Hi. I have a question. I have high blood pressure and I'm a pre-diabetic. I wanted to know was a tummy tuck safe for me? Thank you!
Although high blood pressure and pre-diabetic state are not the primary risk factors, like smoking and tendency for blood clothing, you had better to get a clearance from a specialist of Internal Medicine before deciding to have a tummy tuck operation.
A good place to start is with your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Ask for pre-operative cardiac clearance for an elective general anesthetic procedure. This has been a standard in our office for decades. If they say you are OK then, seek evaluation by an ASPS member in your area for a TT. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
I have perform tummy tucks on patients with a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. However, their blood pressure and glucose are usually well controlled. They also will go for a pre-medical clearance with their medical doctor prior to surgery.
Yes, it can be safe to have a tummy tuck if you are medically optimized. Your high blood pressure should be treated by your medical doctor and stable. Your pre diabetes should be addressed with proper diet and your A1C should be stable. Your primary care doctor will work with your plastic surgeon and it will minimize the risk of any complications. Ideally your BMI should be around 30 or less. Best wishes to you!
Thank you for sharing your excellent question. If you are otherwise a good candidate for surgery it would be important to have your medical doctors optimize both your high blood pressure and diabetes prior to surgery to help minimize the risk of complications. Hope this helps
Thank you for asking your question. It is very important to know that not every patient is a good candidate for surgery and not every patient with a health problem is a bad candidate for surgery.
How do we decide whether you are an adequate candidate for surgery?
1) What is the complexity of the surgery?
2) What type of anesthesia will be required?
3) Your age and weight?
4) The type of health conditions you may have and how severe they are.
See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a consultation. After you both decide the right procedure for you, the surgeon will help coordinate all the safety precautions we can use to make sure you have a safe experience.
They will decide whether you need medical clearance before proceeding forward.
Dear Chasity,
Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Provided that your medical issues are well-controlled, then yes, you can safely have a tummy tuck. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!
Thank you for your question and doing your homework with ASPS member surgeons. Patient safety is of the utmost importance and assessing your risk factors prior to surgery will help your board-certified plastic surgeon determine the best treatment plan for you as an individual. It is best to have your primary care provider help you optimize your health status and provide a medical clearance to the plastic surgeon you select. It is important to allow time to treat existing medical conditions, so don't rush into surgery. Find the right surgeon who can work with you to develop a plan that fits your goals, health status, budget, and timeline. Best wishes on a great result and speedy recovery.
Thank you for your question! It normally is recommended by your plastic surgeon to be seen by your primary medical doctor (PMD) for a pre-operative assessment. Your PMD will assist in coordinating normally with your cardiologist and endocrinologist if he or she has any concerns with your current health status. Most likely, depending on your age especially, you will need to get an EKG and labs to assess your pre-diabetic condition and Hemaglobin A1c. Your plastic surgeon will review the risks for surgery prior to surgery to help educate you further in anticipation of the upcoming procedure. If your blood pressure is in good control and blood glucose values are at a healthy state, you can still undergo an abdominoplasty. I hope this helps!!