Risks of Body Contouring Surgery Rise with Increased BMI

We've long suspected this, but now a recent study confirms the link between increased body mass index (BMI) and complications of body contouring surgery, such as tummy tucks, thigh lifts, breast reduction, and other similar procedures. The study, published in the July/August 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, showed an increase in the complication rate with increasing obesity.

A statistically significant association was found between increasing BMI and an increased number of complications and poorer outcomes. Specifically, the percentage of complication increased as weight category increased. Major complications increased progressively from 6.6% in the ideal weight group to a shockingly high 43.7% in the severely morbidly obese group (BMI>40). Major risks were defined as wound breakdown, need for hospital readmission, re-operation, or death.

In particular, risks seemed to increase substantially with any BMI above 30-34.

Patients and surgeons alike need to be aware of these findings. In addition to making wound healing and anesthesia more complicated, many secondary medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease, are more common in patients with an increased BMI.