The simple answer: yes. Diabetic patients with properly controlled and managed blood sugar levels can expect to have good results with a tummy tuck. The biggest factor that determines if a diabetic is a good candidate for a tummy tuck is how well they are able to manage their blood sugar and how responsibly they handle their diabetes overall. Some studies even suggest tummy tuck and liposuction can help support healthy insulin action for diabetics.
If you are a non-insulin dependent diabetes patient, with normal Hemoglobin A1C levels and adequate glucose control, you are at a less risk in terms of surgical complications from tummy tuck or anesthesia.
While cosmetic surgery might help some diabetic patients, it’s important to make sure you keep a consistent weight and manage your diabetes properly before surgery. Also, while diabetic patients can undergo cosmetic surgery, these patients do present additional concerns and requirements for a surgeon, so for a healthy procedure it’s important to find a skilled surgeon who has experience in performing surgeries for diabetic patients specifically. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience and a strong history of great results for diabetic patients. Even with a skilled surgeon, you can expect your procedure to carry a bit of additional risk, like any surgery will for patients with these conditions. Healing is also a bit slower, and your doctor should work with you to help you understand what the timeframes and healing process will look like for you specifically.
If you are a diabetic and planning on a tummy tuck, take the following into consideration:
- Some surgeons will not perform cosmetic surgery for diabetic patients. In this situation, move on to a different surgeon. When you find a quality surgeon who is happy to work with you on this procedure, make sure to share your medical records (including recent lab work and blood sugar ranges, if necessary) with your plastic surgeon
- Inform your diabetes doctor of your intended surgery, and if possible, try to seek his or her guidance before going forward with a tummy tuck.
- Seek out opportunities for your doctors to work together. Every doctor’s approach is different, but some doctors will schedule additional time for you to meet with your anesthesiologist and/or your diabetes doctor on the day of surgery, to make sure you have clear instructions on how to manage your insulin and/or other medications during recovery.
The good news is that having Type 2 diabetes does not necessarily prevent you from having an abdominoplasty. At the same time, it’s important to have realistic expectations of how your diabetes adds to your surgical risk, and for excellent results it’s a must to manage your diabetes responsibly and carefully before and after surgery. Your control of your condition is crucial to achieve better healing and more satisfying results.
Dr. Francesco Campanile is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is also fellowship trained in hand and microsurgery. Dr. Campanile knows that making a lasting change to your appearance is a big decision. His calm, professional approach and deep caring for his patients set a tone that will help you feel confident and relaxed while reviewing your options and learning all about the procedures that can benefit you. Request a consultation today to meet with Dr. Campanile in person.
