Great News! Study Shows No Added Risk for Tummy Tucks and Obese Patients

Tummy Tucks and Obese Patients | Dr. John Park, Newport Beach

Great News! Study Shows No Added Risk for Tummy Tucks and Obese Patients

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the US, instantly giving women and men the flat, taut tummy they want. It’s also one of the most requested procedures at John Park MD Plastic Surgery, where patients of all sizes enjoy life-changing, incredible tummy-tuck results. One of the first questions patients often ask when considering a tummy tuck is, “Is a tummy tuck really for me?” This can especially be true with patients who carry some extra weight, because sometimes certain surgeries mean higher risks for these patients.

The Relieving Truth

However, a recent study published in Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery has found that there are zero increased risks for obese patients who undergo a tummy tuck. The official medical journal for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons printed the findings, which considered 82 patients during a 7-year period. Of these patients, 21 were classified as obese. Researchers compared complication rates and follow-up care, and discovered that the risk factors were nearly identical between obese and non-obese patients.

The one notable difference was the amount of fluid collection beneath the skin. Drainage is required for most patients, regardless of weight, after a tummy tuck. It is a perfectly natural occurrence after a tummy tuck, and patients have a small, easy-to-hide drainage system in place for a few days after the procedure. These drainage devices collect the fluid, which can be easily disposed of during recovery. The researchers found that obese patients had a fluid retention rate of 22.5 percent compared to the average 14.2 percent rate for non-obese patients. What this ultimately means is that the former group had to dispose of the fluid a little more often than the other group.

No patient in the study developed blood clots. Overall, all 82 patients enjoyed a successful procedure with amazing results. About 130,000 tummy tucks are performed every year in the US, and now there’s supporting evidence that it can be a great procedure for many types of patients. According to the researchers, “patients with a BMI greater than 30 in and of itself should not be viewed as a strict contraindication to tummy tucks.”

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Ready to see if a tummy tuck in Newport Beach is right for you? Contact John Park MD Plastic Surgery today and schedule your complimentary consultation.



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