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Should I Get a Tummy Tuck While Still Overweight?

asked 1 year ago by nenbay in CA
Latest answer by James Tang, MD
Question viewed 1,756 times
Tags: age 25-34, female, 170-189 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, overweight

I am 31 and a mother of 3. I am 5'3" and weigh 180lbs.I have been dieting and excercising since April of 2010 in hopes of getting a tummy tuck & breast lift. I have lost 17lbs and now it is becoming harder to lose even one pound.I spend 90 minutes/5 days a week at the gym.I am starting a dental program on Jan.15 - the end of April.I don't want to have to wait until May to do it and don't know if I can lose much more weight by then.I want to do it now before my class starts. Should I just do it??

15 answers to Should I Get a Tummy Tuck While Still Overweight?

Achieve a stable weight prior to tummy tuck

I am concerned that you have this much apparent weight but are not able to lose any more through conventional methods. I would advise you to seek a medically supervised weight loss program. Your are still an estimated 40-60 pounds above your ideal body weight. Do this prior to having a tummy tuck

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Tummy Tuck and Weight Loss

A Tummy tuck is most effective when the problem is more one of excess skin and muscle laxity then of excess fatty tissue. As noted , it is best to be as close to your ideal body weight as possible. Being overweight may also contribute to other risk factors for surgery in general as well. Discuss your particular situation carefully with your surgeon regarding timing of surgery. Good Luck.

Stephen Delia, M.D.
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Before Ideal Weight Loss

While it is ideal to get within 10 pounds of your target weight before a tummy tuck, many women opt to have their surgery sooner, because of timing contingencies or hitting a plateau oin their weight loss efforts. As always in plastic surgery, there are trade-offs for you to consider in your consultation with your surgeon.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Safer & Results Better If Not Overweight

Although you could have your tummy tuck performed now, your results will be better if your are nearing your ideal weight at the time of sugery. In addition, the likihood of having a complication would also be lessened if you are not significantly overweight at the time of surgery.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Now or Later

Kind of a tough question because it very reasonable to continue to lose weight. I use BMI as a guide to who may be appropriate for body contouring surgery. Usually a BMI around 30 or so it my cut off. Your BMI is 31.9. Secondly, you are cutting it pretty close with a planned procedure of this nature in regards to recovery before embarking on your dental training. With all this in mind the best answer would be to do it May at your summer break. Discuss this... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Timing your tummy tuck

While the best results are obtained when tummy tucks are done near or at your ideal weight, we are interested in having you continue your quest for the ideal body and health through lifestyle redirection. If lifestyle changes are not enough, then the motivational boost from surgical reshaping can be useful. Surgery is really a last resort to correct difficult lifestyle consequences, but can be used in this way to keep your momentum on track. Don't be... more

Randy Wong, MD
Honolulu Plastic Surgeon

Loose as much weight as you can!

In general it is better to be "too light", have your tummy tuck and gain a little weight. Your result will still be fine! However if you do your procedure before reaching your realistic weight, there is a good chance that you will be very happy with your result! As a result you will exercise more, and loose more weight, unfortunately then you risk to be less happy with your operation as it seems as if more could have been taken off. So: Know yourself, set a realistic... more

Ivar van Heijningen, MD
Belgium Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Tummy Tuck with Weight Loss

Congratulations on your weight loss. You almost certainly would be a candidate for a tummy-tuck combined with liposuction. If you have a great deal of loose skin, you may require an extended tummy-tuck. For optimal results you should be within 10 to 15 pounds of your final weight. This approach would minimize the possibility of recurrent skin laxity with further weight loss after your procedure. I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon... more

Andrew Lyos, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck in overweight people

Depends what is your end goal. To be the best you can be or get less than ideal but acceptable outcome. If you want the best results, you need to be at your ideal weight 140-150 lbs. The key is to keep the weight down, not just get thewre. you are doing enough exercise and now you need to address your nutrtional status. If you can't wait and consider surgery, you will need a lot of liposuction of the back, hips and thighs in conjunction with the abdominoplasty. I often... more

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Consider BMI to determine if weight loss is needed before a tummy tuck

Without examining you, it's tough to figure out if you "need" to lose weight before a tummy tuck. A good general indicator for weight and height is BMI- body mass index. There are several websites on the internet that calculate your height to weight ratio to generate a number, which is your BMI. In general, to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck, your BMI should be overweight but not obese. BMI is not perfect. If you have alot of... more

Roy Kim, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Overweight, wanting Tummy Tuck

Yes, you should lose the extra weight before an abdominoplasty. Your BMI is 31.1. Your weight needs to be no more than 141 lb. Your problem is not the exercise, for which you should be commended. It is your diet. People on the wrong diet can exercise as much as they can, and never lose weight until they get on a proper diet. Think about it. If you are 20 lb. overweight (and you are about double that), it is like carrying a 20 lb. Bar-B-Q grill tank around all the time. That is a lot of... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

You can get tummy tuck and liposuction at the same time now

You have a lot of extra skin and only tummy tuck will help. You also have extra fatty tissue over the upper abdomen and waist and liposuction in combination of the tummy tuck will help.The combination will help you to achieve the look and also as you lose weight, you will lose from other parts than the abdomen area.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Should I Get a Tummy Tuck While Still Overweight?

Thanks for the photo! Tough question. You can obtain better results if you lost more weight (like 20 pounds more) But if you can not than find a boarded PS to advise and operate on you. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

You are ready for your tummy tuck

From the appearance of your abdomen, I think you are ready and would benefit highly from a tummy tuck. That said, if you are able to lose more weight before your tummy tuck, you will undoubtedly get an even better result. So, if you can go ahead and lose more weight. However, if you cannot wait, then go ahead with the surgery now. see video