When having cosmetic surgery, you need to take your BMI into consideration, but what is BMI and how it can impact surgery.

If you would like to calculate your BMI or discuss with us please visit our Body Mass Index page.

What is BMI?

BMI is your Body Mass Index. It is an indicator of your overall body size and is calculated using your height and weight (Weight (Kg) divided by height(cm)).

BMI Ranges

  • <18.5: Underweight
  • 18.5 – 24.9: Healthy
  • 25.0 – 29.9: Overweight
  • >30.0: Obese

 

Having a BMI too low or too high can have serious health implications such as high blood pressure or diabetes. It is important to be at a stable weight that is within the healthy range on the BMI scale if you are considering cosmetic surgery. This not only minimizes risks during surgery and post operatively, but it can also lead to better surgical results.

What are the risks of high BMI when having cosmetic surgery?

Being overweight and having a high BMI can be challenging when having cosmetic procedures, especially under General Anaesthetic. It can be more difficult to locate veins to deliver anaesthesia and medications intravenously. There is a higher risk of infection, wound breakdown, delayed wound healing and collection of fluids (Seroma) and the risk of blood clots and heart attacks are greater. Normally if you have a BMI above 30 you may be advised to lose weight.

BMI and long-term cosmetic results.

It is advisable to lose weight and achieve a normal BMI before your surgery, not after.  Losing weight would result in more lax skin and redundant folds.  your surgeon would be able to remove the folds and tighten the skin during surgery resulting in a much better result.  Losing weight after surgery would leave you with less than ideal tight skin!

Is it always the case that you cannot have cosmetic surgery if your BMI is above 30?

BMI does not account for other factors such as age and muscle mass which means some people can have a higher BMI and are not necessarily overweight in an unhealthy point of view. Alternatively, a low BMI may not necessarily be healthier than someone with a higher BMI as there may be other risk factors such as smoking. Your surgeon will take a full medical history, including BMI and will determine if surgery is safe for you.

 

What about Low BMI?

Low BMI is also a risk factor for having cosmetic surgery and can cause complications with anaesthesia and the healing process too.

 

In summary

Cosmetic surgery can improve appearance but it has its limits, it cannot create perfection. However, with a BMI within the normal range and realistic expectations recovery from the procedure will be quicker and can lead to better results.