Reach Weight Loss Goal Before Tummy Tuck Surgery?

I have lost 100 pounds so far and am planning on a tummy tuck. I have 30 pounds to go until I reach my goal weight of 135. Can I go ahead and get the tummy tuck or wait till I reach my goal? I'm very happy about the weight loss but I can't stand the loose skin.

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71 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Weight loss prior to tummy tuck

Congratulations on losing so much weight! I know that the excess skin that remains can be difficult to live with. The question of whether or not to lose additional weight is common. I tell patients what is important is to get to a weight they can maintain. I discourage crash diets or other "quick fixes" just to get that weight because after the diet the weight is put back on. The abdominoplasty can often accomplish that look of extra weight loss and when the patient feels... more

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Reach a stable plateau, then have surgery

When patients lose weight as a result of healthy changes in diet and a regular exercise program, that weight loss is real. Fad diets and pills often yield impressive results, but are too often followed by a yo-yo weight fluctuation pattern. Having said that, healthy active patients often reach a weight plateau. This plateau weight may or may not be the "goal weight". Goal weights can be demoralizing if they are not sustainable. We all have a weight we would like to be, but that weight... more

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Evaluate weight loss trends before tummy tuck

I may be going against the grain on this one as most of my colleagues in the thread recommend achieving your weight loss goal (losing an additional 30 lbs) prior to considering elective cosmetic surgery. I used to do the same, as this is what we are taught. Historicaly, I saw patients who wanted to lose weight, say 30 lbs, and I told them to excercise, eat well, get a trainer, join a gym and then see me back in 3-6 months. They would do all the above, see me back in the office and say," Well... more

Tummy Tuck and my goal weight

You should be proud of yourself for losing so much weight! I tell my patients that they should be within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight before they have a tummy tuck, for the simple reason that the more weight that you lose, the tighter that you can pull the muscles towards the center and the more skin that can be removed. If you reward yourself with the surgery when you make that goal, you will feel even better knowing that you are as tight as you will want to be. Remember that... more

Dan Mills, MD

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Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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Two schools of thought regarding preop weight loss

The conventional concept is that you should be as close as possible to your ideal weight prior to undergoing body contouring surgery. This approach results in the optimal aesthetic outcome and avoids the need for touch up surgery if you were to continue to lose significant amounts of weight after the surgery. Having said that, it may be very difficult to lose that last 30 lb, and, in your efforts to do so, would be delaying the rewards of body contouring surgery, maybe for years. Having... more

Weight loss before a tummy tuck

First of all congratulations on your weight loss. There are several factors to consider when contemplating when to have your tummy tuck procedure. First, are you still actively losing weight or have you plateaued for several months? If you are still losing weight, I would try to get as close to your goal as you can (as long as your think it it realistically obtainable) and then do your procedure. If your weight has stabilized, then it's probably okay to proceed. One thing with massive... more

Do the "Tighten-Up" to Find Your Inner Self

In general, patients should be within 5-10 pounds of their ideal "goal" weight before having a tummy-tuck, liposuction, body lift, or other combined procedure, but there are always exceptions. In some cases, patients will experience a much greater capacity for, and desire to, exercise and maintain or improve upon their weight loss efforts if the surgery is done sooner rather than later. These patients are stuck at a plateau of their weight loss efforts, because they see no... more

As long as your weight loss goal is realistic, you are...

As long as your weight loss goal is realistic, you are best to have your surgery when you are closer to the goal weight. Additionally, it helps to be stable at the new weight for 6 months. When you lose additional weight after a tummy tuck, you may diminish the nice tight appearance attained at the time of surgery with your skin becoming loose again. One other thing to consider if you are losing large amounts of weight (massive weight loss >100 lbs), then a tummy tuck alone may not... more

In general, a patient should ideally be within 10-20...

In general, a patient should ideally be within 10-20 pounds of their goal weight and maintain that for a few months before proceeding with surgery. The risk of losing more than 25 or 30 pounds after surgery is that you will develop loose skin again and need a revision done. It is nice to have lost all of the weight but it isn't necessary as long as you are close.

Go ahead and get your tummy tuck

I have found that many patients have these ideal goals as far as preoperative weight loss and many can hit a plateau and never get to their goals. These patients get frustrated and "stuck in a rut" and need something to "put them over the top" towards their goal. Carrying around extra loose skin of the abdomen can also affect one's ability to properly and efficiently exercise. I have found that by doing the surgery now, even it if is prior to your perfect ideal weight... more