At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we’re very pleased with the enthusiastic response our weekly Google Hangouts have been receiving from viewers near and far. Dr. Thomas A. Pane, our Chief Medical Officer and founder, believes that patient education is the single most important service ACA can provide, which is why he makes himself available to answer questions from people who call, email and ask questions on Facebook. These weekly Google Hangouts have been particularly successful because the questions come from real people who are considering, having or have had cosmetic surgery procedures, allowing Dr. Pane to not only answer the individual’s question, but possibly help others with the same or a similar question at the same time!
This week’s Question of the Week comes from a Facebook user and follower of ACA’s Facebook page. This user asks, “Is there a weight factor for Brazilian butt lift, breast augmentation, Mommy Makeover and tummy tuck? I’m around 150 pounds and want to maintain a weight of around 155, with a BMI [Body Mass Index] of 27. Is this a good weight to have these procedures?” Dr. Pane chose this question because these procedures are often lumped together, but often are done separately, in stages.
Dr. Pane pointed out that these procedures are rarely done all at once, but typically spaced out over a period of time. Dr. Pane said that he would normally start with the Brazilian butt lift, for the purpose of harvesting adipose, or fatty, tissue that could be used elsewhere for sculpting and shaping, as with a breast augmentation procedure, rather than allowing this tissue to go to waste.
He also observed that a weight of 155 with a Body Mass Index of 27 is generally considered a little high, but not quite into the obese category. BMI is based on a given patient’s height, weight and gender. While 155 is not necessarily an ideal weight, it is not outside what are typically considered safe parameters for most patients, assuming other health problems or risk factors are not in play. His primary concern here is that the patient’s weight remains relatively stable. As long as the weight is stable and the patient’s skin is basically healthy and in good condition, it should not pose a bar to these procedures. As long as the patient is not in the obese category or experiencing excessive weight fluctuation, the patient would still be a viable candidate for this type of cosmetic surgery.
It is important to remember that height, weight and BMI are only a few of the factors that may influence whether or not a given patient can undergo certain procedures with a reasonable degree of safety. All surgical procedures carry some inherent risk. Also, every patient is unique, and factors such as age, overall physical condition, general state of health and specific medical issues must all be considered when determining whether a given procedure is suitable, safe and likely to be effective for a given candidate. Habits such as smoking, consumption of alcohol and routine sun exposure can all have an impact on a patient’s viability as a candidate for cosmetic surgery, but these must be evaluated directly by an experienced cosmetic surgeon to minimize the risk and maximize the results.
Another factor that patients must take into account is post-surgical aftercare and maintenance. Keeping follow-up appointments, adhering to post-operative instructions for cleaning and care of the surgical sites and diligently taking any medications prescribed due to the procedure are all crucial steps that can make or break the results a patient sees. For this reason, patients are strongly encouraged to be well-informed about the potential risks and benefits of a given procedure and to set reasonable expectations for the outcome before committing to cosmetic surgery. Seeking out an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Pane, who is board certified in cosmetic and general surgery, for the initial procedure and follow-up care can also greatly enhance the efficacy and results the patient can expect.
If you have a question for Dr. Pane or ACA, we invite you to contact us through our website, call us at 561-422-4116, visit our weekly Google Hangout with Dr. Pane and/or follow our Facebook page. It’s possible that your question might be ACA’s next Question of the Week, to be answered live on the air by Dr. Pane himself! Even better, you might also be helping others who have the same question, but may be shy about asking. Remember, the only bad question is the one you don’t ask, and at ACA, we love to work with educated, informed patients!