Would I be a good candidate for mommy makeover or do I need to lose more? I am 5'4, 200lbs for the last 6 months. (Photos)

Question

I struggle greatly to lose weight and have significant loose skin. In the last 18 months I have lost 50lbs. Ideally I would like to lose more but realistically, I am not sure how much more I can lose.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

It is recommended that you get as close to your goal weight as possible to get the best results, a weight that you can maintain. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon and view many before and after pictures. Good luck.

Jimmy S. Firouz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for providing your current height and weight. However, my general rule of thumb is that you should be as close to your goal weight as possible before having surgery so that the results are as good as possible! Even if you are not currently at your goal weight, feel free to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon now so you can create your plan for surgery. He/she will be able to tell you how much weight they recommend you lose before your surgery so you can work towards that goal. Best of luck!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concern and believe more weight loss would be beneficial for lowering your risks. With more than 100 pounds weight loss you may have to consider tummy tuck versus body lift. See my video link for additional tips. Good luck. Dr. Aldo

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures, I would recommend you lose a little more weight to be able to get the best results, always see a board certified PS in person that you are comfortable with who can answer all you questions, best of luck.

Franziska Huettner, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
Congratulations to your achievement so far. Weight loss through diet and exercise is not easy and you are doing a great job. 
Mommy makeover surgery is a broad term and can include surgery to address the tummy, breast, back, buttock, arms, legs, and face depending on the desire of the patient. 
I agree with my colleagues assessment to achieve a more lasting result and to decrease your risk of complications, I recommend you losing more weight (20-25 pounds) before considering extensive surgery e.g. tummy tuck surgery. 
Patients often reach a plateau, a phase where they have a hard time losing more weight, although they haven't achieved their goal weight yet. So you are not alone on this journey. 
One potential option atm might be a panniculectomy. It is the removal of the overhang of skin on your pubic area to help with persistent rashes in your skin fold (should you have them). A panniculectomy can potentially be covered by your insurance company. Having a panniculectomy now does not exclude more body contouring surgery e.g tummy tuck at a later time. It does not address or contour your upper abdomen, it only removed the overhanging skin. This step might help you be more active and to lose more weight achieving your goal weight. 
I recommend you being seen and evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon, who can guide you in this process and develop a surgical plan specifically for you. 
Please keep up the great work.. you are doing an amazing job. 
Best wishes, 
Franziska Huettner

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Congratulation on your weight loss and to obtain the best results you can, you should try to get as close to your idea body weight as possible.  Your present BMI is 34.3 and it is known that patients with BMI's over 30 have increase complication rates.  So it is in your best interest to be as close to idea body weight as possible.  Your end result will also be better as your form after surgery will be better.  Good luck.

Laurie A. Casas, MD, FACS · Answer

You're officially a member of the post pregnancy mommy club that just want their bodies back. No one but you and your medical doctor can say what your best weight is. Typically after having babies we have to work very hard to get back in shape with a comprehensive nutritional and exercise plan. Sounds like you are on your way. I strongly recommend you work with a Plastic Surgeon that can help you decide the best timing and plan for your mommy makeover which typically involves breast and tummy procedures. Every women is unique and your consultation should provide you with options. Timing is also very individual. Its always best to be doing a healthy nutritional and exercise plan that will help you restore and maintain your core muscle tone and strength throughout your life. After you have your routine and you are at a healthy weight, your board certified Plastic Surgeon (ABPS) will review non-surgical and surgical procedures that you can effectively reverse the changes to your breasts and body after pregnancy and lactation. I work closely with my patients to help them decide the best approach to restoring their pre-pregnancy body shape and contour. Good luck!

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your
question. Congratulations on your weight loss.  Based on your photograph, you are a candidate for a tummy tuck
with liposuction.  Your results will be better and safer if you are able to loose some additional weight.  This can be done
through a low incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look
natural and have no scars on the exterior.  
Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your detailed question and corresponding photos. Based on your photos, I would be recommended you lose about 15-20 pounds prior to a mommy makeover. This will help to reduce visceral fat which cannot be removed with a tummy tuck or liposuction. Weight loss prior to surgery will help you to achieve the best results possible! I recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation to discuss your goals and a treatment plan that is right for you. At our practice, we also provide consults via FaceTime or Skype for patients who live outside of NY. For more information, please visit our webpage.

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

If you want a tummy tuck as part of your mommy makeover, then yes you should lose more weight. To get that nice flat toned looking tummy you should within 15lbs of your ideal body weight at the time of surgery. At 5'4" your ideal body weight is 120 - so you want to goal for something like 135lbs. A lot of PS also have a BMI safety cut off for a tummy tuck. Mine is a BMI of 30-32. Have you tried a prescribed diet pill? Some patients have success with that prior to surgery. You can see your PCP and ask about that. You also might want to consider debunking liposuction as a staged procedure with a tummy tuck to follow 3-6 months later in order to get a nice result. It really depends on your doctor - what they are comfortable with as far as BMI safety cut offs and your expectations. If your wish photos is a tiny little waist with tight skin and flat abdomen then you need to keep losing.

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