I weigh 196 pounds and I am 5'2" height. I really want to do a tummy tuck. How much should one lose to have procedure?

Hi and thanks for your question.  You're concern is a common one among patients seeking a tummy tuck.  Although there is no specific weight you must have prior to the procedure, you can generally expect the best result if you're BMI is less than 30.  BMI stands for "body mass index" and is a number calculated from your height and weight (you can easily find BMI calculators online).  You're BMI is currently about 36.  To get below a BMI of 30 you would have to get you're weight down to about 160 pounds.  That being said, it is also important to have a stable weight for at least 6-12 months prior to any body contouring procedure, such as a tummy tuck.  This is important from a safety perspective, and also for achieving a stable and reliable cosmetic result.  So, it's really all about expectations and what's reasonable for you.  It's best to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who can put these expectations into perspective for you, and recommend you're best individualized treatment plan.  Good luck!

Thank you for your question. This is a common scenario with patients in my office. Ideally, some weight-loss would be beneficial, however, I understand that this is very difficult for most patients. My patients can expect to lose 15 to 20% of their body weight after a Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty. This is usually sufficient for most patients to feel and look better and continue with the healthy diet and exercise to improve the results.

You need to lose to a safe, stable weight before tummy tuck.  I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Great question! Your current BMI is about 35.8. A good goal is to have a BMI of 30 or less prior to any body contouring surgery such as a tummy tuck. When your BMI is above 30, the risk of complications increases, mainly in wound healing problems after surgery. You should feel comfortable at your goal weight and be confident that you can stay at that weight. It is important to be open about weight loss or intended weight loss with your plastic surgeon. Many crash diets and programs leave you with vitamin deficiencies that can greatly affect your ability to heal after surgery. Best of luck to you!

Your BMI is about 38 -- for a good tummy tuck result your BMI should be below 30 --- which for your height is about 155 pounds. The lower your weight, the better the result. If you could get down to about 140 you would look terrific after the surgery.

You should try to get your weight down and to maintain a stable weight for at least six months.  Your current BMI is quite high, which is a concern. You will also need to be medically cleared by your internist so addressing any medical issues, such as hypertension or diabetes, would be advisable.

Thank you for the question. Generally speaking, it is always best to achieve long-term stable weight prior to proceeding with  body contouring surgery. Doing so, will increase the safety of the operation, will likely improve the outcome of the operation, and will decrease chances that additional surgery will become necessary subsequently. In my practice, I do not ask specific patients to achieve a specific weight prior to proceeding with tummy tuck surgery. I simply ask patients to achieve a long-term stable weight where he/she feels comfortable and does not expect significant fluctuation postoperatively. Best wishes as you work towards your goals.

Your BMI is currently 36.  I recommend for my patients to achieve a BMI of 30 or less (ideally closer to 25) and stable weight for 6 months before abdominoplasty.  This will lower your risk of complications relating both to wound healing and the general anesthetic.  I think it will also lead to a better aesthetic outcome and increase your satisfaction with the surgical results.At your current weight, there is likely a significant amount of fat deep to your abdominal wall muscles (visceral fat), which is not addressed by abdominoplasty.  Fat in this compartment places increased tension on the plication sutures (stitches that tighten the abdominal wall muscles in the midline) and may prevent you from achieving a satisfactory contour following surgery.  Visceral fat also increases your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.  So aside from the tummy tuck, weight loss will also be beneficial for your overall health.  I recommend weight loss of 30 lbs before considering surgery.Best, Stephanie Power MD, FRCSC