High BMI
Spell the End for
Your Body Goals?
Plastic surgeons always have patients ask about what is considered a high BMI for getting plastic surgery. Obese and overweight women used to have apprehensions about getting plastic surgery because of their BMI and the risks that come with it.
However, in a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, it has been established that tummy tuck surgery can be safely performed in obese and overweight patients, with no increase in complications compared to non-obese patients.
This is why Dr. Nick Masri, one of Miami’s top double board-certified plastic surgeons, believes that having a high BMI should not prevent one from achieving their plastic surgery goal.
And now, more patients within the obese and overweight categories can get their dream body without worrying about their weight or its complications.
What High BMI Means
The body mass index is a way to measure body fat based on height and weight.
But what most people fail to consider is that having an elevated BMI does not equate to being unhealthy. Surgery only becomes risky when they have chronic underlying conditions, like heart diseases and diabetes, on top of their excess weight. But high BMI alone does not mean that a patient is no longer qualified to undergo surgery.
Though it is essential to identify the patient’s BMI before surgery, Dr. Masri still performs the patient’s desired procedure even if the patient has an increased BMI as long as they are healthy.
Nick Masri MD, one of Miami's top board-certified plastic surgeons.
With over 20 years of experience operating on post-bariatric and massive weight loss patients, Dr. Masri can offer cosmetic surgery to those who may have been turned down by other surgeons due to their BMI – giving them a chance to achieve their dream body.
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What is Considered a High BMI?
An ideal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Most surgeons often consider a BMI over 30 too high, so they don’t operate on patients with such BMI.
But Dr. Nick Masri thoroughly assesses his patients before making a decision. Based on experience, he successfully operated on patients with a BMI of 45.
Most people might wonder how this is possible. This is because BMI is only a screening tool and not a diagnostic tool.
A patient can still be healthy even with an elevated body mass index, making it generally safe for them to undergo plastic surgery. It depends on their overall health and whether they are actually at risk for complications.
Though there might be additional precautions for those with a high BMI before and post-surgery, they can still have the procedure as long as they don’t have active comorbidities.
How Can Someone with a High BMI Be Healthy?
Body fat does not entirely define a person’s health. A person considered overweight or obese can have low body fat and still be healthy.
Here are some factors that may increase one’s BMI despite having low body fat:
Height
Even with little body fat, taller people have a higher BMI.
According to a University of Oxford study, a person’s height can affect their BMI values. Because of how BMI is calculated, it tends to increase a taller person’s BMI despite having low body fat.
Ethnicity
A person’s ethnicity may affect their BMI despite having minimal to no concerning health conditions.
One may have large-built bodies, making their BMI fall under the overweight category. But that doesn’t automatically mean they are not physically healthy.
Muscle Mass
Working out or having an active lifestyle may increase muscle mass. It dramatically affects BMI calculation because the metric cannot distinguish the difference between body fat and muscles.
Can You Still Get Plastic Surgery Even If You Have a High BMI?
The short answer is YES!
Any medical professional will consider a patient’s BMI before doing any surgical procedure. However, this does not entirely determine a patient’s qualification.
Pre-existing medical conditions or comorbidities may delay or even disqualify a patient to any plastic surgery.
This is why patients need to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions with their cosmetic surgeon. It will help them determine the effects on the procedure’s outcome and the time they need to recover afterward.
Below are some pre-existing medical conditions that may disqualify a patient for any plastic surgery, regardless of their BMI.
Hypertension
Any surgeon may refuse to do a procedure on a patient with high blood pressure. A surgeon will ask for the patient to keep their blood pressure in control before undergoing a procedure.
Diabetes
People with diabetes tend to have their wounds heal slower than those without diabetes.
Though the condition is not a dealbreaker, a plastic surgeon will recommend that patients control their blood glucose levels before the surgery.
Blood Thinners
Patients taking blood-thinning medications as maintenance are asked to discontinue taking them two weeks before any surgery. It avoids prolonged bleeding after the operation.
Having these conditions does not mean that a patient no longer qualifies for any cosmetic surgery they desire. A plastic surgeon may still elect a patient to undergo surgery, although it will take additional precautions to lessen post-surgery risks.
What are the High BMI Risks You Should Know?
While getting plus-size plastic surgery is safe as long as you pass your doctor’s health assessments, it’s still important to know the potential risks associated with it. These are the following:
Heart attack
Many patients with heart disease, or even those who have had previous heart attacks, can have a successful cosmetic procedure. Often, the plastic surgeon will ask that the patient obtain clearance from their cardiologist to confirm their heart stability.
Wound infection
A person with diabetes will have their wounds heal longer, increasing the risk of infections and other complications developing.
Plastic surgeons will commonly operate on people with diabetes so long as the correct precautions are made throughout the procedures.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
This occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, particularly in the legs. Though the risk is commonly associated with weight, many factors may cause this complication, like smoking, multiple pregnancies, and sitting still for too long.
These are only some complications that a patient may encounter after any surgery, not just cosmetic surgery.
However, these risks are not entirely due to one’s body weight. Instead, these are primarily due to pre-existing comorbidities such as heart disease and diabetes. They could also be due to lifestyle and other factors.
Though weight is correlated with certain health risks, it’s important to note that correlation and causation are different.
Women with elevated BMI and classified as obese or overweight no longer need to feel left out in plastic surgery. BMI is not the sole measure of health.
I do not use BMI as a sole criterion in determining one's candidacy for surgery.
As all patients have individualized goals and surgical nuances, a high BMI should not prevent one from achieving your plastic surgery goals.
Nick Masri MD
Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon