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Is It Protocol To Wait 3-6 Months After Weightloss to Have Surgery?

asked 9 months ago by sunshyne2011 in Palm Beach Gardens
Latest answer by Siamak Agha, MD, PhD
Question viewed 249 times
Tags: weight loss, protocol, timing

I am a 22 year old with no children and have lost about 70lbs in the past year & am 22lbs away from my goal.I'm planning to have surgery Jan.2012 to have a tummy tuck without MR and a breast lift.I’ve read is it important to wait 3-6 months for my weight stabilize before having surgery,why?I’ve seen the same saggy skin for a good amount of time and do not understand the point of waiting an add'l 3-6 months. Also,is it advisable to combine an armlift with the tummy tuck & breast lift?

15 answers to Is It Protocol To Wait 3-6 Months After Weightloss to Have Surgery?

Weightloss and Having Surgery

First of all I would like to congratulate you on your weight loss. Do make sure your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in body contouring procedures. Performing surgery on patients with a significant amount of excess skin takes a skilled and specialized surgeon. The weight loss procedures are not easy and can definitely leave you with scarring if it is not done correctly. As far as your surgeon’s recommendation for you to wait 3-6 months, that is an... more

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Timing?

Thank you for the question. There is no magic number of months to wait. You will know physically (when you are at your baseline weight) and emotionally when you are ready to proceed with this major operation. This planning would involve making sure you have enough help for your newborn and yourself during the recovery period (approx. 3-4 weeks). I do however have another word of advice for you. Patients who are about to undergo tummy tuck surgery spend a lot of... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

IIt is very important to eliminate as many variables as possible before proceeding with body contour surgery,

And waiting for your body to establish a steady state in terms of weight loss is important for achieving the best possible result. Look at the changes you've seen over the course of your 70 lb weight loss (congratulations on your achievement) and you can understand why it is important to weight for your body to accomodate to the weight change. SUrgery will futrther refine your look, but it should be done after you have reached a steady weight. A reasonable period of... more

Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon

plasticsurgeryweb.com

Timing of surgery and weight loss

I do not feel as strongly that you need to wait 3-6 months after you have lost the majority of your weight in order to forward with surgery. There are several other issues that are important however. First, how did you lose the weight? Was it through a healthy diet and more exercise? Hopefully "yes". If so, your body is fairly well primed to have surgery and you should do very well. This is a lifestyle change and will complement the changes you see from surgery. it's... more

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

At least 6 months

You need to wait at least 6 months from the time your wait has stablized. I also like to make sure your close to your ideal body weight.

Andre Aboolian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss and timing of surgery.

The reason behind waiting for weight stabilization is for nutrional purposes. A tummy tuck with a breast lift is a major operation which will stress your bodies ability to heal. It requires a stable metabolic state with adequate protein stores, vitamins, and preferrably normalized blood levels. Weight loss is usually done via modifications of diet and exercise which can negatively affect these levels. In addition, being at a stable weight will lead to a more predictable surgery and less... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck after weight loss

Whether you need to wait for a period of time after weight loss to have a tummy tuck will depend on your individual situation and your surgeon. There is no standard "protocol" regarding this. The most important thing regarding your weight is that after you have the surgery done, make sure that you do not gain weight. This may seem to be an obvious answer but I've seen it happen in patients more times than I can count regardless of telling patients this both before and after surgery. more

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Timing for surgery after weight loss

I do not believe there is a magic amount of time that should elapse after you have achieved your weight loss goal. As long as you are healthy and your surgeon feels you are a good candidate for the procedure then I see no need to wait. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

How long to wait after weight loss

Since the procedures you are having are body contouring procedures to re-shape the body and breast, it is important to be confident that the weight and lifestyle you have attained are stable. Many patients cannot maintain their goal and revert to old habits and so the surgical results might be short-lived. By waitinf a significant amounbt of time, generally 6 moinths, both you and your surgeon can be more sure of the longevity and predictability of your results. Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D. more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and timing of surgical procedures

You will have a much better result if you are at or near your ideal or desired body weight before proceeding with surgery. Though there is not an exact number, even being within 5 - 10 pounds should be reasonable. As it appears that you are gradually decreasing your weight rather than fluctuating wildly, I don't feel that it is necessary to wait 3 - 6 months after you are at your ideal/chosen weight before having your surgery but this is not a misguided approach either. If you have not... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Reaching a stable weight is important prior to tummy tuck

Reaching and maintaining a reasonable, healthy and achievable weight is important before a tummy tuck. It would be pointless to reach a "goal" weight if shortly thereafter a significant increase in weight is seen that affects the outcome. The longevity of the result after a tummy tuck procedure is directly affected by: Stable weight Complete correction of skin laxity Pregnancy Young women contemplating future pregnancy should consider less... more

Mario Diana, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

Weight Stable for Tummy Tuck

I typically make sure that my patients' weight is reasonably stable for 3-6 months before proceeding with a tummy tuck or body contouring surgery. While patients may not always be at their best possible goal weight, it's important that their bodies aren't undergoing major changes that could affect their end result. It also helps to make sure that the eating habit and lifestyle changes that they made are sustainable, so they get the best possible result shortly after... more

John K. Wakelin III, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

www.columbusplasticsurgery.com

Surgery after weight loss

I usually like to see a stable weight for at least 3-6 months, and this is for the patient's sake - to be more confident that the results will be long-lasting. Any significant fluctuations (up or down) after surgery will compromise your results and it is to your benefit to wait until you are confident that your lifestyle and eating/exercise habits are stable. Making sure that your diet is healthy and full of natural vitamins (lots of fruits, vegetables,... more

Michelle Spring, MD
Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck, weight loss

Every patient I have ever seen for a tummy tuck after major weight loss still has a "little to go to meet my goal". I think you should trust your surgeon to tell you if there is any significant loss still necessary (or possible) in the abdomen. I do like my patients to be stable at their weight for 12 months before undergoing any body contouring surgery.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

Timing and tummy tucks and weight loss

In general it is best to be at or near your goal weight and have a stable weight prior to a tummy tuck. Waiting will assuring there there will be no further fluctuations in weight will assure a longer lasting result and less need for revisions. Combination procedures are often done however combining too many procedure increases the operative time, costs, and often the rate of complications. Discuss which procedures you want with your PS and let him/her help you decide timing and... more