Am I a good candidate for tummy tuck after 80lb weight loss? (photos)

Question

I have lost over 80 lbs and my bmi currently sits around 31.8. I have plateaued for a year now and can’t seem to shift any more. I hate my body more the more I lose! But am worried as my bmi is still high that I won’t be happy with my result. I am still around 20 - 25lbs from target but am losing motivation fast with no more weight budging. I am also looking for a breast lift with implants! Am I a good candidate even with my BMI being over 30? I just want to get my motivation back & love my body

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and series of photographs and congratulations on the impressive weight loss. Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you are fine to pursue a full tummy tuck and perhaps liposuction of your waist and flanks. The tummy tuck will tighten your stomach muscles, helping to achieve a flatter appearance, while removing excess skin and adipose tissue. Liposuction can be used to enhance your tummy tuck results by narrowing your waist and removing isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat. I would favor the full approach because it appears that your skin and muscle laxity is present above and below your belly button. Hope that this helps

Benjamin Baker, BMBS MBA FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Based on your photos alone you look like a good candidate for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) in addition to a procedure to lift your breasts. You may also wish to consider a breast ‘auto-augmentation’ type technique which uses the existing tissue on the lower part of your breasts to augment the breast volume and avoid the need for a breast implant.

Amir Sadr, MD, MSc (Plast), FEBOPRAS · Answer

Dear Nurturing157593Thanks for your photos and your question. Well done for losing that amount of weight ! It is really impressive. Looking at your photographs I think you would have a great result once you have your surgery done!I think the best approach is to get to your target weight first and once you have stable weight then you can have your surgery. If you think you have lost motivation, one realistic approach would be have the breast surgery done first and that will give you a lot of positive feeling and self confidence boost so you would be able to lose further weight. Although further weight loss will affect your breasts, they would not change as much as your abdomen and rest of your body. So this might be a realistic compromise.I hope you find this information helpful.

Omar Tillo, MD, MS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Hi, The best is to have your surgery once you've achieved your final target weight. A BMI more than 30 is associated with a significant increase in risks and complications. In addition, you will not achieve your ideal figure and outcome unless you lose all the excessive visceral fat. I suggest you have your consultations, find your surgeon, then agree a time for surgery (in 6 or 12 months) and set a target to reach your ideal weight by that time. This will give you the incentive to achieve your targets.

Bryan Armijo, MD · Answer

First, congratulations on your weight loss so far! I advise my patients to be within 15 pounds of their goal weight before proceeding with surgery If you were to lose weight post surgery you increase the risk of extra loose skin. I would recommend staging your breast lift and implants to have the best long lasting results. I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation as well.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. you are a good candidate for a full tummy-tuck with BBL. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

​Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you will achieve good results with a full tummy tuck with muscle repair to correct the sagging skin excess and fat tissue, getting a flat and stronger abdomen, liposuction on your abdomen and waist area and Dominican butt lift transferring the fat that we get to your butt molding and improving your gluteal volume and projection.

For safety reasons, to be a good candidate for the procedures you want at the same time, your labs and cardiovascular preoperative evaluation must be optimal.

I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

You will do great with a Tummy Tuck.  Do not worry about losing more weight and certainly not worry about the BMI.  Go to a board certified plastic surgeon ( look for ASPS).  The breast lift and implants I would stage 3-6 months later; this will keep you safe.  Best Wishes!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Nurturing157593,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
First of all, congratulations on your weight loss!
Based on your phots, you appear to be a great candidate for a full tummy tuck surgery which would allow to remove the excess skin below the belly button and to tighten the recuts (abs) muscle in order to achieve a flat abdominal contour. This can be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line. The belly button can be designed to look natural with minimal scarring on the exterior. 
I would recommend to obtain an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss your options and expectations.
I always encourage my patients to be at their optimal weight prior to surgery, but sometimes, they hit a plateau and in those cases, liposuction can help remove the stubborn areas of fat deposits. 
I hope this helps.Best, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

It is wonderful what you have achieved after losing all that weight !!! It will be ideal your BMI reaches 27-28 in order to have thinner skin flaps and less possibility of complications. You have developed severe degree of saggy skin on your abdomen, abdominal wall muscles, lateral abdomen, lovehandles and buttocks. And almost sure mons pubic area. So you are indeed a perfect candidate for a Lower Body Lift which would include: 360’skin resection, mons lift and reduction if necessary, muscle repair, front and outer thigh lifting effect, real buttocks lift, tighten lovehandles, some liposuction to lovehandles and waist and fat grafting to buttocks. Just a Tummy Tuck would be a poor result. Look for a board Certified PS aside being an expert in After Weight loss surgery. Be encouraged!!! Dr. Cárdenas