Weight Loss Before Tummy Tuck

 Hi!   I find myself repeating this point over and over.  You can be overweight and get a great result with a tummy tuck.  You will still be overweight afterwards, but you will have a flat stomach.  And a flat stomach can really motivate you to lose weight!

Thank you for the question. I think it would be in your best interest to drop weight (to where you want to be long term) prior to surgery. This will allow you to achieve the best result possible. It will also minimize the chances that you will need further surgery (for example if you were to lose weight after the procedure further surgery may be necessary). You should be aware however that often an “extended” tummy tuck is necessary to treat the muffin top area. This... more

It all depends on if you are happy at the weight you are. If you tell me that you want to lose 20 lbs then I would say you should wait lose your weight and then have your tummy tuck. But if you are content and happy at the weight you are then it is not an issue. It is only an issue if a patient is trying to lose a significant amount of weight and they get their tummy tuck done before they lose all the weight they were planning to. Hope that helps.

You are technically overweight but at a reasonable weight for a tummy tuck. In my experience, a more important factor is if you are at a STABLE weight. IF you plan on either losing or gaining weight after the surgery, then I would reconsider.

There are several varieties of tummy tucks, ranging from liposuction with a mini-tuck to a full, traditional abdominoplasty. It's difficult to tell what's the best for you without seeing photos. Talk with your plastic surgeon about the best version that fits your needs. Also, stretch marks below your belly button will most likely be removed, but the ones above it will most likely stay. Check out some before and after photos before visiting your plastic surgeon to get an idea of what... more

No. It is not obligatory that one lose weight before an abdominoplasty IF you are not overweight. In my opinion, demanding indiscriminate draconian weight loss from all patients only shifts baseless guilt and stress to the patient without a corresponding increase in better results nor surgical safety. At 5'3" and 130 pounds ,you have a BMI of 23. At a BMI of 23, it sounds like you are an IDEAL candidate (everything else checking out) for an abdominoplasty procedure and I would NOT ask... more

If you have a weight goal that you plan to reach there is no reason to put off the plans until after tummy tuck, and it is hard to imagine a surgeon who would discourage you in your effort. It is important however that you set a goal that is realistic, and set a time table long enough for success. There are several reasons for reaching your weight goals beside the personal satisfaction of the achievement. Skin laxity may become more apparent after the weight loss making your tummy tuck more... more

It is better to think of fitness rather than absolute weight loss since everyone's physiology and ability to lose weight is different. Some women 5'3" will weigh 90 lbs.and some will weight 150. If you are at your fittest, looking at activity level, ecercise and sport routines, and diet then you and your surgeon can assess what can be done to achieve your goals. You should be stable at this time and be abl to maintain this level of fitness. It does less good fr you to lose weight... more

Hi there. It's always to your advantage to lose weight before body contouring procedures. In general, the more weight you are able to lose, the better the outcome. Obviously I haven't examined you, but at your height and weight, it seems as though you would be a good candidate for tummy tuck. I suggest finding a board-certified plastic surgeon you like and going in for a consultation. My tummy tuck patients are amongst the happiest cosmetic surgery patients. Good luck! Dr. Singer... more

It does not sound as if you are that far from your ideal body weight.  I think you should be able to proceed with a TT without significant weight loss.  You are correct, however, in assuming that patients undergoing TTs will obtain a better result if they are close to ideal bodt weight.