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