Do I have to reach my 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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23 answers to “Do I have to reach my weight loss...”

A: Wait until you reach desired weight loss before having tummy tuck

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

The cosmetic result of a tummy tuck will ALWAYS be better if you loose excess abdomenal fat before surgery. Excess fat beneath the skin prevents the ability of the surgeon to maximally tighten the skin during surgery, and if excess fat is present, it can cause a roll or lump above the tummy tuck incision.

A: With only 30 pounds to go, do I have to reach my weight loss goal before tummy tuck surgery?

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Personally, rather than talking pounds / stones / kilograms - it would be more accurate to consider your BMI. The closer you are to a BMI of 23-25 and remain there - the greater your results will be. Ideally, for you to have the best possible cosmetic result you SHOULD be at your ideal weight (based on... more

A: Tummy Tuck when closer to ideal body weight

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

SEE VIDEO BELOW: I would strongly encourage you to lose all your weight prior to undergoing the tummy tuck, To be frank, it is most likely that you will require an extended tummy tuck or even a full body lift (circufrerential belt lipectomy). A tummy tuck will likely leave you with... more

A: It is always best to reach your goal weight before surgery, if possible

Scott W. Mosser, MD

In every case, it is always best to reach your goal weight first, if at all possible. At the very least, get down to a weight that you know you can maintain easily. This will only make things better for you, as you will reduce the amount of revisions that may be necessary. If you lose weight after everything... more

A: Weight loss before tummy tuck

Jack Gelman, MD

Thanks for the question. When you describe "torn stomach muscles",  what comes to mind to me is a tear in the muscle belly or possibly a muscle strain, generally brought on by excessive strain, either from exercise or some other strenuous force. While a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty will address... more

A: Weight Loss before or after tummy tuck

John Ward, MD

I have a portfolio I have a large selection of photos of clients with lots of rolls of skin and fat and many who have just loose skin. The final result is the same. It is always healthier to lose weight if you are overweight, but this does not tighten the skin.   If you are obese, I suggest waiting until... more

A: Reaching your goal weight before a tummy tuck

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dear Cheryl, You are almost there!  If at all possible, I recommend that my patients reach within 10% of their goal weight before considering body contouring.  It makes sense that if we "tighten up" everything to the optimum allowable conditions, it will become somewhat lax if you loose... more

A: You may be closer than you think

John LoMonaco, MD

My experience is that weight loss patients often mistake the large, overhanging excess skin for fat.  They do not understand their weight loss plateau as a result.  So I advise an early consulation with a plastic surgeon experienced with weight loss patients.  This way you can get an idea of how... more

A: Patience will pay off

Armando Soto, MD

Hi there- I know that after your tremendous accomplishment, you must be eager to pursue a tummy tuck to reward yourself- and you do deserve to look your best for the effort. It is important to understand what happens to skin after weight loss however. When you lose weight, the skin will contract, or shrink a... more

A: See a plastic surgeon now and develop surgical plan specifically designed for you

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Cheryl Lynn: First of all, my sincerest congratulations are extended to you for a job well done! You should be very proud of yourself loosing a hundred pounds. My advice to you is to find a competent, board certified plastic surgeon that is experienced in body contouring surgery in major weight loss patients... more

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Comments

drpancholi
14 posts
26 May 2008

You've lost a 100 pounds so far and have 30 more to go to reach your goal. That's a great accomplishment! Getting the loose skin removed is going to be another big step in your overall change. So, can you do it now or should you wait until you reach your goal? Wait. As you continue to lose weight, you will continue to lose the "filling" that is keeping your skin tone. Your skin has shrunk to fit your new body as you've lost weight, but after losing 100 pounds, your skins' ability to shrink has been maximized. This means that losing more weight likely won't be accompanied with more skin shrinkage and just result in loose skin. As far as your skin is concerned, 30 more pounds is a significant amount considering there is little 'shrinking power' left in your skin. The last thing you want is to go through a surgery now, then lose more weight and be disappointed with loose skin afterwards. You're almost there, hang tough!

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