Battling the Bulge and BMI:
Does Dr. Schwartz Have a BMI Requirement
for a Tummy Tuck?

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Does your BMI number matter when wanting to whittle your middle?  We cut through all the fat and give it to you straight.

We get the same types of questions every day:  Do you perform tummy tucks after weight loss surgery?  Can I get a tummy tuck if I’m overweight?  Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck if I have a higher BMI?  The answers are all a resounding “yes.”  While other surgeons may elect to disagree, Dr. Schwartz has his own reasons for performing tummy tucks on patients with higher than normal BMIs.

Everyone is at a different point in their weight loss/fitness journey and have different body goals they seek to achieve, which makes Dr. Schwartz cognizant of each patient’s personal needs and aesthetic aspirations.  Like most cosmetic surgeries, abdominoplasty, aka “tummy tuck,” isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure and no two patients are ever alike.  Some women come in to see Dr. Schwartz for a tummy tuck as part of a post-baby, “Mommy Makeover,” while others seek to eliminate excess skin following a drastic weight reduction.  Others can’t seem to budge that proverbial “last 10 pounds” or stubborn layer of fat and seek a little help by going under the knife.  All in all, there are a variety of reasons women, and some men, wish to undergo cosmetic enhancement to help contour their core and Dr. Schwartz doesn’t feel a BMI requirement is necessary in determining a patient’s candidacy for undergoing a little nip and tuck.

What is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” is the surgical, cosmetic procedure that eliminates excess skin and fat from the abdomen area, and in some cases, tightening connective tissue with sutures, in the quest for an improved, contoured, and aesthetically pleasing appearance in the abdomen region.  Think a tighter, toned tummy and cut core.

While it’s advised one should be as close to their ideal goal weight as possible before considering giving their tummy some final touches via surgery, Dr. Schwartz doesn’t require a specific BMI or lower to begin the body-boosting process.

What is BMI?
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is the ratio of one’s height to weight and is usually used as a gauge to assessing health and fitness levels, as well as overall body composition.  Essentially, BMI is a measure of body fat based on one’s height and weight that applies to adult men and women. BMI is a term used quite often by competitive bodybuilders, personal trainers, and fitness fanatics, especially in the fitness influencer space on social media.  Many of the most sought-after plastic surgeons will not perform tummy tucks on patients with a BMI of 40 or higher.  Most plastic surgeons will recommend a patient attain and retain a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 for at least 12 months before considering undergoing a tummy tuck.

Many surgeons are trepidatious about performing a tummy tuck on patients with higher BMIs due to increased risk of perioperative complications, including infections, wound-healing issues, and blood collections under the skin.  However, a study reported in Science Daily last April suggests the concern isn’t medically substantiated and concluded there was “no increase in complications with ‘tummy tuck’ in obese patients compared to non-obese patients.”  Instead, surgeons should evaluate each patient on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the individual patient’s risk factor(s) and medical/health history, without basing candidacy on BMI exclusively.  Again, there are no “no one-size-fits-all” solutions.  Researchers added that surgeons also discuss realistic, post-op expectations respective to each patient, which is exactly how Dr. Jamie will determine the best treatment trajectory for each patient.

If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight, are plus-sized, have a high BMI, or still have questions regarding tummy tuck surgery, please don’t hesitate to call our office to speak with any of our highly specialized consultants.

To learn more, please contact our Beverly Hills, California office to schedule a consultation with any of our highly trained specialists.