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Overweight and Considering a Tummy Tuck

asked 3 years ago by extremedelight in daytona beach
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 6,689 times
Tags: sagging, belly

I'm 5'3 and about 235 lbs. I'm looking to get rid of my hanging mid-section. I'm wondering if a tummy tuck would take care of the situation or would I have to have the lipo as well.

18 answers to Overweight and Considering a Tummy Tuck

Panniculectomy would help you.

You have two separate problems. You have hanging skin in your stomach, and you are overweight. A panniculectomy is a kind of tummy tuck which is safer because there is no lifting up of flaps. The hanging skin is simply removed. Of course, you will still be overweight afterwards. I don't think liposuction has an important role for you.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

When you do surgery is more important than what you do

The fact that you are 5'3" and 235 lbs. suggest that perhaps you are not in the optimal condition for surgery. That can be determined by your specific surgeon. In general, you want to be in as good a physical condition as possible. That means good diet habits, regular appropriate exercise or activity level, minimal vice habits like drinking and cigarettes, and good general health. Weight is not an absolute determinant of the appropriateness of surgery for you. If you should lose weight but... more

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

The timing of the procedure will determine your results

I agree with the other surgeons that you are not an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck at this point. For me, I think that it would give you a minimal improvement, and certainly less of a result compared to if you lost weight first and then had the procedure. In that situation, the risks, in particular of wound healing complications, would be less. I think that while you could certainly find a surgeon who would perform the procedure for you, you need to carefully consider what your goals are... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Not at this point

One misconception with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) and liposuction is that they will help you lose weight and obtain a flatter stomach. This is absolutely not true and in fact, the best candidates for these procedures are those who are within 10-15% of their IDEAL body weight. Given that you are 5'3" and 235 lbs means you are not there at this point. Like many patients, you probably carry a lot of tissue intra - abdominally, and the only way to reduce this is with weight loss.... more

Vishal Kapoor, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

No, you are not a good Tummy Tuck candidate

You should strongly consider either gastric bypass or a gastric restricting device to lose a large amount of weight before considering a Tummy Tuck. You are definitely NOT a candidate for liposuction alone. Of course, if you can lose a significant amount of weight, at least 75 lbs, through dieting and exercising, that would be best. After that weight is gone, you can re-explore your options of a Tummy Tuck and liposuction.

David E. Berman, MD
Sterling Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck not a great solution for morbid obesity

The real concern here is your health. This is not a cosmetic issue. If the hanging skin is a problem with infections and skin breakdown than a panniculectomy which is not a cosmetic operation is an option. However, you should be worried about your cardiac health, risk of diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc. A panniculectomy may reduce your weight by 10-15 pounds at most and this will do little to improve your situation. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Overweight and COnsidering a Tummy Tuck

Based on height and weight disclosed, I recommend getting on a supervised weight reduction program before you consider surgery for optimal results. Liposuction is not a method used for weight reduction but is an excellent technique for addressing localized problem areas. Once you achieve your ideal weight you can undergo a tummy tuck procedure and be much more satisfied with your results.

Ivan Thomas, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes fat as well as skin.

Your abdominal contour will be enormously improved with a tummy tuck although you need to understand that there will be a lengthy scar as a consequence. Liposuction of the anterior abdomen probably will not need to be done and indeed should not be done concurrent with the tummy tuck. It could damage the skin and cause some skin loss. If it needs suctioning, this should be done sometime later after healing is complete.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck for Overweight Patients

Although you are overweight, you do have lax skin on your abdomen that can be removed with a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck will address the issue of the excess skin and the skin fold (and associated skin problems such as sweating, recurrent infections, foul odour). However you need to understand that if you loose weight in the future, you will once again need a tummy tuck. For that reason many plastic surgeon tend to turn away patients like yourself and recommend weight loss first.... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Not ideal to get a tummy tuck when you are overweight

Ususally someone at your weight someone doesn't have a abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. You may want to consider panniculectomy--getting rid of the hanging tissue in the mid section. This is only if the mid section is large and causing problems due to irritation of skin, sweat accumulation or skin breakdown underneath the area. This would improve the quality of life, but not the overall look. At this weight, I would recommend to loose about 50-60 pounds before doing the... more

Usha Rajagopal, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck options if you are overweight

A tummy tuck procedure is wonderful at reshaping the front of the abdomen and tightening the underlying muscle. Unfortunately, it does have limitations. When a person gains a lot of weight, the fat is deposited both inside the abdomen (under the muscles, around the intestines) as well as underneath the skin. With a tummy tuck or liposuction, we address only the fat underneath the skin, not the fat around the intestines. Also, the distribution of fat is not only on the front of the abdomen.... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss+tummy tuck

A tummy tuck will be a great option for you in the future once you lose your unwanted weight by following a weight loss regime that includes a strict low-fat diet and exercise. Once you have reached your desired weight, then a tummy tuck will help in contouring and tightening the abdomen. I highly advise you to go to a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in body contouring procedures when opting for plastic surgery. Do your research by going on consults, and educating... more

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss after a tummy tuck.

Tummy tucks are an extremely popular and effective way to recontour the abdomen and torso. Patients received their best result when they are at their stable weight. At this time, you would best be served by continuing a rigorous exercise regimen and staying on a healthy low-fat diet. Once you have lost as much weight as is possible and you have maintained this weight for at least 4 to 6 months, make a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Excess fatty tissue and tummy tuck

At 5'3" and 235 lbs I would recommend dieting first to lose more weight before undergoing a full tummy tuck. The complication rate would go down and you would get a better result.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Reaching your goal weight prior to tummy tuck surgery

Based on the photo you provided, I think it would be in your best interest to reach your goal weight before considering a tummy tuck procedure. You will have better results if you are at your ideal weight prior to surgery. This will lower your risks of any complications during and after surgery. Tummy tucks and liposuction involves very invasive surgery which will require a lot of recovery time and a good support system. The most important part of proceeding with surgery is finding a board... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck risks are higher for overweight patient

At your weight, you are at higher risk for surgery. If you will be satisfied with just removal of the overhanging skin and fat then you can do that. If you are looking for a narrow waist, body sculpting, and curves, then you need to lose about 100 lbs.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and Liposuction

I would recommed losing weight before considering a Tummy tuck. After losing the weight a Tummy Tuck will help reduce any excess skin and Liposuction could be done to better contour your hips.

Sharon Theresa McLaughlin MD
Long Island City Plastic Surgeon

Don't go to extremes, Extreme.

Your first concern should be your health. You are presently at a very dangerous body mass index (BMI), which is increasing your likelihood of developing life threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. The BMI will not change after a tummy tuck operation and the risks of surgery are very high in your condition. The fact that your results will not be great with a tummy tuck is really secondary to the risk to your health.