Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Can I get surgery to remove excess skin from weight loss?

Salaam.

I have been obese for most of my life and just recently I have lost over 80 pounds,  but I have a lot of leftover skin all over my my body and my breasts. I wanted to know if I could have some surgery to get rid of the skin? I don't know what sort of surgery I would need, so I just wanted to know if I could get it done.

I heard that depending on how bad it is, I may need a few surgeries, be it plastic or whatever. This isn't me doing it to be beautiful but it is really affecting me in many different ways with clothing issues and comfort issues so please don't think I am doing this for me to beautify myself.

Thank you. 🙂

-Anastasia


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9 Responses »

  1. Salam sister! Wow!! Masha Allah! You lost over 80 pounds?! I can't even lose ONE! Good job!

    Anyway, haha, I am no scholar. But from what I've heard, there's no harm in doing something for your health.
    The only time it's haram is when you don't like the way you were made, and you go to a plastic surgen and make it the way you like it.

    You're not doing that. Losing weight is encouraged in Islam, and if there's excess skin hanging around for no apparent reason, by all means, I think it's permissible to get rid of it.

    I hope I was some help, but if not, I recommend talking to a scholar about it, and of course, making du'a and asking Allah tala Himself.

    I'm just very proud of you for losing all that weight, Allhamdulilah. May Allah continue to guide you, and help you through this. Amen.


  2. Assalamoallaikum,

    Islam is such a beautiful religion which wants every one to remain in the best of health. There is no harm in being healthy since obesity creates a problem on its own. You can opt for surgery. I pray that you are successful in your aim. Inshallah

  3. Allah The Almighty says the followings:

    ...He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are compelled by necessity... (Quran 6: 119)

    But if anyone is compelled, without desiring or exceeding, he commits no sin. God is Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 2: 173)

    ...But if anyone is compelled by necessity, without being deliberate or malicious, then God is Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 16: 115)

    But if someone is compelled by necessity, without being deliberate or malicious—your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 6: 145).

    ...God desires ease for you, and does not desire hardship for you… (Quran 2: 185)

    God does not intend to burden you, but He intends to purify you, and to complete His blessing upon you, that you may be thankful…. (Quran 5: 6).

    Based on the above verses the scholars of fiqh derived this precept of Fiqh: "The necessity permits the prohibited to be lawful, and the necessity makes lawful ONLY what is needed". (I don't think my translation is perfect, as my English is very poor. I would appreciate it if anyone wants to help me)

    الضَّرورَةُ تُبيحُ المَحْظورات, والضَّرورات تُقَدَّرُ بِقَدرِها

    To sum up everything,,, doing surgery to change the creation of Allah or to change your looks is not allowed, but doing it in the state of necessity is allowed (like for medical and healthy purposes), but ONLY your need is allowed. You can't go further after achieving safeness of your health.

    So Sister since your intention is good as you mentioned, you are free to proceed with the surgery till you achieve what is good for your health, Insha'Allah.

    May Allah ease things for you, and may He help you through your health issue!!!

    • I found a similar question which has been answered here, it may be of help Insha'Allah

      She wants to have surgery in order to lose excess weight

      Is it permissable to get surgery to aid in losing excess weight? I am 100+ pounds overweight. I have health conditions that are related to my weight problem> My doctor has advised me to consider the surgery as an option to improve my health.

      Praise be to Allaah.

      We have previously explained on our site that some kinds of cosmetic surgery are permissible, namely that which is done to treat a fault, remove a deformity and so on, which comes under the heading of medical treatment. And some kinds are haraam and are not allowed, namely that which is done for the purpose of beautification, because it is changing the creation of Allah.

      It was narrated from Ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: May Allaah curse the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done, the one who plucks eyebrows and the one who has her eyebrows plucked, and those who file teeth for the purpose of beautification, changing the creation of Allaah. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5931) and Muslim (2125).

      Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

      From this it may be understood that the one who is blameworthy is the one who does that for the sake of beauty; if she needs to do that for the purpose of medical treatment, for example, it is permissible. End quote.

      The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked:

      What is the ruling on cosmetic surgery, which is doing surgery by means of which the patient may get rid of a specific deformity, and the doctor may change some of the physical features of the patient. Is this changing the creation of Allah?

      They replied: It is permissible to do the surgery mentioned and it is not regarded as changing the creation of Allah. End quote.

      Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (25/55).

      According to medical reports, excess weight and obesity affect one’s health and put one at risk of disease. We ask Allah to grant well-being to us and you and all the Muslims.

      If it is not possible to treat this excess weight by regular means, such as reducing food intake or following a healthy diet program or beneficial medicines or exercise and the like, then surgical intervention may be the last resort in treating it. If a trustworthy Muslim doctor who is skilled in weight reduction surgery has advised it, then there is nothing wrong with your doing that surgery as has become essential due to your circumstances and need.

      For more information please see the answer to question no. 97651 and 102085.

      And Allah knows best.

      http://www.islam-qa.com/en/152130

  4. Assalaamualaikam

    Firstly, congratulations on your success in losing weight. With regards surgical removal of excess skin, I think it would be best to approach a reputable scholar who can give you an answer based on their knowledge and experience, as surgery can be a controversial issue.

    There can be health issues with having excess skin, but there can also be risks attached to surgery and recovery, which you would need to consider as well. Once you've clarified with a scholar whether such surgery would be in accordance with Islamic teachings, it would be important to seek expert medical advice about surgery - make sure that whoever you see is properly qualified and licensed to perform the surgery in the country you are in, and if you have a GP or family doctor you could ask them to refer you to a specialist that they know to be reputable and qualified.

    May Allah guide you to continue making healthy choices both spiritually and physically.

    Midnightmoon
    IslamicAnswers.com editor

  5. I would commend you for losing weight.

    To my best knowledge and understanding, surgeries (for example- cosmetic surgery) done for the purpose of beautification as it changes creation of Allah, therefore are haram.

    In your case, if it affecting you severely, and if there is no halal way to deal with it, then if a certified Muslim doctor prescribe for it, then only you can go for it. But you need to get it confirmed simultaneously from some authentic islamic scholar.

    Good Luck.

  6. Salaams,

    I know this is long after the post, but I wanted to make a couple of suggestions in shaa Allah in case it helps any further readers.

    1. Don't seek out surgery to remove excess skin after weight loss until you have lost all the weight you want to or can. If you get skin surgery when you still have weight to lose, it will possibly create more excess skin that needs to be removed later. So make sure your body has reached it's goal.

    2. When discussing such matters with a scholar to get a sound decision on whether to go forward with the surgery or not, please be sure to inform the scholar about how the excess skin is affecting your day to day life. For instance, is it chafing, or rubbing in places it wouldn't otherwise, causing discomfort or pain? Is it hindering the normal movements of your limbs or other parts of your body? Is it prone to bacterial buildup or infection because of the way it creases? Things like this may not be aspects an Islamic scholar may be aware of, so explaining why the surgery would benefit you physically may help him understand your situation fully.

    -Amy
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

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