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Innovations in technology and methods have made plastic surgery in Brandon, Florida, increasingly safer over the last few decades. However, while the risks and complications associated with most procedures are low, a recent study suggests that if you are overweight, you should reconsider plastic surgery. The study found that obese patients have a higher chance of developing complications after their surgery.

Obesity isn’t just being Overweight

To understand this particular study, we first need to understand the researchers term “obese.” Individuals who are heavier than their average weight are not necessarily considered obese. Doctors near Lakeland, FL, rely on an individual’s body mass index (BMI) to determine obesity. BMI is calculated by your weight divided by your height. Typically, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered normal, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese.

Post-Surgical Complications Associated with Obesity

The study includes data of approximately 48,000 plastic surgery patients, which included a variety of plastic surgery procedures, from breast augmentation to liposuction. Of the studied patients, almost 2,000 were considered to be obese. These obese patients had a much higher risk of complication, with more than 7% of patients being admitted to the hospital within 30 days of their operation.

Patients of normal weight counted for 4% of patients that visited the hospital following their procedures. The researchers came to the conclusion that obese patients were 35% more likely to experience complications after plastic surgery.

Additionally, the post-operative complications also add a financial burden for obese patients. The obese patients in this particular study paid between $4,000 and $7,000 more for their services after healing was complete. These extra costs is most likely due to most insurance companies that do not cover post-surgical complications for elective procedures.

It is necessary to state that plastic surgery always carries some risk for all unique individuals. However, if you are thinking about undergoing an aesthetic surgery near Riverview, FL, keep in mind that obese patients may deal with higher costs and complications. It is always important to talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon about all of these risks, whether you are obese or not.