your BMI well below 30 before doing an expensive surgery if you want good results. Exercise may not be possible but if you take in fewer calories than you burn up during the day, weight loss is unavoidable. See a weight loss doctor for supervision in a diet program.