Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Can I Have Tummy Tuck Now or Wait Until I Lower my BMI? (photo)

I've had three pregnancies, all c-sections. I've also lost 70 pounds through diet & exercise. However, I still have a BMI of 36 at 5'5" and 220 pounds, which I know makes me obese still. But I'm sick of my stomach overhang--it's gross, lowers my self esteem, and gets in the way while exercising. (My stomach does go flat when lying down.) If I came to you in my present condition, would you do a tummy tuck on me now or do I absolutely have to wait until I get my BMI below 30? Thanks in advance!

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29 Doctor Answers | Asked by anewmimi in Michigan

Doctor Answers (29)
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Your Self Esteem IS More Important Than You Weight

Taking off your tummy apron now will actually make it easier to exercise. If the right operation is done you should not need to re-do the tummy tuck later after getting to your ideal weight. The way you feel about yourself and how much easier it will be to buy clothes will help you work harder to get off that last chunk of weight. Here are some things I think you need to be aware of though: 1 There will be a long scar. As the apron comes of it will involve skin all... more

The "Right" Weight at Which to have Tummy Tuck Surgery

Hi there- While I understand how many women such as yourself have come to the belief that they need to vigorously exercise and diet in order to have their body contouring surgery (many of it propagated by us surgeons in order to help people understand that this surgery should not be done with weight loss as the goal), I must say that I could not disagree with the concept more... There is no magic number at which you will instantly become a great candidate for surgery, and above which... more

Timing for a tummy tuck

The BMI is used as a guideline to help physicians determine the best candidates for abdominoplasty. There are many other factors that go into the dicision making as well. I certainly think that you are a good candidate for the surgery at this time. I believe you will have a very good result and that it will make a big impact on your self esteem. If you continue to loose weight after surgery, you will just look better.

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Tummy tuck and BMI

Congratulations on your weight loss. Not only have you shown great discipline in your weight loss, you are also clearly researching your procedure based on your question regarding your BMI. Our literature shows a clear increase in the complication rate when an individuals BMI is over 35. A number below 30 is ideal but there is a significant drop in complications below a BMI of 35. This is a more reasonable and obtainable goal in the short term than 30 for you. In review of your photos,... more

Timing of Tummy Tuck

I believe that you are a reasonable candidate to have the procedure at your current weight if that is your choice. It will eliminate the overhanging pannus and improve your appearance and allow you to exercise more once you have healed.

Donald Griffin, MD

10 reviews

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Could have it done now

Congratulations on your weight loss. You have done a great job already. Your photos suggest that you have lost the weight in the right place to consider having a tummy tuck now. There does not appear to be a lot of fat in the upper part of your tummy and it looks like removal of the hanging skin and fat would make a drastic improvement. Certainly, if you have the procedure done and you loose a lot more weight, you could develop further laxity in the skin.... more

Tummy tuck and BMI

Congratulations for your weight loss. Ideally, you should have a BMI under 30. However, this may not be feasible for you. You should be able to get under and sustain a BMI under 35 prior to surgery. see video

Tummy tuck now (BMI 36) vs later (BMI 30)

Your weight loss is very impressive - shedding 70 pounds through diet & exercise is no small feat! Yours is a 'it depends' case, so a clearer understanding of where you are - both emotionally and physically - in respects to your weight loss program, is certainly needed. In general however, my advice in cases such as yours is as follows: Wait - if your goal is to loose a little more weight (in your case, roughly 30-40 pounds) then I would wait until you are... more

Might be OK now

Plastic Surgeons like their patients to be at a BMI below 30 because the risk of pot-operative complications - such as wound separation (dehiscence) and fat necrosis - significantly go down. So, if a patient can get there, that is ideal. Some people, however, are simply not genetically programmed to be able to reach that BMI. If you are one of those people - you have stalled out on your weight loss and your weight is stable (not yo-yo-ing), you are in good physical... more

Tummy tuck or more weight loss

You can make a dramatic change in the appearance of your abdominal tissue with a tummy tuck. If you are actively losing weight, then I would wait until it stabilizes. If your weight has plateaued somewhat, then I would consider you to be a tummy tuck candidate. Do realize that there are some increase complication risks with higher BMI patients, and also there is a risk that if you continue to lose a lot of weight after a tummy tuck, you may still develop some laxity of the... more

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