Abdominoplasty is a surgical operation which aims to remove a excess skin on the stomach. This operation offers excellent results. However, before taking the plunge, a number of criteria need to be taken into account, including Body Mass Index (BMI). Indeed, this parameter plays a crucial role in assessing eligibility for surgery and in obtaining optimal results.
Discover the’importance of BMI for abdominoplasty, how to calculate it, what is the ideal BMI before a tummy tuck, the risks associated with a BMI that is too high or too low, and the various solutions for reducing your BMI before surgery. We'll also look at abdominoplasty for overweight people.
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin from the abdomen. This excess skin may be the result of pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Before carrying out this operation, it is essential to take into account the patient's Body Mass Index (BMI). Whether you are considering a abdominoplasty after weight loss or post-pregnancy, it's important to answer two questions: «What is the ideal BMI for abdominoplasty?» and «Is it possible to undergo surgery with a high BMI?».
Aesthetic surgeons generally recommend having a BMI under 30 before abdominoplasty. However, some patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 may be eligible, under certain conditions. On the other hand, it is necessary to maintain a stable weight before and after surgery to optimize results.
BMI stands for Body Mass Index., sometimes called BMI (Body Mass Index) in English. It's a measure of a person's stoutness, based on weight and height.
The BMI categories are as follows:
What is the minimum BMI for a tummy tuck? Abdominoplasty can be considered as soon as the patient's BMI is below 30. In terms of maximum weight, for example, for a person of :
There's no real minimum weight for abdominoplasty. The patient must be in good health and have a stable weight during the period preceding the procedure.
Calculating BMI is simple: take your weight in kilograms and divide it by your height (in meters) squared.
It is calculated as follows BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)].
> This person has an ideal BMI for abdominoplasty.
For tummy tucks, as for any other surgical procedure cosmetic surgery, body mass index is of great importance.
According to a study available on the National Library of Medicine, The ideal BMI for abdominoplasty is between 18.5 and 25, but a patient with a BMI of up to 30 may be eligible. Patients with a BMI over 30 should consider weight loss prior to surgery.
A BMI that is too high could affect the overall safety of the surgical procedure, as well as post-operative results. Indeed, a high BMI implies different things:
While having a healthy BMI improves the experience and results of a tummy tuck, it won't necessarily guarantee good results, and it doesn't eliminate all risks. Indeed, all surgery involves risks, whatever the BMI of the person being operated on.
In fact, in terms of eligibility, there are other requirements for abdominoplasty, We'll take into account your specific needs, including your age, your general state of health, your expectations and the current condition of your skin. Your plastic surgeon will give you more information about the risks associated with the procedure during the pre-operative consultation.
A BMI that is too low before abdominoplasty involves fewer risks than one that is too high. The main risk is that of nutritional deficiencies that can affect recovery after surgery.
A high BMI can reduce the quality of results due to excess internal fat and potential poor healing.
People with a high BMI are likely to have a new weight loss after abdominoplasty. As a result, the skin will loosen again, which could mean a secondary abdominoplasty. However, the body is often less able to tolerate a second operation on the same area.
People with a high BMI are much more likely to encounter healing complications after abdominoplasty, including: surgical site infection, delayed healing, wound rupture and ventration.
In the vast majority of cases, the greater a person's weight, the slower the healing process. As a result, the scar tends to be less aesthetically pleasing and to form a keloid scar, i.e. a scar that extends beyond the initial area of injury, is thick, raised and can cause pain. What's more, the longer it takes to heal, the greater the risk of infection.
Discover the before/after abdominoplasty photos practiced by Dr Djian.
Is your BMI too high to benefit from a tummy tuck?
A balanced diet helps you lose weight while preserving muscle mass. Here are a few keys:
Physical exercise is an essential ally in reducing BMI before a pregnancy. surgical operation. It burns calories, improves blood circulation and preserves muscle mass.
Recommended activities :
The ideal is at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, combining cardio and muscle strengthening.
Certain programs supervised by nutritionists or doctors can help you lose weight before surgery. To lose weight effectively before surgery, certain supervised approaches can be implemented:
Health professionals can suggest dietary plans tailored to individual needs, taking into account medical history and goals:
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to aid weight loss, but this is restricted to severely overweight patients. Similarly, bariatric surgery may be considered.
If the BMI is very high (over 35-40) and weight loss is difficult, bariatric surgery may be considered before abdominoplasty.
The main interventions :
These procedures are recommended for patients suffering from severe obesity. They require rigorous medical follow-up.
Consult the procedures performed by Dr. Djian after weight loss.
In the case of a BMI over 30, weight loss is often recommended prior to surgery. The doctor will then recommend a diet before abdominoplasty. In some cases, bariatric surgery may be considered before abdominoplasty if dieting has not proved successful.
It's best to reach a stable weight before abdominoplasty. Achieving a weight closer to the ideal before surgery optimizes results, ensures a safer operation and avoids weight loss later on, which could lead to the need for further surgery.
Cosmetic surgery specialist Dr. Jeremy Djian can assess your situation and advise you on the best options. In some cases, Dr. Djian has already performed a abdominoplasty for high BMI on patients with an adequate state of health.
A BMI between 18 and 25 is generally sufficient for a flat stomach.
Abdominoplasty may be possible if weight is stable. Alternatively, bariatric surgery may be an option for weight loss prior to abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty removes excess skin, but is not a weight-loss solution.
A balanced diet low in sugars and saturated fats is recommended.
General health, skin quality and weight stability are also decisive factors.
Anesthetic complications, infections, poor healing, cardiovascular problems.
Dr Jérémy Djian is a plastic surgeon based at 5 square Thiers, near the Victor Hugo roundabout, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
He trained in Paris and remains attached to the hospital in the prestigious department of Pr Laurent Lantieri.
