Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Should I Get a Tummy Tuck if I Never Worked out to Try to Get Rid of It?

I have had weight loss surgery and lost 75lbs recently and I haven't really worked out 100% like I know I should. However, regardless of this, I have always had a big stomach whether I am heavy or thin it has always been big. Now 2 kids and 2 c-sections later, it just hangs and I hate it. I have about 23lbs to lost to get to goal, when shoudl I get a tummy tuck?

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c-section candidate working out

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by cutie0615 in lyndhurst, nj

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Working out or tummy tuck

Will working out make a tummy tuck unnecessary? Well it depends on what the problem is. In a tummy tuck your plastic surgeon will remove excess fat, repair the gap between your rectus abdominal muscles and remove excess skin. If your problem is just weak muscle tone or a little bit of extra fat, then working out may solve your problem. But often previous surgery or childbirth leaves women with loose excess skin or muscles which are wide apart. (This condition is called rectus diastasis).... more

There are 2 components to a tummy tuck

You described excess hanging skin. This will not be resolved by any type of workout and needs to be resected. However, excessive skin is only one aspect of the tummy tuck. The other aspect which people aren't as familiar with is fascia tightening. After 2 pregnancies and c-sections, the fascia has been damaged and working out will not change fascia strength. The most important aspect of the tummy tuck will be the fascia plication and possible reinforcement... more

Exercise or a tummy tuck?

Great question! Give the exercise a try, but it's hard to treat a lot of excess skin with exercise. Good luck!

Tummy Tuck will get rid of the excess skin, and will tighten the muscles

Working out is great for your health and heart, and it may and will help to strengthen your tummy muscles, but tummy tuck addresses the loose and excess skin one has by removing it, and tightening the abdominal wall muscles by bringing them close together. You may have very strong individual abdominal muscles, but if they are pushed apart from each other (due to pregnancy or weight gain/loss), you will still have the bulge and weakness in the middle. The only was to fix is... more

Tummy tuck after weight loss

After losing as much weight as you have, no amount of exercising wil get rid of the excess, loose skin you must have. Additionally, you probably have a separation of the rectus abdominal muscles that run vertically up the middle of your abdomen. No matter how many crunches or sit-ups you do, you will still have protrusion of the abdomen unless this separation is surgically repaired. Removing the excess skin and repair of the muscle separtion can be done at the same time. more

Tummy tuck and working out

When you have lost the weight you want and your weight is stable for six months, then it is okay to have a tummy tuck as long as medically you are a candidate for surgery. Working out is recommended but is not a requirement for the surgery. Good Luck.

Tummy tuck

You will obtain the best results with a tummy tuck when you are close to your ideal weight. Most patients after children have laxity of the abdominal wall and excess skin that can only be improve with a tummy tuck. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

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Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck works even if you are overweight.

Hi. It sounds like you are pretty close. You will have a flat stomach even if you are still somewhat overweight. see video

You need to be seen first

Depends --- your BMI needs to be below 30. If you have excess skin and not too much fat, you may be a candidate. A tummy tuck has nothing to do with exercising.

Tummy Tuck -Should I Get a TT or Work Out to Try to Get Rid of It?

Based on what you say you will need a TT in order to get enough of a result. That being said, it's in your best interest to be at the lowest weight you can reasonably maintain before you undergo a procedure such as this. There are patients who can get the result they want without surgery - but that almost never applies to people who have undergone weight loss surgery (called bariatric surgery). In that case, there is simply too much extra skin and fat for it to contract... more

Tummy tuck after all weight lost

Congrats on your weight loss. I generally recommend that all my body contouring patients undergo the maximum amount of weight loss before undergoing any procedures (Tummy tuck, liposuction, etc...). You have to at least get to a point where you have plateaued and can't lose anymore. Then of course there are patients that can not lose any weight regardless how much exercise or dieting they do. These patients are also occasionally good candidates. more

Yes, however

You will need a tummy tuck, however you need to wait until the right time. After weight loss surgery your weight need to be stable for a minimun of six months (that usually mean at least 1-1 1/2 years after your surgery), exercise is good and you should do as much as possible, but it will not improve the look of your abdomen.

Tummy Tuck Timing?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your significant weight loss. Ideally, you will be able to reach your long term goal weight prior to undergoing the tummy tuck operation. After pregnancies and significant weight loss it is very likely that you will be a good candidate. Patients in your situation often see no significant improvement in the appearance of their abdomen despite rigorous exercise. I would suggest that you consult with well experienced board-certified... more