We know that you want to look and feel your best — and that can be difficult if you’re uncomfortable in your skin. For some, body contouring procedures allow them to reclaim their bodies and move forward in confidence. However, your body mass index (BMI) might contribute more to the outcome of your procedure than you think.
Body mass index estimates your body fat percentage based on weight and height using a formula. This number is important for plastic surgeons to determine how to proceed with the procedure and helps them assess the aesthetic outcomes.
Our expert, Omar Beidas, MD, FACS, is here to share his expert insights and explain the role of BMI in body contouring procedures.
A Closer Look at Body Contouring Procedures
“Body contouring is not a specific surgery but rather any type of surgery to enhance or rejuvenate the patient’s body,” says Dr. Beidas. He continues, “This can be as simple as a tummy tuck or mommy makeover, or as complex as a multi-stage procedure to contour the entire body.”
Some patients have a specific body part they want to enhance. While there’s nothing wrong with this desire, Dr. Beidas likes to take a more holistic approach. “I take a comprehensive approach when patients come in for body contouring to ensure physical harmony,” says Dr. Beidas. “For example, if only the abdomen is treated, there may not be consistency in their appearance when compared to other body parts like the back or breasts. In some cases, this can make the outcomes look less natural, and my goal is to treat the entire body rather than one area.”
How Your BMI Affects Body Contouring Procedures
“BMI isn’t the best tool to measure obesity, but it’s the easiest number to calculate when assessing a patient for surgery,” says Dr. Beidas. “A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 25. Reviewing body contouring procedures with your doctor is important because, generally, better results are seen when patients' BMI is under 32 for women and under 35 for men.”
Dr. Beidas recommends that patients with a BMI over 32 for women and 35 for men lose weight before pursuing these procedures. This is because there is a greater risk of complications during the surgery, like seroma formation (fluid buildup under the skin) and wound healing issues, and the outcome won’t be as aesthetic as most patients desire. “It’s important to remember that body contouring is not a weight-loss procedure, so patients should be at their goal weight before surgery,” says Dr. Beidas.
The Best Candidates for Body Contouring
As mentioned, ideal candidates for body contouring surgeries are individuals with a BMI below 32 for women and under 35 for men. “We like to see the patient be relatively fit, active and leading a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Beidas. “Patients looking for weight loss methods should consider a lifestyle change, medication-assisted weight loss or bariatric surgery before body contouring.”
If you’ve tried nonsurgical treatment methods that haven’t satisfied you, you make a great candidate for body contouring surgery if your BMI is within the appropriate range. Other qualities of a good candidate include:
- A willingness to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness
- Nonsmokers
- Those with a positive outlook and realistic goals
It’s important that you speak to your doctor if you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate for body contouring surgery. You should also consider the recovery time for these procedures to decide if it’s right for you. Most body contouring procedures require a few weeks of initial healing and take several months to recover fully. You can expect to return to work 2 to 4 weeks post-operation.
How Body Contouring Can Benefit Your Health
Dr. Beidas tells us, “Overall, body contouring helps to rejuvenate the patient’s body and allows them to feel their best.” While some might think health benefits don’t go beyond the emotional desires of body contouring, there’s more than meets the eye.
Depending on the surgery, there can be significant physical benefits for patients. “For example, abdominoplasty has been shown to improve lower back pain, urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction,” says Dr. Beidas. We recommend discussing your desired health benefits with your doctor before surgery to ensure you receive the outcome that’s right for you.
Helping You Look and Feel Your Best
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. You deserve to feel confident in your skin, and our expert plastic surgeons are here to help you reclaim your body and move forward in confidence. Visit us here to request an appointment.
