Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Should I Wait to Lose 10lbs Before Having Tummy Tuck?

I am scheduled to have a Tummy Tuck in about one month. I still have roughly 10 lbs to lose (5'7", 150 lbs). Should I reschedule surgery to a later date or is losing that amount of weight after surgery not going to make that big of a difference? I don't want to risk messing up the procedure.

Also, is muscle tightening part of every Tummy Tuck procedure? I'm confused because from what I've read, it seems that sometimes it is done, and sometimes it is not.

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abdomen female 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in weight loss 150-169 lbs muscle tightening weight

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by kikismom in Orlando

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (1)

Waiting to lose 10 lbs before tummy tuck

Hi there- If it's only 10 pounds, there is not reason to think it will make a significant difference to your outcome, recovery, or experience. With regard to muscle tightening, this is an important part of a tummy tuck for patients whose muscle layers have been stretched apart by pregnancy, weight gain and loss, or a congenital defect. There are many variations on the traditional tummy tuck procedure, and only your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon would be able to tell you exactly what is... more

A sustainable healthy weight before tummy tuck surgery is important!

Sounds like you are a good candidate for your procedure. My recommendations is to be very near your goal weight for a few months prior to surgery. This usually means within 10 pounds for most patients. Accomplishing this and sustaining your healthy weight before surgery should improve your ability to maintain a healthy weight after surgery. With only one month to go I would focus on healthy nutrition and regular exercise to optimize your recovery. Losing weight in an unhealthy manner before... more

Ideal weight for Tummy Tuck

In a perfect world, it is best to be at your ideal weight for any cosmetic abdominal surgery. However, in my experience, 10 pounds is not going to make a huge difference in your result. If your abdominal skin has little fat under it and can be moved easily, a 10 pound weight loss will not make a huge difference. I think it is more important not to gain weight AFTER your surgery! see video

If your doctor plan to do liposuction at the same time,no need to wait for the weight loss

The problem with trying to lose weight before surgery is the possibility of the gaing the weight back after suergery. If you plan to have lipo and tummy tuck at the same time,no need to wait.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss prior to tummy tuck

I advise my patients that weight loss up to 20 lbs after tummy tuck will not have a significant effect on the results. It will still look as good. The tummy tuck will also remove a little weight as well so you will be real close to your goal weight even after the tummy tuck without loosing any more weight. Because you are so close I would not recommend postponing the surgery that is already scheduled. As for muscle tightening, this is part of the tummy tuck procedure in almost all... more

10 pound weight loss before Tummy Tuck

Although it is always preferable to be at or near your ideal body weight when undergoing a tummy tuck, a 10 pound weight loss is probably not going to make a significant difference in the result you achieve. Muscle tightening is almost always a part of my tummy tucks, but I do occasionally see patients who do not require this part of the procedure.

Ideal weight before surgery

While the ideal situation is to reach your target weight prior to the surgery, losing 10 pounds after surgery should not alter the results. If you lose significantly more, than you may require a revision. Muscle tightening is a frequent part of the surgery but is not always required. see video

Losing weight prior to surgery

The ideal situation is for you to lose all of the weight and be stable in regards to weight prior to surgery - that will give you the best result. If you have the surgery and then lose 20 more pounds, you may need to have another surgery because there may be additional loose skin to be removed....10 pounds may not make a big difference. Most patients want the muscle repair (they want the tight abdominal area after surgery) and are sometimes surprised that their surgeon didn't do... more

Lose 10 lbs before having Tummy Tuck

This is a choice you have to make. Can you realistic lose the 10 pounds with in 2 months. BE HONEST. If yes, then of course do IT!!! But if you are fooling yourself to avoid the surgery using the 10 lbs as an excuse than get the operation. You will be so happy.

Putting off a Tummy Tuck to Lose 10 pounds

Obviously, as Plastic surgeons we would love it if all our patients were at ideal weight. Realistically speaking, while this MAY be true in certain American zip codes, that is far from the average case in most Plastic surgeons' offices. Personally, if you think you can realistically lose 10 pounds AND keep it off - by all means do it. However, the vast majority of people cannot do it. On the other hand, they DO get a major psychological boost from their new tighter figures and have an... more

Weight loss and surgery

Ideally, you should be at the weight you plan to maintain at the time of your surgery. I say ideally because this may not be the practical reality of your situation. We all tend to fluctuate within a 5 lb range and I do not feel 10 lbs is enough weight to cause a significant loss of cosmetic benefit. 20 lbs is a different story. You still have 4 weeks to modify your diet and exercise. You must maintain appropriate nutrition during this time so that you heal well after the surgery. I... more

Weight loss and tummy tuck

I would suggest waiting until you have lost the weight. Your results will be better. Muscle tightening is performed to address rectus diastasis, which is separation of the rectus muscles (six-pack muscles). This usually occurs after pregnancy, particularly after the second child. I have yet to see a tummy tuck patient who did not need this during surgery. Good luck, /nsn.

Try to achieve an optimal weight prior to tummy tuck surgery

If you think that additional weight loss is possible prior to your tummy tuck procedure, then go for it! As long as you are losing weight via healthy diet and consistent exercise, your condition and wound healing ability will be improved prior to surgery. During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will assess the degree of laxity that you have along your abdominal wall. If there is laxity (its usually evident on pre-op examination) then this laxity will be repaired using special suturing techniques... more

Tummy tuck and weight loss

Usually a 10 lb. weight loss will not affect the result of a tummy tuck. If your muscles are separated from pregnancy, a muscle tightening is usually performed. However if they have not splayed out, they may not require tightening.

Muscle repair and body weight with tummy tuck surgery

Generally muscle tightening is performed when the muscles are separated by pregnancy or the consequence of congenital development and is called a rectus abdominis diastasis. It can be present in males as well. It is typically repaired when present and usually only after completion of child birth. Although it is preferred that you be at your stable body weight prior to surgery, losing 10 pounds should not dramatically effect the outcome of the surgery. more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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Comments (1)

Gregory Sexton, MD 29 Oct 2012

I do not think 10 pounds will make a bit of difference, so I would recommend not changing the date. I always tighten the muscle, unless the patient is thin, and never had children, but I always discuss this with the patient. Talk to your surgeon about it.

View answers from Gregory Sexton, MD

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