Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,305 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,756 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

What Happens if You Lose Weight Post Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by buster in Texas
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 6,210 times
Tags: weight loss, overweight

If you have a tummy tuck and diet to lose additional weight after, will that skin hang loose? I would like to remove excess skin now but weigh more than I would like and am planning on dropping more weight in the future.

13 answers to What Happens if You Lose Weight Post Tummy Tuck?

Weight loss and tummy tuck

The best time to have a tummy tuck is when you are at a stable weight. If you lose a significant amount of weight after a tummy tuck, you may compromise your result and end up with loose skin. Weight loss should be very gradual to allow time for the skin to retract and minimize the chances of having loose skin. Please be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed physical exam prior to surgery. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

Bottom line: be close to the weight you want to be prior to the tummy tuck

If you have a large amount of weight loss after a tummy tuck, there can be some skin laxity or skin looseness. How much will depend upon the inherent skin elasticity, and the amount of weight loss. This is why it is best to be close to your desired weight prior to a tummy tuck. On the other hand, many patients will lose ten to twenty pounds after a tummy tuck with no problems in terms of skin looseness. Bottom line: be close to the weight you want to be prior to the tummy tuck, and... more

David B. Reath, MD
Knoxville Plastic Surgeon

plasticsurgeryknoxville.com

It depends on your skin elasticity and how much weight you lose

If you lose less than 10-20 lbs after surgery, the skin would generally shrink nicely and not alter your result. If you lost 30-40 lbs after surgery, you might have a recurrence of loose skin. In your case the smart plan would be to get within 15 lbs of your ideal weight and then have the surgery done.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It all depends on the elasticity of your skin

During abdominoplasty, we excise (cut out) all the excess skin to give you a nice flat tummy. However, if you loose weight after surgery, then it is like deflating a balloon. You can let out a little bit of air and the surface remains tight. However, if you let out a lot of air, then the balloon surface is no longer tight. Likewise, if you loose a bit a weight, you will probably be fine, since the natural elasticity of your skin can compensate. However, if you loose an extraordinary... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Effect of weight loss after tummy tuck

Clearly you should lose the weight prior to the tummy tuck. Depending on the extent of weight loss and the degree of skin laxity, you could experience insignificant effects or increased skin laxity requiring surgical intervention. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss Post Tummy Tuck

It is better to loose weight before you have your tummy tuck. Your surgeon can tighten your muscles and trim the extra skin more effectively after you loose the weight. Slight weight loss after a tummy tuck is okay, but excessive weight loss will cause your skin to hang loose.

Ivan Thomas, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss after surgery should no effect the results of an abdominoplasty.

Most patients who have abdomioplasties do lose a bit more weight after their operation. It does not effect the result. I would amend this if massive weight loss is intended (say 30 pounds or more). This might leave some loose skin but even then, it shouldn't be too bad.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Losing weight post tummy tuck

Unless you lose more than 10 pounds, weight will have little effect on your tummy tuck result. If you lose 20 to 30 pounds you might have a small amount of slackness in your skin. However this will depend on your skin eleasticity, which varies from person to person. If your skin elasticity is good, the sagging would be less noticeable. My recommendation is that patients reach a weight that they can maintain before having surgery.

Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Wait to have your tummy tuck until you've reached a stable weight

If you should lose a significant amount of weight after a tummy tuck, it could very well alter the appearance and detract from your final result. It's best to wait until you've reached a stable weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. You will be happier with the long term results and your plastic surgeon will be glad that he or she has another happy patient. Best- Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery MIAMI AESTHETIC SURGERY 305-576-3443

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Losing weight after tummy tuck

Normal weight fluctuation up and down by 10-15 lbs will have no effect on the results of the tummy tuck. Losing 40-50 lbs will affect your results.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Losing weight before tummt tuck

I would recommend you lose weight before the Tummy Tuck. All Tummy Tucks will stretch somewhat with time after surgery. If you lose weight after the surgery the skin will be that more lax and your results will not be as good.

Sharon Theresa McLaughlin MD
Long Island City Plastic Surgeon

It varies by how much weight you loose and the quality/elasticity of the skin

Ideally you would be close to your realistic goal weight prior to your surgery. As you try to loose weight make sure you do it in a healthy way, with a nutritious diet and exercise. Your surgeon will encourage you to get back to your fitness routine as soon as safe after surgery. There is alot of individual variability. Most people would maintain their result after a loss of 10-20 lbs. More than that and you could have some increased skin laxity.

John E. Gross, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Yes it may.

If you have a tummy tuck and then go on to lose more weight, the skin may sag. It all depends upon how much weight you lose and for the most part the quality of the tissues that you started with.