High BMI - how can I get it down so I can have a tummy tuck?

Hello QueenNika88. Thank you for your question regarding how to effectively lower your BMI to become a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck, especially given your concerns about back pain from hanging abdominal fat.

Lowering your BMI involves a combination of diet, exercise, and possibly medical interventions, especially considering your condition of low thyroid, which can often make weight loss more challenging. Here are some steps you can take:

Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Since you have a thyroid condition, it's essential to manage this effectively as it can significantly impact your metabolism and overall ability to lose weight. Work with your doctor to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are well-controlled.

Nutritional Counseling: Consult a dietitian or a nutritionist who can help you design a meal plan that reduces calories but still provides all the necessary nutrients. Given your busy lifestyle as a mother to three children, having practical and manageable dietary advice is crucial.

Increase Physical Activity: Incorporating regular exercise that combines both cardiovascular and strength training can help reduce fat and build muscle. Since you already have a considerable muscle mass, focusing on exercises that enhance muscle tone and increase metabolic rate can be particularly effective. Activities like walking, cycling, swimming, and resistance training might be beneficial.

Behavioral Changes: Implementing sustainable lifestyle changes can have a significant impact. This includes eating smaller portions, choosing healthier snacks, reducing intake of processed foods and sugars, increasing hydration, and ensuring you get adequate sleep.

Weight Loss Medications: Given your medical background, discussing weight loss medications with your healthcare provider might be another avenue to explore. Some medications can help manage appetite and improve weight loss outcomes. These medications will be important to stop taking prior to your surgery (speak to your chosen plastic surgeon about this).

Prepare for Surgery: As you work on lowering your BMI, also discuss with a plastic surgeon the best timing for a tummy tuck. They can provide guidance on an ideal BMI range for surgery to ensure the best outcomes and lowest risk of complications.

Support System: Engaging family and friends as a support network can also help in your weight loss journey. Joining groups or forums where others share similar goals can provide encouragement and motivation.

By taking a comprehensive approach to weight loss, focusing on diet, exercise, and proper medical management of your thyroid condition, you can work towards lowering your BMI to a level where a tummy tuck becomes a safe and effective option to address your abdominal concerns.

Good luck on your journey to a healthier you. I hope these suggestions help you achieve your goals and eventually lead to a successful tummy tuck procedure.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Thanks so much for your inquire,

Reducing your BMI (Body Mass Index) to prepare for a tummy tuck involves adopting a comprehensive approach to weight loss and healthy living. Focus on a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, like taking the stairs or walking during breaks.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new weight loss or exercise program, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Hello, thank you for your question. There are a few ways you can lower your BMI. One being diet and exercise eating less then 1200 calories a day will help you lose weight to achieve that goal. If eating a healthy diet is hard for you and controlling those calorie intakes, you may want to try a weight loss injection such as Semaglutide. Semaglutide is a medication that assists in weight loss by suppressing appetite to make patients feel fuller for longer. You could expect to lose up to 10% of your body weight in the first 3 months of treatment. I wish you the best of luck!

Dear QueenNika88,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a tummy tuck, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Not all surgeons rely on BMI to determine whether surgery is safe for a patient, particularly if you have a more muscular build.

Thanks for your question! Patients of mine have had success with semaglutides for weight loss. If that is out of your price range or insurance won't cover it, Weight Watchers has been another great tool. Best of luck!

Hello and thank you for your question. Many surgeons do have a BMI cut off to safely perform elective surgery on patients. Our facility offers a weight loss program using semaglutide injections to reach their goal weight prior to surgery. I would recommend researching these types of programs in your area and see if any surgeons offer this. Best of luck to you!

To optimize your BMI and prepare for a tummy tuck, incorporating a holistic approach that includes dietary changes, exercise, medical management of your thyroid condition, and possibly the use of medications like GLP-1 agonists can be effective. GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications that can help reduce appetite and enhance weight loss, making them a useful addition to your weight loss strategy under medical supervision.
Achieving an optimized BMI before a tummy tuck is crucial as it leads to better aesthetic results. A lower BMI typically means less visceral fat, which contributes to a flatter abdomen post-surgery. Furthermore, losing weight before the procedure allows for more effective removal and tightening of excess skin, which enhances the overall outcome of the tummy tuck.
Here’s a revised plan with these considerations:
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss the possibility of using GLP-1 agonists to aid in weight loss, especially if traditional methods have been challenging. Your provider can also help manage your thyroid condition to optimize your metabolism.
Nutritional Planning: Work with a dietitian to create a meal plan that supports weight loss while still being nutritionally balanced, particularly important for thyroid health.
Physical Activity: Enhance your exercise regimen to include both strength training and cardiovascular exercises, which help build muscle, increase metabolism, and burn fat.
Pre-Surgical Consultation: Regular check-ins with your plastic surgeon to monitor your progress towards an optimal BMI for surgery.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Implement sustainable lifestyle changes that promote long-term weight management.

To lower your BMI, you need to lose weight. I suggest intermittent fasting. Plan to eat only during the hours of 7am to 3 pm and don't eat over 1200 calories. You will lose weight.

Semaglutide is an effective weight loss medication that along with diet and exercise can help you shed unwanted pounds. We offer a weight management program that combines Semaglutide and B12 injections. We meet with patients to review medical history and weight loss goals to determine if Semaglutide is a good choice for you.