Is there a BMI requirement for a tummy tuck (or other plastic procedure)?
Many patients ask us, “Is there a BMI requirement for surgery?”. The answer is yes, most Plastic Surgeons have a BMI requirement for surgery, although it can vary from office to office. At Eberbach Plastic Surgery, our BMI requirement for a tummy tuck is 27 or below. In massive weight loss patients and specific anatomies, sometimes there is an exception to this rule. For other surgeries, such as a breast reduction or arm lift, a patient must be at their goal weight with a BMI less than 35.
What is BMI?
Many patients are unfamiliar with BMI. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a formula that measures a person’s body size by dividing their weight by the square of their height in feet. This ubiquitous screening tool can help indicate whether a patient is underweight, a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. If a person’s BMI exceeds the healthy range, their health risks can increase significantly.
Why is there a BMI requirement?
There are several different reasons why Eberbach Plastic Surgery requires a BMI of 27 or below. The biggest reason is safety, our top concern for any procedure performed. If a person’s BMI is outside of the healthy range, their health risks during surgery and recovery can increase significantly. Studies show that a BMI that is not in a healthy range can lead to a variety of health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Researchers also found obese patients had a significantly higher risk of postoperative complications, such as heart attack, wound infection, and nerve injury.
A healthy BMI before cosmetic surgery minimizes complications and ensures a good surgery result is more likely. Visceral body fat, or internal fat, sits deep in the belly, wrapping around the organs. A firm beer belly is a common example. Cosmetic surgery can’t remove visceral fat – only diet and exercise can reduce it. If a patient has a lot of internal fat before a tummy tuck, their final result will not be a flat tummy but rather a round one, like a barrel.
Our office has a private outpatient facility where all our surgeries take place. We have one of the few facilities certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Florida regulations limit outpatient facilities to one liter of liposuction when combined with another procedure, such as a tummy tuck. This means patients who have higher BMIs need more liposuction and need to have surgery in a hospital setting.
How Can I Figure Out My BMI?
It is very easy to calculate your BMI yourself; our calculator at IBI Healthcare will calculate it in seconds!
What can I do to get my BMI in a safe range for surgery?
Being physically active and eating healthy can help you lose weight and keep the weight off over time. Many patients have had great success joining a gym or exercise program, doing KETO, or intermittent fasting.
If you have tried diet and exercise with no success, there are other options. Eberbach Plastic Surgery now offers an expanded range of weight loss solutions and surgery!
Gastric Balloons.
Balloons are becoming an increasingly popular option for weight loss. Gastric balloons, such as the Orbera balloon, are used as placeholders in the stomach, giving the patient the feeling of being full while limiting the amount the patient can eat at once. Gastric balloons are used only temporarily for six months and then removed.
The general idea is that the patient, under the guidance of a support system, follows a dietary and exercise plan for six months that teaches positive lifestyle changes and portion control. If the patient continues practicing what they learned during their time with the balloon, they can maintain their weight loss or continue to lose weight.
Patients who have used the Orbera gastric balloon have lost between 10% and 47% of their total body weight in six months.
Endosleeve to reduce stomach without incisions.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a procedure that makes a patient’s stomach smaller, similar to the surgical gastric sleeve. Unlike gastric sleeve surgery, where the surgeon cuts away a portion of the stomach, there are no incisions made, and the stomach remains intact.
The stomach is re-shaped into a small pouch and then stitched in place using about a dozen sutures. As a result, the stomach becomes much smaller (about 75% smaller), and the patient cannot consume as much food. They can lose weight because they do not always feel hungry and learn portion control.
The sutures used during EGS are resilient and can last permanently; however, the process can be reversed or adjusted if necessary.
Patients have reported weight loss of as much as 114 pounds after having endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. The amount of weight loss is directly related to the patient’s dedication to adhering to new lifestyle choices which include diet and exercise.
Lab-band surgery
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB), or simply Lap-Band, is a bariatric surgery option that helps with weight loss. A gastric band is placed on the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The restriction reduces the amount of food eaten in a single meal and produces a feeling of fullness between meals. The lap band or Gastric Band is an excellent option for patients who are obese (BMI > 30). The procedure can help obese patients with (or help prevent) diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease or stroke.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery alters the stomach size and re-routes the digestive system. The surgeon divides the stomach into two sections, making the top section much smaller. The surgeon re-routes a section of the small intestine and connects it to the newly formed pouch. After surgery, food travels directly from the pouch into this part of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the digestive system. This process reduces calorie absorption, leading to significant weight loss.
Gastric bypass surgery, while more invasive than the sleeve, typically helps patients lose 10 to 20 pounds more. By altering the digestive system, the procedure supports greater weight loss, helping patients achieve a healthier BMI.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Your Transformation?
Achieving the ideal BMI for plastic surgery is an important part of ensuring safe and successful results. With Eberbach Plastic Surgery’s recently expanded weight loss capabilities, you can now receive the guidance and support needed to reach your goals more effectively.
If you’re considering a procedure but are unsure about your BMI, our team is here to help. Take the first step by scheduling a consultation with us today. We’ll work with you to create a personalized plan that aligns with your vision for the future.
👉 Book Your Appointment Now and start your journey towards confidence and well-being.
