Should I Loose Weight Before Tummy Tuck?

In 6 months, I'm having a Tummy Tuck. Is it adviceable to loose extra weight now? However, I can only loose about 5kg. because after that, my weight wont budge.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by puzz in nsw

Doctor Answers (9)
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Don't lose weight before tummy tuck.

Hi! The weight you are now is probably close to your long term weight. In New York City, we prefer to shape the body as much as possible with an abdominoplasty in relation to this "normal" weight, not in relation to some "ideal" skinny weight that you will not really maintain. And 5 kilos (10 pounds) is not much anyway. So go ahead!

Weight loss and Tummy Tuck

If you are planning to lose weight, it's best to do so before your cosmetic plastic surgery. Weight loss can often cause the skin to sag or become more lax, and this can adversely affect your outcome if it happens after your procedure. If you have already lost the excess weight , you will get the most out of your skin tightening surgery. This applies not only to tummy-tucks (abdominoplasty), but also to breast lifts and face lifts as well. Also keep in mind that anesthesia is safer and... more

It is good to lose weight before tummy tuck

Cosmetic surgery is about looking and feeling your best and getting the best result from your investment in you. Weight loss and fitness are certainly part of the equation. If you plan on a loss of 5 kg by all means set the goal and lose the weight before your procedure. The reduction very well may improve the contour in your abdomen and improve the potential result of your tummy tuck. If you need to lose more and plateau after 5 kg you might want to seek help. There are many organisations... more

Baseline weight

As Dr. Yuan has noted, the stable "realistic" weight of the patient is more important than an elusive "ideal weight" that simply isn't realistic and sustainable. In my experience, only lifestyle changes that are sustainable make a long term difference in the patient's weight and health. Taking up jogging, giving up desserts, giving up snacks, etc. Also, after surgery patients must put in at least as much effort as they did before their surgery, or they will diminish or... more

Stable weight is more important than actual weight

Ideally, you would want to have a stable weight and lifestyle going into surgery. If your weight varies too much before or after surgery, your surgeon may not be as accurate in determining what to do and your result may not be as predictable or long-lasting. Five kg. may not be significant if you are 70 kgs. but may be if you are only 45kg. On the other hand, if you are overweight and unfit, you may not be an ideal candidate for liposuction at all. I assume you have reviewed all this with... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Try to get to your ideal body weight before your tummy tuck!

A tummy tuck is a big procedure that tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin, while reshaping your waist and abdomen. If you gain or loose weight after the procedure, you will be altering the results. (If you loose a significant amount of weight, your skin will look lax, and if you gain a lot, you will be stretching it out.) Ideally, reach your goal, stable & maintainable weight before doing any body contouring. In the real world, sometimes you can't loose weight to... more

Absolutely, loose the weight.

The answer is relative. Are you overweight only by about the 5 kg., or are you significantly over a BMI of 25? If the former, you need to lose the 5 kg and learn how to maintain it. If the latter, you have just not learned how to modify your weight and need professional help doing so. There is no one who can not lose to an ideal body weight with the proper advice (and, occasionally, a little bariatric surgical help). If you are only 5 kg overweight, then you should have no problem with your... more

You are not giving us enough information to tell you.

It all depends on what you weigh and what your BMI is. This is a question to ask your doctor. If you are fat - loose weight, if you are skinny you do not need to loose weight.

Losing weight before Tummy Tuck does make a difference

Puzz, My advice is to be at a "stable" weight before any body contouring surgery. As long as you don't lose or gain more than 10-20 lbs (4.5-9.0 kg) after your surgery, you should be okay. In my experience, strengthening your abdominal muscles and core prior to surgery will hasten your recovery as well. If you lose weight afterwards, you might end up with excessive skin that would've been removed during the tummy tuck. Of course, gaining weight after the surgery could affect your... more