Do you lose weight after Tummy Tuck?

Question

I have been on this site for quite some time and everyone before and after pictures look as if they've slimmed down a pants size or two

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
main benefit of a tummy tuck is in achieving a narrower waist and improved
abdominal contour.  The weight loss is minimal -- the amount of skin and
fat removed is rarely more than a few pounds.  However, from talking to
many patients, the sight of a "new you" is quite a motivating force
to go to the gym and continuing to improve your overall appearance and general
fitness, which will help you lose weight subsequently.  Also, when
I perform an abdominoplasty, I tend to tighten the abdomen significantly which
I have had patients say gives a sense of fullness and early satiety – this can
help patients further lose weight.  
Be sure to seek a
consultation with an aesthetic plastic surgeon who addresses all
your concerns and discusses the surgery details including the risks and
benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  When
I perform an abdominoplasty, the necessary skin and fat is removed, the abdominal
muscles are tightened, a small umbilical incision is made that is not externally
visible, and a short, low waistline incision is designed to be easily hidden by
your underwear or bikini.  Please view
plenty of before-and-after pictures in real women (and not just
computer-generated images) who have a similar abdominal appearance to
yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out,
etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.  And lastly, I
think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good
connection with your plastic surgeon.  If you don’t feel you have a good
connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be
the best surgeon for you.
Good luck.
Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH
Harvard-trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

After a well performed tummy tuck, you may only lose a pound or two in the short-term.  However, at the same time you may experience a dramatic narrowing of your figure.  Tummy tuck is not about the absolute numbers and pounds lost, but rather about reshaping, so try not to focus too much on the pounds.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Summer,    Tummy tuck was not designed as a weight reduction procedure , but rather  for improving your shape and giving you a youthful looking body with improved body posture.    Having said that, most of my patients lose weight after the tummy tuck, due to the performance of a significant abdominal muscles tightening, which reduces the amount of food that they can eat and their  sense of hunger.   Additional reason for my patients' weight loss is a book that I provide them, by the name of 'Sugar busters' , which is NOT a diet book , but rather a life style change. It is a best seller and a very easy read. It explains in very simple language the physiology of how the body make fat and how to prevent weight gain. Quite a few patients of mine lost over 30 pounds within a month after surgery,  by using  the combined approach - tummy tuck  followed by the book recommendation.    Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with flat stomach,tight and youthful skin, nice belly button and low scar.                                        Best of luck,                                                              Dr Widder

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

Hi there,It really depends on how much tissue is removed with the TT and if lipo is included as part of the procedure.  In cases where a lot of skin and fat are removed with the TT and lipo is performed on the hips, flanks and upper abdomen, there may be some weight loss.  But, it's not the weight loss that gets people's attention, it's the change in shape, proportion and the fit of clothing!Thank you.In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. While some weight is lost the weight of the skin and fat removed is not as much as you might think. Tummy tuck with or without liposuction is not so much about weight loss as it is about contour. Patients tend to look more streamlined which IMO makes them look more slender. Because of this it is always best to be at the weight you want to be before a tummy tuck. I have included some tummy tuck common questions below. Ihope these help as well.

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

The Tummy Tuck itself would not make you lose weight. Sometimes the muscle repair will.Liposuction would make you lose volume around waist and lovehandles.In my own experience, the encouragement of seeing yourself without the saggy skin, is what make you lose the weight. I personally do very tight muscle repair safely, in order to create small waist and flat abdomen, so my patients DO lose weight because of it.Be encouraged.Dr. Cardenas

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Tummy tuck, also know as abdominoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and to restore the weakened abdominal wall, giving a firmer and smoother appearance.  We nearly always add liposuction to our tummy tucks to sculpt the body 360 degrees to achieve an ideal feminine figure. Tummy tuck is a very powerful technique in the right hands, and can have dramatic results if done correctly.  You definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

Scott D. Green, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question. I would say that most people should lose weight after a tummy tuck. But I do advise patients not to weight themselves for several weeks after surgery since the weight will not be accurate due to increased swelling and fluid retention. I do think that most people after several months end up reducing their dress size by 2 sizes. Of course this is also those people that continue to watch their diets and exercise as they normally would. If you decide to increase calories and limit you exercise or activity then you can also gain weight with time.

Mel T. Ortega, MD · Answer

summersanders24 Hi There , Thank You for Your Question  Most  patients lose weight after the tummy tuck, due to the abdominal muscles tightening, which reduces the amount of food that they can eat and their  sense of hunger. with a specific diet that should be given by Doctor you can retain the weight desire , The main benefit of a tummy tuck is in achieving a narrower waist and improved abdominal contour and shape , with these results,  the new you should continue to exercise to improve your chances of never looking back at your old self .

Emily J. Kirby, MD · Answer

Great question! I like to think of the weight and the clothing size differently. While the actual weight of tissue removed in abdominoplasty is not significant (usually only 1-5 lbs), most patients feel like their stomach is more restricted after surgery, which makes them eat less. A large study found that this effect continues for up to 10 years (the length of the study) if patients continue some level of physical activity. On the other hand, regardless of how much tissue is removed, the vast majority of patients will change pant sizes after abdominoplasty due to the change in contour of the body. Smoothing out bulges and problem areas can slim the body, leading to a need for smaller sizes. Losing weight is not the only way to change pant sizes.Best of luck to you!

Do you lose weight after Tummy Tuck?

Answers (13)

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