Do you lose weight after Tummy Tuck?

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

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

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