Body contouring surgery can be technically performed on any massive weight loss patient. The important question, however, is whether you can go through the operation safely and heal after surgery with a reasonably low risk of potential complications. (there is no such thing as zero risk of complications in any surgery)
Any patient’s candidacy for body contouring surgery consists of three important issues, your general health, your BMI (body mass index), and your financial preparedness. The first and most important issue is your general health. Do you feel good overall? Are you active and in good nutritional health? Do you have any post-bariatric surgery symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, GI bleeding, or stomach ulcers? Many patients are not truly ready for a major surgery until well after they have achieved their optimal weight gain. Most body contouring surgeries (arms, breasts and neck excluded) should be considered as major and put a lot of stress on your body to not only go through but to heal properly. You must be in a positive nutritional balance to undertake such a task. You will need clearance from your weight loss doctor and blood laboratory studies that look at your blood counts, electrolytes, and protein levels.
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good way to determine how effective body contouring surgery will be. Removing loose or excess skin will not be maximally effective if you are still obese. A thick fat layer still persistent under the skin will not allow body contouring surgery to show a good effect. BMI is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.The mathematical formulation is difficult to do and one can see their BMI by googling BMI on the internet and using one of the easy calculators which appears on many websites. (for example, http://www.cdc.gov website) BMIs of 30 or lower are most ideal for body contouring surgery. I wouldn’t say that there is an absolute BMI cutoff, but anything over 35 is not ready for those body contouring surgeries that involve the abdomen and thighs unless it is a simple abdominal panniculectomy procedure.
Fiscal preparedness is also an important issue. Most body contouring surgeries (bariatric plastic surgery) are not going to be covered by insurance. Understandably, most patients think that is unfair but there must be a documented medical reason for your insurance carrier to even consider it. (and even then it will be a battle)
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana