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By Dr. Thomas Su | February 22, 2021

What Should My BMI Be for Good Belly Liposuction Results?

If you’re planning to have stomach lipo, you’ll want to know your belly liposuction results will be everything you desire. After all, the whole point of undergoing the procedure is to achieve a flat, toned stomach. With this in mind, you might be wondering what your BMI should be to get the best outcome.

It’s important to remember that lipo isn’t a weight loss procedure. The actual volume of fat removed from the body is relatively low. Instead, the procedure involves sculpting the fat for a more attractive appearance. For this reason, if you’re carrying too much weight, you won’t achieve the flat, toned stomach you desire.

If your BMI is too high, you may also be at greater risk of problems during your procedure. Here, we take a closer look at everything you need to know about your BMI and liposuction.

What Is My BMI?

Doctors use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine whether you have the appropriate weight for your height. You can work yours out by dividing your body weight in kilos by the square of your height measured in meters. It’s best to do this using an online BMI calculator.

An ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. This is the range classified as “normal weight.” If you have a BMI below 18.5, you’re underweight. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are overweight. If your BMI is between 30 and 34.9, you are obese, and over 35 is morbidly obese.

I’m Overweight, Can I Have Belly Lipo?

In general, liposuction is only really suitable for people who are at or near their ideal BMIs. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you are an ideal candidate. However, patients who are slightly overweight can also achieve good results.

If you are within 20 and 30 pounds of your ideal weight, you could also be a suitable candidate. This equates to an approximate BMI of between 28 and 33. If you are very obese, though, stomach liposuction isn’t a good choice for you. One reason for this is that surgeons only remove a small amount of fat during the procedure. If you have a lot of excess weight to lose, this small amount will barely be noticeable. Therefore, you will be unsatisfied with your outcome.

The Health Implications

If you have a high BMI, you’re more likely to have health issues that could present risks during your procedure. Circulatory problems are common in obese patients, while hypertension, diabetes, and a greater risk of strokes are also potential risks.

To recover well from your procedure, you need to be in good overall health. This is the only way to ensure good healing and a speedy recovery. If your BMI is too high, you may have reduced immunity. This could put you at risk of infection or complications. You may also experience more inflammation and pain after your surgery because of your excess body weight.

Therefore, to achieve the best belly liposuction results, you should aim to reach your target weight before surgery. This will ensure you get the outcome you’ve always dreamed of.

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