BMI

Most patients are familiar with the term ‘BMI,’ which stands for “Body Mass Index.” This metric gives patients and their doctors a better idea of where they stand in terms of body fat and potential issues. For the safety of patients, certain BMI standards need to be met before a patient is cleared to undergo a surgical procedure.

It’s vital for patients to understand that popular body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift, are not designed to achieve weight loss. It is actually recommended that patients be very close to their goal weight prior to undergoing these treatments, as future weight changes can ruin the results.

Calculate your BMI

“Body Mass Index” is essentially a ratio that measures weight against height to better understand a person’s body content. Naturally, this provides individuals with a more informed measurement of how much body fat they have as opposed to simply doing measurements on a scale. Patients can calculate their BMI here:

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BMI measurements can indicate if someone is underweight (a BMI lower than 18.5) or overweight (a BMI higher than 25).

BMI limits for surgery

Patients who are looking to undergo a surgical procedure must be at a BMI of lower than 30. This is simply due to the fact that a BMI of 30 and above is considered obese by the CDC, which can carry certain risks and implications when undergoing surgery. Obese patients are more likely to have a weakened immune system and systemic inflammation, making them more susceptible to complications during the surgery and recovery process.

The goal of every surgeon is to keep their patient safe throughout the procedure and recovery process. For this reason, we recommend that patients be between 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight before choosing to undergo a cosmetic procedure. These surgeries are not vital for one’s health, meaning that there is no rush for patients to get them done. Patients should take the time to lose weight and get their bodies to where they need to be.

BMI

Calculate your BMI

BMI limits for surgery

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