Calculating Ideal Weight Prior to Loose Skin Removal Via Tummy Tuck

Question

I have lost 115 lbs with diet and exercise & am considering a tummy tuck for removal of loose skin. I know I should be within 10 lbs of ideal weight prior to tummy tuck. But how do I calculate that when I don't know how much the loose skin weighs? I am 5'6' and have 141 lbs of lean mass according to a body fat (dunk tank) test. (Lots of muscle as I am a competitive powerlifter.) 20% body fat would be 169 lbs but that's without extra skin.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	Most people who diet and increase their exercise in order to have surgery do not maintain this new diet, level of exercise, and therefore body habitus after surgery... Therefore their long term outcome is NOT as good as it could have been.

	I believe it is much better to have my patient stable (for at least a few months) at their surgical weight, and living a healthy lifestyle that they can comfortably maintain over the long term.

	In other words, find the healthy diet and level of activity that you can maintain over the long term, allow your body to stabilize at whatever weight results from this healthy lifestyle, and then proceed with your body contouring procedure confidently.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

One's #weight, and more specifically body mass index (#BMI), need to be considered when determining if one is a candidate for surgery. Studies have shown that patients with BMI > 30kg/m sq (placing them in the obese category) have a higher complication rate. Therefore, it is important for patients to be as close as possible to their normal body weight prior to surgery for at least six months; especially following massive weight loss and pregnancies. Begin with an in-person, one-on-one consultation to determine if you are an ideal #candidate and which technique is best for you. Most importantly, your procedures should be performed by a #Plastic Surgeon who is board-certified and has a great deal of experience specializing in cosmetic #surgery. You will then greatly improve your chances of getting the result you desire, and, without the need for a revision surgery.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.
  
For health and safety reasons, best to be at a BMI less than 30 or within 10 pounds of your goal weight and stable at that weight for 6 months prior to surgery for optimal results.
  
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.
  
Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.
  
Best of luck!
  
Dr. Schwartz
  
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
#RealSelf100Surgeon
  
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

There really is no ideal body weight for everyone that have your height.  Meaning, what is ideal is what you can maintain over your lifetime.  It is the weight you are comfortable at and not some weight that you can get from plugging in the sex and height of a patient.  Once you are stable at the given weight for minimum 3 months then you are in good shape to have a tummy tuck.

	Good luck.

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

Ideal weight based on insurance scales is 100 lbs for the first 5 feet plus 5 lbs (females) to 7 lbs (males) for each inch above 60 inches height.  The average amount of skin after significant weight loss removed with a tummy tuck in my practice is 3 to 6 lbs.  This doesn't seem like a lot of weight, but when you consider picking up 3 to 6 lbs of bacon at the supermarket, this is a significant amount of tissue. 

	The most I've ever removed is 22 lbs from a morbidly obese patient.  Based on your athletic body composition, your expected skin trimmings will be much less.  While lower body fat will improve your satisfaction with the procedure, the timing of the surgery should be right when you are able to maintain your weight comfortably for at least 6 months prior to the surgery.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

See the link below for an easy way to calculate BMI, which should be less than 30. You are smart to lose the weight first, because abdominoplasty on overweight patients has been shown to have a higher incidence of postoperative complications. In your case, you may have to make some adjustments for lean muscle mass, which you can discuss with your plastic surgeon.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD · Answer

I would guess Tummy Tuck would remove 5 to 10 pounds of your current weight. Not having seen you, that's just a guess. If your lean weight is now 141, 10% body fat or 160 scale weight would probably be reasonable. The leaner you are the tighter can be the tummy tuck.

	You can do the surgery at a higher weight, but the result will be less good. It's worth getting to a stable low weight to get the most out of the surgery.

Marcus L. Peterson, MD · Answer

At your current height and weight you have a BMI of 23.  You have an excellent status for a good result with body contouring surgery.  If you are in good physiological shape and good nutrition status you are an ideal candidate for body contouring surgery.

	Best Wishes.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD · Answer

I don't look too much at ideal weight to determine when a patient is a good candidate for surgery. You have to look at patients as individuals with his own DNA, genetics, habits, and culture. What I look at is lifestyle. You want to be in a healthy, stable lifestyle that optimizes you level of fitness. You might have already attained this without determining your "ideal" weight.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

Check your BMI - it should be between 25 and 30 to be a candidate and your weight should be stable for 6 months. Let the doctor make the decision on if you are a good candidate for the surgery.

Calculating Ideal Weight Prior to Loose Skin Removal Via Tummy Tuck

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