Too big for a tummy tuck? (Photo)

Thank you for your question and posting appropriate pictures. Ideally, diet and exercise should be a part of your plan. I find in my patients there is approximately 15-20% body weight loss after the procedure. In your case, this may be a good range. So as long as you're healthy you may be a candidate after a consultation.

Good question. The best way to approach plastic surgery (abdominoplasty) is to get your body ready by reaching your ideal body weight. You should begin an approach to lose weight by dieting and exercise. At the point where you are ready then consider a full abdominoplasty.

Although
there’s no substitute for good diet and exercise, sometimes there’s only so
much we can do to reverse nature’s cruelties. That’s where science comes in.
No, reshaping your body isn’t as easy as going to the beauty parlor. Surgery is
never 100% risk free and the healing process requires patience and
determination.

It may be safer and a quicker recovery for you to stage the procedures and do
liposuction first to reduce the size of your abdomen before proceeding with a
tummy tuck which has a longer recovery and has more complications, especially in
someone with your weight. Liposuction modifies volume by sucking out fat, and
liposuction candidates need good skin tone. The procedure takes about an hour,
the recovery takes just a couple of days, and there's virtually no scarring. I
use several innovative forms of liposuction, including SmartLipo, in order to
contour and resculpture the area while providing the most beautiful results
with minimal scarring. SmartLipo, used in combination with other forms of
liposuction or alone, is a procedure that uses laser light to liquefy fat and
tighten the surrounding skin. Liposuction as an outpatient procedure under I.V.
sedation can easily reduce the bulge that some people have in their abdomens.
Because liposuction stimulates the skin to tighten, good elasticity provides a
smooth contour after fat is removed.



Once liposuction has been
performed, you may be a better candidate for a tummy tuck. Typical candidates
for a full tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women
and men who've lost a great deal of weight, menopausal women, or older people
with loose skin due to age. In the tummy tuck, the skin from the rib cage down
to the pelvic area is tightened, and the navel is moved up and secured in a new
position. I suggest you make an appointment with a board certified plastic
surgeon who can discuss your surgical options with you.