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Am I Ready for a Tummy Tuck? I've Lost The Recommended Weight.

asked 7 months ago by simplyme66 in Hicksville, NY
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 201 times
Tags: weight loss, candidate

I am 46, 5'7", I consulted with a board-certified plastic surgeon who suggested I lose between 20-30 lbs before considering abdominoplasty. I started at approx 238lbs, have lost approx 20lbs with the help of a board certified nutritionist. I exercise daily and have significantly improved my eating habits. I am now eating properly and feel 100% better. However, I now have more loose skin than when I started this regimen. Am I ready to have a tummy tuck at this time?

14 answers to Am I Ready for a Tummy Tuck? I've Lost The Recommended Weight.

Tummy Tuck - Am I Ready for a Tummy Tuck? I've Lost The Recommended Weight.

"Ready" incorporates lots of factors - your weight is only one of them. In order to be ready for this (or any other) surgery, you need to be in generally good health, have a medical clearance if appropriate, be off certain medications (such as ibuprofen) but be on others (that are prescribed), etc. Another consideration is what your weight is - both the ideal weight, your current weight, and the trend For someone who is 238 pounds at 5' 7", I would think you... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Timing of TT and weight loss

You have conquered the hardest part of all; changing your eating and exercise habits. At your current weight you have a BMI of 34 which is still considerably overweight. My feeling is that the stability of your weight is more important than the weight itself. If you plan to continue your current lefestyle you wil lose more weight. Your surgical risks will be less and you will look better after surgery. I would encourage you to wait until your weight plateaus to... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Am I ready for a TT yet?

Good start with those 20 lbs. What is your goal? Just to get rid of the excess skin? Then you're ready. If you want to look thin, then you might not be quite there. Best wishes

Craig Harrison, MD
Tyler Plastic Surgeon

Ready for tummy tuck?

Go back to your surgeon. it sounds like he/she is steering you in the right direction. If you are still seeing results with your diet and exercise it couldn't hurt to continue until you plateau.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Abdominoplasty at near ideal weight is best

Congratulations. You are doing great. Do you want to lose a little more weight? If so, and since you are being so successful, I would recommend having the surgery when you have reached or are near your goal weight. This will give you the best result; if you have surgery now and lose another 20 pounds afterwards, you may have skin laxity of the abdomen again. In addition, if you have surgery when you are still a little overweight, your risks of surgery are... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ready for a tummy tck

Firstly, congratulations on your weight loss! having sad that, although certainly a better result from a tummy tuck is now possible than prior to the weight loss, for you height, ideally you could lose a little more. Yes that will make you skin sag more, but the closer you can get to the weight you want to maintain long term, the better it would be before performing the tummy tuck. If you do the tummy tuck now and then continue to lose weight afterwords, the muscles will not be as tight as... more

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

At what weight should i have a tummy tuck

I think you should decide on a goal with your nutritionist and personal trainer. What is your goal? You want to lose al the weight you can before the procedure, not afterwards. that way you do not end up with additional laxity after the procedure.

Rick Rosen, MD
Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck after weight loss

Congratulations on losing weight! The right time for a tummy tuck is when your weight is stable. If you're still losing weight, now is the time to do your homework and find a plastic surgeon with whom you're comfortable. Plan on having surgery about six months after your weight loss is complete. If you continue to lose weight, the skin will stretch more so it's important not to operate prematurely. Best of luck toward achieving your goals!

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

It is fine to have a tummy tuck even if you are somewhat overweight.

Hi. 1) My thinking on this is a little different. If you ask most women to get down to a certain weight in order to have surgery, they may do it, but typically the weight then drifts back up after the tummy tuck. It is better if your weight is stable, even if high. 2) Being overweight and having a bulging stomach are two different issues. After the tummy tuck, you will still be somewhat overweight, but you will have a flat abdomen and you will like your... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ready for a Tummy Tuck

If you have reached a steady state for your weight then you may be ready for a tummy tuck. However, there are many factors such as your general health, your anatomy, etc. So, without any pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice on surgery. Congratulations on the weight loss. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

You are getting there

Atmyour height and weight you are still a bit heavy. I wouldmgo back to the plastic surgeon for an interim check andnlet him tell you how you are doing.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and abdominoplasty

At 5'7" and 218 pounds there would be more improvement with more weight loss. In general I think it is optimal if you can be at your final weight prior to surgery.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ready for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your weight loss. There is no magic weight to reach prior to proceeding with the tummy tuck surgery. Ideally you will be at a “stable weight” at which point you do not expect significant fluctuation of weight after surgery. Significant further weight loss after surgery may lead to physical changes that will necessitate additional surgery to correct. At some point you will be... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Am I ready for tummy tuck?

Wow, congratulations! Whether you are "ready" for tummy tuck or not depends on so many factors. You have demonstrated the ability to successfully modify your lifestyle to lose weight. This is of major importance not just in your abdominal appearance, but your overall health, mobility, and quality of life. After tummy tuck, you will not be able to exercise for some time. My recommendation, of course rendered without taking a full history or performing... more