Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,299 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,723 people and 861 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Do I Need to Lose More Weight Before I Consider a Tummy Tuck?

asked 10 months ago by dwambach in Scottsdale, AZ
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,307 times
Tags: stretch marks, weight loss, candidate, loose skin

I am 21 years old and two years ago I weighed 260 pounds and I am 5'7" and I now currently weigh 180 pounds. The skin on my stomach is very loose and I have old stretch marks that I want removed. Am I a good candidate for this now or do I need to lose more weight?

11 answers to Do I Need to Lose More Weight Before I Consider a Tummy Tuck?

Be at a stable weight before having a tummy tuck

Once you have achieved your goal weight ( or close to it) then you can consider having a tummy tuck. In your particular case however, if you have already lost 80 pounds, you may need a body lift to remove skin from your entire abdomen, flanks, outer thighs and buttocks. A board certified plastic surgeon can evaluate you and determine which body contouring procedure is best for you. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

Best to lose weight before TT

I also congratulate you on losing the weight. At your current weight at 5'7" you have a BMI of 28.2, which puts you in the overwieght category, but not too bad. The first question is, do you WANT to lose more weight?? If you do, it is better to do so before the tummy tuck. Patients have to be realistic. If you get down to say 160 pounds, yes you will look that much better, but is this a realistic goal for you? If you lose the weight, can you... more

Paul W. Loewenstein, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

The appropriate timing for a tummy tuck as related to weight.

You have lost a substantial amount of weight resulting in laxity of your abdominal skin and probably underlying muscles as well. Clearly, as confirmed by your photos, a tightening procedure would be beneficial for you, whether this involves just your abdomen or even a circumferential one (belt lipectomy or lower body lift). Are you planning to lose more weight/do you want to be at a lower weight? If so, you would be best served by losing most of this additional weight first prior to... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Losing weight and tummy tuck

In general, I tell my patients if you are within 10-15% of the weight you desire, a tummy tuck is reasonable. However, if your goal is to be less than 160 lbs. (greater than 10--15% of where you are now), you should wait until you lose the weight. Your result may be more loose if you lose the extra weight from 180 lbs. to less than 160 lbs. after the surgery. You should also understand that only the stretch marks from your navel to you pubic hair line will be removed.... more

Ricardo Izquierdo, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss

Congratulations on your weight loss! Although you (like everyone) will have a better result if you are at or near your ideal weight at the time of your tummy tuck, it looks as if you could have a good result at this time if you also have some aggressive liposuction of your flanks concurrently. In your anterior photo, your abdomen looks flat except for the redundent skin and fat in your lower abdomen. On the lateral photo, however, the excess fat in your flanks is more apparent. more

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Do I Need to Lose More Weight Before I Consider a Tummy Tuck?

Dear dwambach, Congratulations on your weight loss! The best time to perform a tummy tuck or other body contouring procedure is when your weight is stable and you are close to your goal weight. You are a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck at your current weight. Warmest wishes, Larry Fan, MD

Larry Fan, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Awesome weight loss

With great weight loss comes awesome surgical results. you should only lose more weight if your target weight dictates it. otherwise, you are good to go. good luck

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Does a 5'7'' 180 pound patient qualify for a tummy tuck?

First of all congratulations on losing 80 pounds; that is a real feat! On examining your photos it appears that you can now be a candidate for a tummy tuck unless you want to lose more weight. If you do, then you should first lose the additional weight and then undergo the tummy tuck. Otherwise if you have the tt now and you then lose more weight you may have recurrent excess skin with sagging.

George Lefkovits, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Congratulations on your significant weight loss; I think you already ( or at least very close to being ready) for tummy tuck surgery. I would suggest you also look into extended tummy tuck surgery if the areas of flank/"muffin tops" are of concern. Best wishes. see video

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Weight loss before Abdominoplasty

First, congratulations on your weight loss. A couple of thoughts. Most plastic surgeons would prefer you being stable at your goal before operating. Most plastic surgeons would at least have you withing striking distance of your goal weight before operating. (this is usually within about 30 lbs, depending on the patient). Best to get into the best shape you can, this will help the recovery and result as well. Good idea to see a couple of board certified... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.jjrothmd.com

Weight loss before tummy tuck

Hello, Great job on the weight loss! Losing weight makes the operation more "do-able." Lose the weight you feel you can keep off and then get yourself evaluated for surgery by the best doctor you can find. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD