Do I need to already be close to my goal weight to get a tummy tuck or can I just do lipo to remove fat and the TT?

Great question!  First off liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, its more body contouring - even with aggressive liposuction you will only loose maybe a couple pounds.  Its like a pillow, takes up a lot of space but hardly weights much.  When we talk about body contouring there is a volume and skin issue to think about - as the volume and weight decreases, results in more excess skin.  Therefore it is imperative that you be within about 5-10 pounds of your goal weight, otherwise you can end up with excess skin after the tummy tuck procedure if you decide to loose more weight.  You could always get another tummy tuck but its better to just get the weight down to where you want and have the surgery only once.However only with an in-person consultation can a proper recommendation be provided and your goals reviewed so the best possible option can be tailored to your needs and desires.  Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai

You will not lose much weight with liposuction and a tummy tuck (perhaps a few pounds) but your contour/shape will be noticeably improved with these procedures. If you don't have a goal weight but feel you are slightly overweight, consult with a few plastic surgeons in person to see if you are a good candidate. It's difficult to advise you any further here without seeing photos or knowing your height and weight. Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

First, it's important to understand that liposuction can contour your tummy and make it somewhat flatter, but it doesn't really result in weight loss, nor does it tighten loose skin or muscles of the tummy. If you have loose tissues, then a tummy tuck is likely best for you. Second, it's generally best to be at least close to your anticipated final weight before surgery; that makes the surgery a little easier and safer, and can provide a better cosmetic result. If you realistically think you'll lose 30 pounds, it would be nice to lose 15 of it before the surgery. If you don't think you'll actually lose more than 15-20 pounds, then it doesn't matter when you do the surgery. Even if you lose 15-20 pounds (or even more) after the surgery, you'll still likely have a tremendous benefit from the surgery with a nice result. Please visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for an exam, in order to receive the best recommendations.

Your goal weight is not necessarily the same as what is considered the "ideal weight" for your height. Some women feel best at a slightly higher weight, and are able to keep stable at that weight. 30 pounds is a significant change though, and it would be best to be closer to your goal weight before any surgery. Lipo is not a weight loss technique, and lipo will not in any way achieve the same results as 30 pound weight loss. What lipo can do, however, is reshape or contour the body. It can remove fat from specific areas to change your proportions or shape, but if you truly need to lose 30 pounds and you get lipo, you still need to modify your diet so that you don't then expand the remaining fat cells you have. Think about it- if you get a bunch of fat cells removed by lipo and still eat the same way, that fat has to go somewhere, so it will end up in places you do have fat cells, making those areas fuller. No matter how aggressive the lipo is, you will have to be disciplined to maintain the results created by the lipo. That being said, you also cannot be as aggressive with lipo that is done at the same time as a tummy tuck, unless the lipo is in another area (not the front of the abdomen), such as the love handles or back, etc. I would recommend getting closer to your goal weight before having any surgery. It will give you the best chance of achieving optimal results.

Unfortunately, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure so your weight won't change much after the procedure.  I recommend losing most of the weight by diet and exercise prior to having your tummy tuck to achieve optimal results.  You won't have to lose 30 lb's but the closest you get to that goal weight, the better.