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

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?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by sunshyne2011 in Palm Beach Gardens

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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

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

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

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

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

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

Tummy Tuck and Breast lift after weight loss

Congratulations on your weight loss. There is no fixed amount of time before a patient can proceed with a tummy tuck and breast lift. It will be based on the personal preferences and schedules of the surgeon and patient. Arm lift, tummy tuck, and breast lift seem to be an extensive amount of surgery. However, in person consultation and exam with 3 - 4 experienced and expert plastic surgeons will be necessary to explore your options. see video

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

27 reviews

Beverly Hills 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

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

3 reviews

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