Plastic Surgery - Denied for Diabetes?

I have a NON-WLS friend who is considering a tummy tuck. 

She is a diabetic and concerned with complications that may arise due to her diabetes.  (She is also concerned she won't even be a candidate due to her diabetes.)

From dealing with my OWN blood sugar problems for years, I had always thought that as long as your sugar was controlled, even though you may have diabetes, that you probably wouldn't be outright turned away.  However, since speaking to her, I have researched a TINY bit and seen where some people have been turned away - from PS specifically - for being diabetic.  (I'm guessing due to the extensive incisions usually associated with PS and wound healing problems usually associated with diabetes.)  Obviously even if she IS approved medically to get PS in spite of her diabetes, she's obviously scared of surgery - especially given her diabetes. 

So I thought I'd drop in to ask everybody (even though this is not a WLS related PS question) some questions for her. 

1) Were any of you diabetic or knew a diabetic who had PS? 

2) Did you or they have any problems?

3) Did you or they have to have any special care or treatment?

4) Were you or anyone you know turned down or discouraged by a PS (or any DR) against PS because of diabetes?

I'm going to copy all your responses to her. 

Thanks so much! 

Wen

Hi Wen,

I always read your postings and I am sort of like your friend. I'm 57 years old and am still a type 2 diabetic in spite of the weight I've lost as well as still having mild sleep apnea.

That being said, I am scheduled to have an extended TT on January 18th, 2010. I obviously have to get allot of tests done, but I have not been discouraged at all from having PS. We are going slowly and not overly aggressively since my abdomen is by far the worst. I hope this helps your friend. My surgeon is Dr. Mitchel Krieger of Faifax VA.

Diana

Hi Diana!

Thanks for much for the reply!

Good luck on your upcoming procedure!

Wen

Hi Wedny
 I am a type 2 diabetic despite all the WLS and I had a TT & hysterectomy together last Dec.
inner thigh lift , back & butt, in april 09 and 2 weeks agp I just had a brachio, Bleph and lipo check out my pix and see my scars.

your BS must be under control A1C around 8. my PS couldn/t believe how well I healed and how great my incisions look. Thank God NO problems and I was never discouraged from surgery , the only problem I have with surgery is that my BS goes up after surgery and will stay out of wack for about 3 months this am it was 134.
if you BS is out of control you may not heal good and it may take longer & greater risk for infection
Susan

Hi Susan!

She didn't mention whether or not the sugar was under control.

But that's kind of what I was thinking - as long as it's under control, it should be fine. 

Thanks for the reply!

Wen

Hi Susan,

Your BS or HBA1C was around 8? Isn't that a bit high? I'm afraid that since my HBA1C was 7.2 last month, that I might be too high. But you did great healing with it around 8? YES! Thanks for the insight.

Diana

yes 8 is high for a normal but it is ok to do surgery with you will  heal that is what they tell me my norm is 7.3

Thanks Susan,

One less thing to worry about!

Diana

Hi Wendy!

I have Type 2 Diabetes and will be having my PS one week from today!

Dr. Sauceda ordered an additional test for my A1C count and it is normal so I'm good to go for surgery!


DW

Great! Thanks for the reply!

And good luck on your upcoming procedure!

Wen