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Is a Tummy Tuck Realisitc for Me at This Time..

asked 11 months ago by lovemylife87 in Okinawa Japan
Latest answer by Eric Swanson MD
Question viewed 1,404 times
Tags: age 18-24, female, weight loss, candidate, preparation

I am 24 yrs old and 5ft6. I have 2 children and am not having anymore. I currently weight 218lbs and carry it in my lower abdomen. I also have super high hips. This weight is very normal for me because for the past 8 years it has ranged from 195-220lbs.My ideal weight would be 180-185 lbs. My question is if I got down to 200lbs even would I be able to get a tummy tuck. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

32 answers to Is a Tummy Tuck Realisitc for Me at This Time..

+2

Weight loss before a tummy tuck

Plastic surgeons generally prefer their patients to be at a healthy weight prior to their surgery. This reduces the risks of surgery and improves the results. Your weight is considerably higher than it should be. Much of your fat is the especially unhealthy type, namely abdominal and intraabdominal fat. You are best off losing a considerable amount of weight by diet and exercise before having a tummy tuck.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+2

Weight loss before a tummy tuck

You should get closer to your goal weight before having a tummy tuck. You will have a better cosmetic outcome at a lighter weight with less risk of complications. Based on your photos, you could have a tummy tuck even if your weight plateaus at 200 based on your degree of loose skin. I would consult with a board certified plastic surgeon once you are close to your goal weight. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

+4

Time for tummy tuck

It seems like you are ready for the procedure and should go ahead. If you know realistically that you can and will lose 20 pounds without difficulty you should try. However if you are stuck at your weight as it is, I still feel you can go ahead as you will probably lose weight with the procedure and post operatively. Also you will feel better about the way you look and will be more motivated to do more. Good luck.
David Nicholas Csikai, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+4

Tummy tuck

I agree with the comments bellow. You seem to have realistic expectations and well educated about the topic. Once you reach your ideal weight, although it sounds like you're almost there, go for it!
Kambiz Jacob Cohen-Kashi, MD

Long Island Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ideal weight and tummy tuck

Actually you would get a significant improvement if you had it now. However, it would be possible to remove more of your stretch marks if you lost weight first. This is a perennial question in body contouring surgery. The weight loss would have to be greater than 20 pounds for it to make much difference.
J. Brian Boyd, MD

Torrance Plastic Surgeon
+3

Is a Tummy Tuck Realisitc for Me at This Time..

To follow most of the experts, it is best to achieve a "realistic" weight. But from your so kindly posted photos you do not appear to be 218 lbs. I personally would have no issue at 200 lbs. but as long as we both have an informed consent.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+3

Overweight patients do fine with tummy tuck.

Hi. 1) On this one topic, my opinion is different from that of most of my colleagues. Being overweight and having a hanging belly are two separate issues. You state that this is your stable weight. Going by your pictures, I think you can have a tummy tuck with liposuction of the love handles anytime 2) We do tummy tucks on overweight patients using blood thinners to prevent complications. 3) Having a flat stomach sometimes motivates women to... more
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+3

Tummy tuck candidate

I strongly recommend that you wait until you can get your BMI to 30 or less which would be around 180-185lbs. Your results will be dramatically better and you will substantially decrease your risk for complications such as skin loss/necrosis, blood clots to the legs and/or lungs, etc. Some studies cite a 12 fold increase in complications in patients who are obese (BMI >30). I know it isn't easy to do but for your overall health it is important, tummy tuck or not... more
Tiffany McCormack, MD

Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

+3

Weight loss, then tummy tuck

Certainly you can benefit from tummy tuck now, however to get the best result you should be close to your ideal body weight, perhaps 150 pounds. Try to pick a goal you can achieve and stick with it as I am sure you can do better than 200 pounds. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3

Look at your BMI

We surgeons love to operate; however, you need to look at your BMI not what you think is a good weight for you. Your BMI is over 35 which puts you in the obese category. To get a really good result with a tummy tuck your BMI should be closer to 30 or below which would be around 180 pounds. So it all depends, you could have a tummy tuck now, but if you loose some weight, you would have a much better result.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

I am 5'6'' 24 years old and 218 lbs. Can I get a tummy yuck?

Ideally it is better to get to your ideal weight but if you can't do that as long as you reduce your weight to 200 lbs, you could benefit from a lipo abdominoplasty and liposuction of your hips and flanks. Obviously you have to accept a slightly higher risk than an abdominoplasty alone. But the results could be good if done by an expert.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+2

Always be near your ideal weight before plastic surgery

I completely agree with the other doctors that you should be able to get a nice improvement from a full TT. It will be best if you can get down to near your ideal weight preop.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Reaching Ideal weight prior to tummy tuck

Based on the information and photos you provided, you appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure. In order to achieve the best results possible and prevent additional surgery, it would be in your best interest to reach your ideal weight prior to proceeding with surgery. Significant weight loss may result in changes in the body. During your examination, communicate all your concerns with your surgeon to determine the best and safest options for your specific case. A tummy tuck... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+2

Weight and BMI to get a Tummy Tuck

Lovemylife87- Thanks for your question! If your height and weight are accurate, then you should consider a tummy tuck only when your BMI is around 30 or so. BMI, or body-mass index, is a very rough indicator of a height to weight ratio. This helps guide me to figure out how much excess fat you should lose, or not lose, before being a good candidate for a tummy tuck. You would be a better candidate for a tummy tuck if you had more loose skin... more
Roy Kim, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Candidate for a tummy tuck

From your photos, you are certainly a candidate for a tummy tuck. However, the results will be improved when you are closer to the weight you wish to obtain. It also appears that you have significant muscle spread in addition to loose skin which will be fixed at the same time. You should expect a significant improvement. Good Luck!
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

+1

You do not have to be at ideal weight to have a tummy tuck

In an ideal world, all of our patients would be at ideal weight. However, that is not the case. Many of my tummy tuck patients are over their ideal weight. After surgery, they are often much more motivated because they like how they look and receive positive feedback when they look in the mirror. Is there a weight that is too much? Yes. My criterion is that I need to be able to repair the muscles together in the midline. If someone is too heavy, that... more
Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

www.swansoncenter.com

+1

Tummy tuck

I always want patients to maximize their weight loss and encourage them to do so, trying to get their BMI less than 30. Being heavier can be associated with higher complications. Based on your pictures, I think you would benefit from a tummy tuck with some liposuction .
Brian Joseph, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Weight loss before abdominoplasty suregry

I highly encourage you to get to the best weight that you can.. You are a little heavier than you should be to experience the best results from this type of surgery. It would also be in your best interest to thin down slightly because the internal fat( visceral) that we all have to some degree will maintain a more healthy situation for you for the future Good luck to you. Frank Rieger M.D. Tampa
Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Weight loss for tummy tuck

Thank you for your question. Yes, you can have a tummy tuck. It would be important for you to get to the weight that you want to be prior to the surgery. This gives you the best chance for a good result. You may want to consider the possibility of liposuction to the flanks as well. Discuss this with your surgeon. Also, once you do have the surgery, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as the surgery does not prevent future weight gain. Best of Luck. more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

Getting near your ideal body weight is important and there are fewer complications for patients with a body mass index less than 30
Michael Hueneke, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Loose more weight first and then do a tummy tuck

Thanks for the photos, it really helps answer your question. I think you have a greast deal of muscle laxity and a tummy tuck would address that while a panniculectomy would not. In order to get a good muscle repair though, you need to loose some more core weight. I think you would be very dissapointed with a skin only procedure. Good luck.
Vishnu Rumalla, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck or panniculectomy , which procedure is best

Panniculectomy only removes the skin and fat below the umbilicus. Most women after childbirth need their muscles tightened and often benefit from some liposculpting as well. you should be at your best stable weight
Jed H. Horowitz, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck - Is a Tummy Tuck Realistic for Me at This Time..

It depends on how likely you are to be able to lose more weight and to keep it off. I generally recommend that this procedure be done when the patient is at or near the lowest body weight that she (or he) can reasonably maintain. It really doesn't make sense if you're still going to go up and down with your weight (not that that's always something you can control easily). It still counts as real surgery and it's only common sense to get to a low but stable... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck FOR SURE!

If you are done with having children a tummy tuck will give you the best outcome. The tummy tuck will reshape the abdomen and tighten the underlying muscles. I would also have liposuction of the waist to enhance your waistline. see video
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Abdominoplasty

The lower you get your weight, the better your result will be and the lower the complication rate will be.I tell everybody the same thing and probably only 5-10% actually try to get themselves in better shape before the surgery. I am sure you will see some nice changes either way. good luck
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon
+1

Weight Loss + Tummy Tuck

Based on your photographs, you would be a good candidate for abdominoplasty following weight loss. Mark Codner, MD FACS
Mark A. Codner, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Candidate for Tummy Tuck

I hate to bust your bubble, but your “Ideal” weight is less than 155, not 180-185. The 180-185 weight puts you at a BMI of 29-30 which barely gets you out of the “Obese” category and into the “Overweight” category. If you really want to, you can lose to near your ideal. I would highly recommend that you do so, as the results will be much better and the surgery safer. If you cannot, then losing as much as you can and then doing the surgery is preferable... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck and Weight Loss

Not every woman can reach her ideal weight. It is not realistic and not necessary before a tummy tuck as you have realistic expectations. Tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and although you will lose inches and have improved contours, the result will not be the same as it would if you were 50 lbs. lighter. However, you do need to know that if you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30, your risk of having a complication is higher. There are many websites that will help you with... more
Joseph Fata, M.D.

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tucks can make your clothes fit better.

Tummy tucks or liposuction do not replace healthy living and weight loss. However, excess skin and localized fat deposits will be improved with a tummy tuck, making your clothes fit better. My choice for best technique is the High Lateral Tension Abdomenoplasty. Good Luck!
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Weight loss before tummy tuck

The closer to your ideal body weight you are the better the results with abdominoplasty. Also lower are the complications. I would suggest you loose the weight first. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Time for a TT?

Based on the photos you appear to have laxity of your abdominal wall, stretch marks, excess skin and fat. yes you are ready. feel free to get to your ideal weight first. either way you are a good candidate.
Rafael C. Cabrera, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Of course

You are a very good candidate of a TT. You have excess skin hanging over your pubic area. You have fullness of your abdomen from fat to some degree, but more importantly, from laxity of your abdominal muscles secondary to your pregnancies. I highly recommend it for you. i would also recommend that you have liposuction of your hips and waist to give you much better contouring. To give you the ultimate result, I recommend coming back 6 months after your... more
E. Anthony Musarra II, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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