The art of plastic surgery is an ever-advancing field. If you are considered “plus-size,” you may have been told you must lose weight to be eligible for a tummy tuck – but times have changed. Dr. Repta performs a custom technique, the Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. This groundbreaking surgery allows higher BMI patients to finally be free from excess fat and tissue located on the abdomen and enjoy life with a flatter, firmer, sculpted tummy.
Let’s start off with the basics: What is a plus size tummy tuck?
A plus size tummy tuck is a tummy tuck (aka abdominoplasty) on patients that are plus size. Usually, a plus size individual is someone with a BMI greater than 30 or 35. BMI stands for body mass index and takes into account your height and weight. A person’s BMI is often used as an indirect way of calculating how overweight someone is and by extension what their health is like.
What is the difference between a regular tummy tuck and a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®?
All components from the education of the patient before surgery, to the design of the tummy tuck, how liposuction is performed, the anesthesia provided during surgery, and how the patient is taken care of after surgery have all been modified to allow us to get the best result possible safely and effectively. All of these changes together are why a tummy tuck can be safely and effectively performed for patients with a high BMI.
Real Results
Take a look at this remarkable transformation of our 30-year-old patient, who, with a BMI of 60.5 at 5’1” and 320 pounds, underwent a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®.
During the procedure, 18.8 pounds of excess tissue were removed from the lower abdomen, and a total of 3300ml of liposuction was performed on the bilateral flanks and abdomen. The results showcase an incredible improvement in her abdominal contour, boosting her comfort and confidence.
This tailored approach was designed to address her unique needs, resulting in a beautifully sculpted silhouette and a significant transformation.
Am I a candidate for a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®?
Candidates for this innovative surgery are in good general health, non-smokers, and have lost a large amount of weight, whether through dieting and exercise or bariatric surgery. You may have been hoping to achieve the ideal weight but struggled to shed those final pounds.
If you are tired of seeing your body with any of the following aesthetic problems, you deserve to find out more about our Plus Size Tummy Tuck® procedure:
- A fatty, bulging abdomen
- Loose, stretched abdominal muscles
- A bulging waist
- A large quantity of excess skin
- A “pannus” or drooping area of skin and tissue (also called “fat apron belly”)
- You were told lose weight before being eligible for a tummy tuck
You may be a good candidate for this groundbreaking surgery if:
- You are in good health and safe to undergo surgery
- You understand the procedure, recovery, and what to expect
- You are not pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- You do not smoke
- Your abdomen is loose and flabby, and you are ready for a transformation
Do I need to be at my ideal weight before having a tummy tuck?
Many people have dreamed of undergoing a tummy tuck to repair stretched, loose abdominal muscles, and remove excess fat and skin. It may be almost impossible to lose those final 20 or 30 pounds, and a large majority of people who seek a tummy tuck from Dr. Repta are, to some degree, overweight. With an advanced surgical technique, you can finally achieve a more sculpted body contour, and the tummy tuck, planned with care, can jumpstart that final weight loss, creating a slimmer waist, smooth lower abdomen, and an attractive hourglass figure.
Why is BMI important with regards to tummy tuck surgery?
In the past, research pointed to increased complications for patients with a BMI higher than 30 or 35 who had body-contouring procedures such as tummy tuck surgery. Since BMI is not an accurate measure of a person’s health, some patients with good health and high BMI were lumped into the category of “high risk for surgery”. Over the past fourteen years, I have modified the standard tummy tuck surgery procedure to allow high BMI patients to undergo surgery safely and effectively thereby creating the Plus Size Tummy Tuck® procedure.
How high of a patient’s BMI have we performed surgery on?
I have successfully done my Plus Size Tummy Tuck® procedure on patients with a BMI of 83. By evaluating the entire aspect of a patient’s health and by modifying every aspect of the tummy tuck process, even patients with as high of a BMI as 83 can undergo important body contouring procedures safely.
Plus Size Tummy Tuck Before & After
This patient shown is less than 24 hours after getting a plus size tummy tuck. Her BMI was 83 prior to surgery. Despite her high BMI, we were able to help her by safely removing a significant amount of tissue and fat from her waist and improve her contour.
This patient is in her early fifties and had a BMI (body mass index) of 46. She desired to reduce the size of her abdomen to allow greater mobility as well as to narrow and shape the waist. To accomplish this we performed a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® which included removal of skin via a horizontal and vertical incision, liposuction of the abdomen and sides of the waist, as well as muscle tightening. She is shown here three months after her procedure with a drastically improved abdomen and waist contour. With a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® the design of the tummy tuck, liposuction amount and areas, as well as the post-operative process is modified to allow a high BMI patient to achieve a great result safely.
The benefits of a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®
You may feel embarrassed about the condition of your body and feel you must wear loose clothing to try to hide bulging areas of fat and tissue. If you are a good candidate for our Plus Size Tummy Tuck®, you will enjoy these benefits:
- Your clothing fits your body beautifully
- Your tummy zone is flatter and smoother
- Skin and tissue folds are removed
- Your abdominal muscles and core are tighter and firmer
- Issues related to chafing are resolved
- Exercise will be easier
- No more hiding your figure
Are there any benefits to undergoing a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® other than shape and appearance?
Yes. Although shape and appearance are important, there are a variety of other benefits that can be seen after undergoing a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. Among these benefits; improved mobility, prevention of skin breakdown and rashes in the skin folds, improved self-esteem and motivation for lifestyle changes, and improvement in some physiologic markers associated with the removal of excess fat can and are often seen. Ongoing research is showing that these positive changes are maintained long term.
How much does a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® cost?
We understand that the cost of surgery is an important part of many of our prospective patients’ decision process. Although we can and do provide approximate costs for our procedures it is important to know that Dr. Repta custom designs each and every one of his surgeries for each patient. Because of this and because each patient may have a different starting point as well as a final goal, the approximate cost of a procedure with Dr. Repta will be fairly broad.
A Plus Size Tummy Tuck® will have a cost range between $35 – $55K. Your actual surgery cost may be slightly below or above this range, depending on a variety of factors. This estimated range includes Dr. Repta’s surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, and operating costs. The only additional costs you will have is your own travel costs to Scottsdale Arizona and your accommodations after surgery once you leave our overnight facility.
Who shouldn’t undergo aPlus Size Tummy Tuck®?
Any patient that is not healthy enough for elective surgery should not have a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. Significant health concerns with the heart, lungs, uncontrolled diabetes, and other health related items should be carefully evaluated and medically cleared by the patient’s primary care doctor or specialist prior to proceeding. The goal is to get the best result possible and to do so safely, so factors that may impact this safety are important to evaluate thoroughly.
Dr. Remus Repta
Excellence
Not all plastic surgeons have the skills, experience, and techniques to perform a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. Dr. Repta is recognized as being one of the most talented plastic surgeons in the nation and has developed innovative surgical techniques. He is the co-author of a plastic surgery reference book used the world over. He has presented his groundbreaking body contouring techniques at regional, national, and international meetings and conferences. Beyond his impressive qualifications, Dr. Repta has a warm, caring personality and provides dedicated attention and care. You can be confident that your journey will be comfortable, safe, and produce a life-changing result.
