PLUS SIZE & HIGH BMI PATIENTS
High BMI Tummy Tuck:
How Safe is It?
Do you have fat pockets and excess skin on your abdomen that you want to get rid of? A high BMI tummy tuck might just be the procedure for you.
Popular among people who lost massive amounts of weight or recently gave birth, a tummy tuck is a great way to bring back your confidence by sculpting your midsection.
Most of the time though, you can only get one if your body mass index is within the normal range. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t try getting the procedure if you have a high BMI. After all, the presence of body fat is not the only reason for an elevated BMI.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Medically known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from your abdominal area and tightens your abdominal wall.
It also involves restoring separated or weakened core muscles, resulting in a firmer, smoother, and more sculpted tummy.
You can combine the tummy tuck with other procedures, such as a lower body lift and mommy makeover. For this reason, you need to follow certain weight requirements before undergoing surgery.
Is there the Ideal BMI for Abdominoplasty?
While most plastic surgeons recommend a BMI range of 18.5 to 29 for a safe tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Masri has no such limits.
The reason for the range is to avoid surgical complications, such as seroma formation, delayed wound healing, and ugly scar formation. It is generally believed that the higher your BMI is, the more complicated the procedure may become.
High BMI Tummy Tuck - Before / After patient photos
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.
MON – FRI 9 AM – 5 PM EST
Is High BMI Tummy Tuck Safe?
However, it’s also important to remember that having a high BMI doesn’t necessarily mean you’re overweight or obese. Sometimes, it can be due to increased muscle mass, height, and ethnicity — things that have nothing to do with body fat percentage.
In such cases, a high BMI tummy tuck is safe and possible.
There are also studies indicating that a tummy tuck can improve the quality of life of overweight and obese patients.
A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showed that while the complication rate is increased in high BMI tummy tuck, most of these risks are minor and readily manageable. In fact, patient satisfaction is overwhelmingly high, making high BMI tummy tuck an acceptable option for overweight patients.
Getting a High BMI Tummy Tuck
If you have a high BMI but want to undergo a tummy tuck, consult with Dr. Masri, one of Miami’s premier double board-certified plastic surgeons.
Remember that the body mass index isn’t a diagnostic procedure for your overall health state. That’s why Dr. Masri will give you a series of diagnostic exams to determine your fitness for the surgery.
With Dr. Masri, he can consider you for a tummy tuck even if you have a BMI of as high as 45, as long as you’re healthy. He does all his surgeries in accredited hospitals to ensure your safety and immediate access to emergency equipment.
Play Video about tummy tuck after weight loss video
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