Am I A Suitable Weight For Plastic Surgery?

When it comes to Plastic Surgery procedures in Australia, maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) is essential for your safety. If your BMI falls within a healthy range, you’ll minimise your own exposure to risk of complications during and after your surgery and increase the likliehood of optimal results. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of BMI where Plastic Surgery is concerned and why we use it as part of your assessment for Plastic Surgery. 

Are there weight restrictions for Plastic Surgery in Australia?

While there isn’t a specific ‘weight’ restriction, Plastic Surgeons in Australia insist that any client undergoing Plastic Surgery be within a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) prior to their surgery.

Achieving a healthy BMI before surgery typically leads to better surgical outcomes, a smoother recovery and faster healing. For these reasons, your Plastic Surgeon will not accept clients with a BMI considered too high or too low.

Importantly, weight gain in the future can also negatively impact on results, so we encourage clients to achieve and maintain their ideal weight or healthy BMI for at least 6-months before their surgery.

What is Body Mass Index?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure used to assesses the amount of body fat relative to your height and weight. You can calculate your BMI using the Heart Foundation BMI Calculator. You can also calculate your BMI using this formula

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²

Unlike weight as a measure, BMI considers your height – so if you’re taller, you’re naturally expected to weigh more than someone who is shorter. 

Importantly, a BMI is not a perfect indicator, and does not measure how healthy you are. It also doesn’t take into account important factors like age, gender and body composition (fat, muscle and bone). Because of these limitations, BMI is not an effective measure for those with a higher muscle mass such as athletes, or those with lower muscle mass such as children or the elderly. 

What Does My BMI need to be for Plastic Surgery?

The ideal BMI for surgery is likely to vary according to the nature of your surgery. Some of our Plastic Surgeons will not accept clients with a BMI below 17 or over 30. Conversely, for clients undergoing Weight Loss Surgery, the client’s BMI must be greater than 35.

For personalised advice regarding your suitability for surgery, please submit an enquiry below and one of our team members will be in touch.

Why Is BMI Important for Plastic Surgery?

Your health and safety is our utmost priority. So as well as other measures, our Plastic Surgeons will evaluate your BMI when assessing your suitability for surgery.

Clients with a BMI that falls outside the acceptable range for surgery are at greater risk of: 

• Anaethesia Complications
• Wound Infection
• Increaesd Inflammation and Swelling
• Slow or Delayed Healing
• Seroma
• Haematoma
• Poor Wound Healing, Tissue Necrosis and Poor Scarring
• Heightened Pain during Recovery
• Aesthetic Results that Fall Short of Your Expectations

What if my BMI is Too High?

As part of our free online Assessment process, your BMI will be evaluated. If your BMI is deemed too high by your Surgeon, they will recommend that you work towards lowering your BMI before proceeding with your surgery plans.

Weight Management and Plastic Surgery

I’m trying to lose weight. When Can I Start Planning My Surgery?

First and foremost, well done! You’re one step closer to becoming eligible for Plastic Surgery in Australia.

Unfortunately however, we are only able to assess your suitability for surgery once you have reached your goal weight. In addition to the risks mentioned above relating to a high BMI, fluctuations in weight are likely to impact on your skin. As such, our personalised surgical recommendation may change after your acheive your desired weight

For additional tools and tips on managing your weight effectively during your journey, we recommend you reach out to your GP or other trusted health practictioner. The Healthy Weight Action Plan by the Heart Foundation is also a wonderful client resource.

Further Information

To find out more, contact our Client Support Team on 1300 000 633. Alternatively, submit an online enquiry.