High BMI Risks:
4 Health Concerns Associated
with Obesity
And when you’re thinking of plastic surgery, one of the things that your cosmetic surgeon monitors is your body mass index. After all, the higher your BMI is, the more complications you become at risk for.
Learn about the health risks of too high BMI
4 High BMI Risks to Your Health
Type 2 Diabetes
Generally, people who are overweight or obese have a high risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, your body is unable to produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. If uncontrolled, this can eventually lead to a variety of diseases, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, eye damage, and delayed wound healing.
High BMI Risks: Cancer
Studies show that kidney, breast, colon, esophagus, and endometrial cancers are significantly related to obesity.
More recent research has linked obesity to the onset of pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke
An overweight or obese person is more likely to face cardiovascular diseases or stroke.
When you pile on extra weight, your chances of developing high blood pressure also increases, predisposing you to these fatal medical conditions.
High BMI Risks: Sleep Apnea
It may not be as alarming as the previous three medical conditions, but sleep apnea is a cause of concern that should be taken seriously.
When a person has sleep apnea, his quality of sleep is compromised. His breathing may stop during sleep. At the same time, it can also increase one’s risk of stroke and heart disease.
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 high BMI – giving them a chance to achieve their dream body, while reducing high BMI risks.

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The Relationship Between Obesity and High BMI Risks
Obesity is a global concern. According to the World Health Organization, around 400 million adults all over the world are considered obese.
To measure obesity, you can utilize the body mass index as a quick way to know your body fat status.
Once you have computed it using a BMI calculator, here’s a quick interpretation of your weight status:
- Underweight: less than 18.5
- Normal: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9
- Obese: 30 and above
Should You Avoid Plastic Surgery Because of High BMI Risks?
All these high BMI health risks can prevent you from getting plastic surgery even though you need it.
But it is also important to remember that having a high BMI result doesn’t automatically mean you’re obese, in the strictest sense of the word. After all, a lot of factors outside body fat may affect your BMI results, such as your height, muscle mass, and ethnicity.
For Dr. Masri, one of Miami’s top board-certified plastic surgeons, BMI is just one piece of the puzzle. He operates on patients with a BMI as high as 45, as long as the person’s healthy. As an added layer of security, he does all his surgeries in accredited hospitals with immediate access to emergency equipment and trained staff.
Make sure to consult with Dr. Masri to see if you can still get plus size plastic surgery even with these high BMI risks.

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 them from achieving their plastic surgery goals.

Nick Masri MD
Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon