Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Should I Lose More Weight Before Going for Tummy Tuck?

I am 25 and considering a Tummy Tuck with some Liposuction around the edges (muffin top, below breasts, waist, hips and thighs).

I obviously want the scar as far down as possible. I have had one child almost two years ago but don't want any more. I have battled with depression and have not been able to shift all the weight that I gained, although I have lost more than half so far. Should I be losing more weight before I go under the knife?

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age 25-34 hips thighs waist muffin top weight loss ideal weight

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by NEM in E.London

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Lose the weight first before having a tummy tuck

It is always best to lose the majority of your excess weight prior to having any type of body contouring surgery. The more weight you lose, the more skin your surgeon can get rid of, the better your results and the better you will feel about yourself. With a tummy tuck, the more weight you get off, the lower your scar tends to be. Patients who try to have surgery first to 'kick-start' themselves to lose weight, generally never get down to their ideal weight. Use your... more

Weight loss before tummy tuck

It is in your best interest to be as close to a "long term weight" as possible prior to surgery. This will give you the best chances for a good surgical outcome and minimize chances that revisionary surgery will be needed in the future. In regards to the "muffin top" you mentioned, you should be aware that often liposuction alone is not sufficient. Sometimes an extended abdominoplasty (excision of excess skin and adipose tissue of the flank and/or back)... more

Weightloss prior to surgery

It is important to be within a few pounds of your ideal weight prior to surgery. This weight should be maintained for several months before having a cosmetic procedure. I would suggest consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Upon examination, your surgeon would be able to recommend the treatment options which would best address your concerns. Best of luck!

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Yes you should.

It is always better to loose as much weight as possible before having liposuction. You will also want to tighten the muscle as much as you can. You may even be able to do all that without surgery!

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Weight loss before tummy tuck

You should almost always try to be at the weight you are planning for prior to a tummy tuck. You can expect some weight loss with the procedure but not a substantial amount. When you have the tummy tuck at a stable weight you will be most likely to have a good long term stable result.

If you have a tummy tuck or liposuction or both, you should be at your desired weight first

It is hard to tell how loose your skin is from your photo. If when you sit down and the skin rolls up in folds, you will be best served by having liposuction and a tummy tuck combined. As to the correct weight for the surgery, it is up to you. If you feel this is the best you can do then go for it now, if you can loose the extra pounds before surgery it would be best. You would get a better and safer result. If you loose too much weight after the surgery you certainly would have wished... more

Tummy tuck may be overkill

Liposuction alone may be all you need since the skin tightens up a fair amount with liposuction. It is good you have lost some weight already but loosing more weight won't change the outcome of the liposuction so get it done now and forget the tummy tuck. Cost is roughly $5000-6000 for the abdomen and hips.

David Hansen, MD

19 reviews

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Lipo and tummy tuck

Dear NEM Although I don't have a clear picture of your abdomen, from what I can tell you have fat around the abdomen and hips at the very least. You don't appear to have much in the way of stretch marks and I can't tell the condition of your abdominal wall. I would consider a two stage operation doing the liposuction of those areas and see what you get. You still may need a tummy tuck but I think the results will be much better. You will have a greatly shortened down time from lipo alone... more

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