Question
Tummy tuck - When do I know I have reached my goal weight?
I have had bariatric surgery and have lost 74lbs, I am down to 136lbs and been at that weight for about 1.5 months. More importantly I am off of my diabetic medications. I am 5'2" and want to have a tummy tuck but because of the extra skin I am not sure where my weight should be. I wast thinking about 125 but I am wondering because I am small in stature should I go lower? Please advise.
Answers (3)
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1
October 4, 2008
You are doing great!
Congratulations on your weight loss! It is wonderful that your diabetes has improved. Based on what you have written, at this point you certainly could consider body contouring surgery. In general, before considering surgical contouring, you want to be at a stable weight (for several months) that is within 10% of your personal goal weight. Your "personal goal weight" is something that is fluid and changing with time. When you first start considering weight loss, you can look at a height chart and pick a goal weight. The BMI scale is good for this:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
However, once you loose a large amount of weight and start a healthy exercise regime, you may find that you plateau. If you keep your weight stable for a number of months, while having a healthy diet and maintainable exercise program, it is then reasonable to reassess your goal weight. The BMI charts are a nice guide and tool, but there is no number set in stone as to when you should consider body contouring.
That being said, your BMI is 25, you sound healthy, and you are within 10% of your low goal - it is a good time to start consulting with a surgeon!
2
September 24, 2008
Look at lifestyle, not weight
Fitness and weight and fat content are not strictly related to each other. Studies have shown that fitness is more important than weight or body fat. This is even more true for body conrouting procedures. The most important thing is to have a healthy, stable lifestyle. You should have a reasonable, enjoyable and sustainable diet and exercise or activity program. Each individual needs to be assessed within the context of his or her own situation. You should be stable for at least 6 months before determining if you are a candidate for any body-contouring procedure.
At this point, you should consult carefully and thoroughly with a plastic surgeon to see the anatomical make-up and constraints you have, and also what result you will be happy with. Your surgery can then be tailored to your individual anatomy and desires. Not all patients however, even having achieved a healthy and stable lifestyle, will be candidates for surgery. Some problems do not have reasonable or acceptable surgical solutions.Any surgical plan should be customized to your particular situation.
3
August 17, 2008
Congratulations on your weight loss!
That's a great accomplishment!
When I evaluate post-weight-loss surgery patients for body contouring, it's important to me that their weight has been stable for a few months. If you're still losing a few pounds each month, you're not yet ready for contouring surgery. On average, most people plateau in their weight loss around 18 months after bariatric surgery. Of course, since that's an average, there are people who plateau sooner than that.
Some of your remaining weight may actually be from the extra skin you have. If you have a tummy tuck, it will remove weight associated with that extra skin, and you may find that you're at the weight you thought you should be.
You can go ahead and have a few consultations to determine which surgeon you ultimately want to do your contouring. They should tell you whether you're ready now or whether there are reasons you should wait.
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