4'9", 145lb. Should I Have Surgery Now or Lose More Weight?

asked 1 year ago by reelme in Kinston, NC
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 361 times
Tags: age 45-54, female, 130-149 lbs, 4 ft 11 in and under, weight loss, timing

I Have Lost 35 (31.4%) Pounds Which I Have Maintained for over 18 Months. I Am 4’9” and Currently weigh 145 after loosing 35 #. My personal goal is to weigh below 130.I am considering a tummy tuck or a panniculectomy. I exercise regularly. Should I have the surgery now or off until I loose more weight? I am fifty years old. I do not desire to look like a model, just simply look pleasant and feel good about myself.

10 answers to 4'9", 145lb. Should I Have Surgery Now or Lose More Weight?

Always lose the weight before cosmetic surgery

The only good plan is to lose the weight before the surgery is done to get the best result and the one that will last the longest. If you lose a lot of weight after body contouring surgery the result may losen up again. The only exception to this would be if the pannus was so much in the way that it caused too much trouble even now. But that is rare.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck preparation

Congratulations, I think you're very close to being ready for the procedure from the weight loss point of view. I do however have a word of advice for you. Patients who are about to undergo tummy tuck surgery spend a lot of time thinking about the physical preparation for the procedure (for example weight loss issues) but do not spend a lot of time thinking about the emotional aspects. It is not uncommon for patients who undergo the procedure to experience severe “mood... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Abdominoplasty before or after weight loss is fine- the result should be good either way!

The result of the abdominoplasty is not negatively affected by having extra weight and will only improve with ongoing weight loss. You do not need to achieve your ideal weight prior to surgery. The surgery itself has a remarkable result and will improve your self esteem, allow you to see the benefits of your exercise and is often helpful for exercise because you are carrying less tissue and exercise is easier. If you look at our pre and post op photos on our web site you can see... more

Kimberley O'Sullivan, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Lose weight first; then have full tummy tuck, NOT panniculectomy!

Getting to your optimal healthy weight so that your results can be the best possible is always good advice, as you see from all the answers here. I would advise, however, NOT going on some fad diet that cannot be maintained long-term, just in order to hit a certain "target" weight! Healing does not occur as well in someone who is catabolic from a severe diet. Secondly, panniculectomy is a seductive choice because it is "covered" by insurance whereas a tummy tuck is... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Pre-Surgery Weight Loss

Reach your optimal weight that you are able to maintain long term, then have your procedure, the extent of which will depend on your anatomical findings and expectations.

Stephan Baker, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Lose your weight before tummy tuck

Just 15 more pounds and you will hit your goal so just go for it. The tummy tuck result can be even better, and a nice reward if you lose the weight first. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

4'9", 145lb. Should I Have Surgery Now or Lose More Weight?

For best results lose the weight. It helps in simplifying the operation, faster recovery, better appearance. From MIAMI

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Before

Get your weight down at least another 15 lbs before surgery. You will end up with a much better result.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

WEIGHT LOSS

Currently your body mass index (BMI) is 31. I would recommend a BMI of 26. This means you need to lose at least 20 more pounds to help you achieve the best results. Keep up the good work. You can do it.

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

Should I lose weight now or after surgery?

There is a very clear answer to this question: BEFORE SURGERY! There are many reasons to lose weight prior to surgery. Here are just a few: (1) You may lose enough weight that the surgery you require is a different more simple operation, or even no surgery all together! (2) If you lose all the weight you can possibly lose prior to surgery the chances of needing a revision down the line goes down significantly. (3) A thinner patient... more