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Tummy Tuck or Exercise More?

I had a pituitary adenoma and gained weight very quickly. I have been exercising-- and am 5'6 at 220. it seems the bulk of everything is on my ab! Is it stupid to get a tuck at this weight-- or should I just continue to hit the gym?

Asked 36 months ago by twist2000 in Dallas, TX
Sort 11 expert answers by:
+2

Tummy tuck vs. weight loss

For a patient who has gained a great deal of weight, unquestionably it is better to get their health back through exercise and good diet, plus good medical management. Abdominal fat is particularly dangerous for diabetes and heart attacks. Even weight loss surgery may be a consideration for patients with morbid obesity. A tummy tuck will have a poor result in a patient who then loses 60-80 pounds. Tummy tucks are notoriously bad at flattening a tummy that has a great deal of fat inside it... more
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Large volume Liposuction an option for localized fat areas

Although it is a very good idea to continue exercising and losing weight, some patients have localized area of fat in the upper abdomen and the flanks that are stuborn. In these patients, an option may be large volume liposuction of the abdomen, followed by a tummy tuck at a later date. I have had patients who with this approached went from size 26 to 14.
S. Sean Younai, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

A pituitary adenoma and rapid weight gain: not the time for a tummy tuck yet

I would strongly advise you to continue your exercise program until you are closer to your ideal body weight. This is in your best interests for your overall health. AT 5'6", a female's ideal body weight is roughly 135lbs plus an allowance of 15%. You may want to seek the advice of a nutritionist.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck is NOT a solution for Obesity

At 5'6 at 220 you are obese and while a Tummy Tuck MAY be done on you the results would not be ideal. The best Tummy Tuck results are obtained in women who have a BMI below 30 and whose weight has been stable for 6 months. You mentioned having a Pituitary Adenoma. If it has not been operated on and if it happens to be Cushing's Disease, you really should postpone your surgery until your metabolic condition has been corrected. Dr. Aldea
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck versus exercise

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. The best candidates are patients who perform regular exercise and are on a balanced low-fat diet. Once you have established your target weight and have remained stable on that weight for 4 to 6 months is then safe to proceed with a tummy tuck. The more weight you lose before your surgery, the better your results will be. To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you,... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck not an answer for weight loss

I think that at your height and weight, you are better off hitting the gym losing some weight and then possible going for a tummy tuck.. A tummy tuck is not the answer for weight loss. It is best for removing excess skin and tightening the abdomen. You will always look better if the weight is off first.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stabilize weight if possible, then look into surgical options

Hello, A tummy tuck works best for loose skin and loosened muscle. You should always try to stabilize your weight before surgery. The question is what is the problem - skin, fat, and/or muscle. Once you have done what you can in the gym looking at surgical options becomes reasonable.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ideal weight is not always ideal or possible

In general we like to see patients near their ideal weight prior to plastic surgery procedures, in particular body contouring procedures. Having said that, there are patients that come to me saying that they have tried everything they could short of weight loss surgery, which they dont want to do, and they are stable at their current weight. In such cases, I feel that it is okay to perform body contouring procedure. The one thing to remember is that body contouring procedures including... more
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction for fat, Tummy Tuck for loose skin and muscles

You might need both if you're not able to achieve your desired appearance through diet and exercise. Of course, it is important for you to work closely with your endocrinologist to make certain that your hormonal issues are well controlled and that your weight has stabilized before any surgical treatments. In order to determine the best treatment for you, provided you are a surgical candidate, you'll need to be assessed by a plastic surgeon who is experienced with body contouring. That... more
Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hit the gym!

You should be down to within 10-20 pounds of yout ideal body weight before taking on any body contouring surgery.  If you do it now, your risk of complications is higher and if you lose weight later, you will have loose skin develop and might need to redo the surgery which would be unfortunate.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lose the weight first before Tummy Tuck

It is very important to lose the weight first before any surgical procedures. As long as your endocrine condition is taken care of,proceed with diet and a good workout. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will set a time line and goals for you. Once you are near your ideal weight, you could be a good candidate for a tummy tuck.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
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