Do I Need to Lose Weight Before Plastic Surgery?
Generally, you are considered a good candidate for plastic surgery if you are close to the ideal weight, you are not a smoker, and you are socially and emotionally balanced.
Even people who plan to shed a few pounds through a tummy tuck or liposuction surgery still need to be in good shape that allows them to undergo a surgical procedure.
One way to determine if you suffer from obesity is based on the BMI – Body Mass Index, which measures your weight compared to your height.
What are the BMI Classifications?
Underweight: Under 18.5
Healthy Weight: Between 18.5 - 24.9
Overweight: Between 25 - 29.9
Obesity: Between 30 - 39.9
Morbid Obesity: Over 40
A preferred plastic surgery candidate will have a BMI of 30 or below. While some surgeons go ahead and operate on patients with a BMI as high as 35-39, those who have a BMI over 40 will most certainly be turned down.
If you are planning for a tummy tuck surgery or liposuction, you can measure your abdominal circumference to determine weight-related health risks, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and strokes.
Regardless of your BMI, you should try to lose weight if your waist measures:
Men: 94 cm (37 ins) or more.
Women: 80 cm (31.5 ins) or more.
You are at a high-risk situation if your waist circumference is:
Men: 102 cm (40 ins) or more.
Women: 88 cm (34 ins) or more.
Are You A Good Plastic Surgery Candidate?
You are not a good candidate for cosmetic surgery if you have health problems such as:
diabetes
hypertension
coagulation disorders
heart or lung disease
obesity
severe allergies
high cholesterol
arthritis
depression
How Can Weight Issues Have a Negative Impact on Surgeries?
If you are obese and planning cosmetic surgery, being overweight can put you at high risk of developing certain complications:
1. Slower Post-Surgical Recovery Process
Post-surgery recovery is dependent on a healthy and strong immune system, enabling faster wound healing and an overall improved surgical experience.
An overweight body can sometimes lead to a corrupted immune system, making the patient more likely to develop unpleasant surgical complications and be exposed to more risks than a person with a normal BMI. Therefore, a better health and immune system, a better surgical experience.
2. Fat Liver Associated Problems
A fatty liver is usually a condition found in people who are overweight or obese and have a high BMI. This means that the liver is flooded with fat cells instead of regular healthy lover cells, and the fat deposits interrupt the proper functioning of the liver, leading to higher surgery risks.
3. Higher Infection and Inflammation Risks
Compared to patients with a normal weight, those with higher BMI may experience a higher risk of post-operative pain, inflammation, and other infection risks. It is well-known that healing responses are slower in overweight and obese patients, who tend to experience a greater degree of bruising, swelling, fluid retention, and discomfort.
4. Anesthesia Medication Issues
Modern general anesthesia is very safe. However, if you have high levels of excess weight, it can be harder to locate your veins due to excess fatty tissue. This can take a long time and can result in bruising your arms, but it is essential to administer your anesthetic.
5. Higher risk of cardiovascular problems
Extremely rich vascular networks surround fat tissue. Obesity will cause an increase in total blood flow and cardiac output due to increased metabolic demand, which is induced by excessive body weight.
6. Increased Risk of Stroke
The increased risk of stroke in obese people is due to high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, as well as the inflammatory condition that accompanies the excess accumulation of adipose tissue.
How To Lose Weight Before Surgery And Improve Your Health?
Suppose you are planning surgery and wish to become a good surgical candidate, hoping for the best surgical outcomes and decreased complications and risks. In that case, it’s probably time to change your lifestyle and upgrade your health habits:
More Exercise
Increasing the level of activity before surgery can make a real difference to how quickly you heal after the procedure. Regular exercise determines weight loss but also significantly improves heart and lung function.
Being as physically active as possible before and after surgery can reduce the risk of blood clots. Patients should also consider specific exercises to increase muscle strength, depending on the type of surgery performed.
Low-Calorie Diet
A low-fat diet for a minimum of two weeks before surgery is very important and helps with liver function. Start by reducing or eliminating any carbohydrate and dietary fats, especially refined sugars and saturated fats. It has been shown that losing even a few pounds before plastic surgery can reduce the risk of post-operative complications.
Immediately Quit Smoking
Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood and damages some mechanisms that protect your lungs from infections. Quitting smoking, ideally six weeks before surgery, helps to increase the level of oxygen in the blood. In return, this will make anesthesia safer, speed up wound healing and reduce associated risks of chest infections.
Stop Drinking Alcohol
It is important not to consume more than one glass of wine a day for women and no more than two glasses for men. Alcohol makes the blood thinner, and caffeine can easily raise blood pressure, so stopping their use is helpful before surgery.
Final Words
It is important to have realistic expectations about plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery cannot change your life or make you 20 years younger.
In addition, if you are overweight, a smoker, or consume a large amount of alcohol, you have a higher risk of complications, and the results of the cosmetic intervention may not last as durable as you would like.
Remember also that any plastic surgery results will be maintained as long as the weight is maintained. An active lifestyle and a healthy diet are the most important elements, the true allies in maintaining results for a long time.