Are tummy tucks/lipo a good option for “plus-size” women? (Photos)

Thank you for your question and pictures. You are very close to being an ideal candidate for liposuction and tummy tuck. Your BMI is 31 now, but with loosing those 10 lbs you’ll be at 30. With the lower BMI your risks of complications from long surgery go down. You will also be able to achieve better results and flatter tummy. I perform many tummy tucks with all the way around liposuction. I do a few things differently from some other surgeons: I don’t use any drains, I use a long acting pain control injection in your abdomen, and I use a prescription regiment that allows for the best recovery. I would recommend that you consult with several surgeons and find your best pick. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Dr. Olga Bachilo 

At 5’8 and 210 lbs, your BMI is 32, which puts you at the upper limit for surgery.  If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement.  The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.  Liposuction can also be done at the same time or before.  Liposuction can safely remove 10 lbs at a time.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You can certainly have a tummy tuck and lipo done. The ideal would be to lose weight before surgery. More importantly, however, you must be careful not to gain weight after the surgery. It’s quite easy to put weight back on.

Dear Jubilant315073,
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 a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

Thank you for your question and series of photographs.  Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you are a candidate for a full tummy tuck and 360 liposuction.  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 recommend losing some weight in order to drop your BMI to 30 or below which will not only make surgery safer, but also improve results. Hope that this helps

Thank you for sharing your photos! Although it is difficult to say without an in person examination, if you have good skin elasticity, you should be a good candidate for tummy tuck and liposuction. Liposuction works best on patients who are of relatively average weight, but who need help with a problem area, or with shedding the ten pounds they regain between diets. 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.People who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what liposuction alone can offer. 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 belly button is moved up and secured in a new position.  
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can take 3 hours or more and if you’re having the procedure as an outpatient, you’ll be able to go home shortly thereafter. There is a special technique --a pain pump-- that speeds up the recovery and minimizes postoperative discomfort by releasing pain medication in the abdomen during the first few days after surgery. You should ask your doctor if they use this because it can make a big difference in the speed and ease of recovery. My patients generally return to work in two weeks. Note that you may walk and sit a little hunched over for a few days after the operation. Don’t even try to stand up straight during this time—you risk separating the incisions. Also, you should minimize the strenuousness or suddenness of such exertions as coughing, sneezing, and laugh


I suggest making an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon for consultation to discuss your options.

Thanks for sharing your concerns, based on the pics you have submitted you are a great candidate for a tummy tuck (with muscle repair, if needed), full lipo and BBL. Before I suggest to run all the needed tests to secure you are in a good condition to get surgery. 
Dr. G

When considering elective plastic surgery it is best to have a BMI of 30 or under.  Those above this threshold have a higher risk of surgical complications such as infection, poor wound healing, and seroma.  By losing 10-15 pounds you will be at a BMI of 30.  Being as close as you can to your ideal body weight also allows your surgeon the opportunity to maximize your results.  We welcome you to visit us in Houston office for a consultation!

Based on your limited photos, but without an in person physical examination, you appear to eventually be anatomically a candidate for a full tummy tuck and liposuction of selective areas. It would depend on your anatomical findings, motivation, realistic expectations, and whether you are finished having children. An abdominoplasty should be delayed until you are within 10 pounds of your ideal, have a BMI less than 30, and have finished all of your pregnancies. Lesser procedures will not produce a good cosmetic result in a patient with your anatomy. 


If a member of my family underwent a tummy tuck, it would be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) . If you are serious about undergoing these procedures, you should have a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon having those credentials, who will fully explain what is entailed in the procedures, including both the positives and potential problems. You should be complimented on the fact that you are seeking valid information before jumping into any procedure. 

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

A tummy tuck which is also referred to as an abdominoplasty is a procedure to enhance the appearance of the abdomen.  It consists of 3 basic steps:
Skin removal and tighteningSubcutaneous fat removalMuscle tightening
There are many different types of tummy tucks which are customized to each individual.  The placement of the scar is very low on the abdomen, transverse and can include removal of a previous C-Section scar.  
The recovery is very similar to a C-Section or Hysterectomy recovery.  The first week lifting is limited to 15 lbs maximum and the patients usually walk slowly and bend over.  The second week the weight limitation is increased to 30 pounds and more normal walking.  After the second week many patients return to work if it is more sedentary, active work jobs and heavy lifting, pulling or straining are still difficult for another 2 weeks.  Most women need help with small children for the first week.
There has been a breakthrough in the technology of post op pain relief for tummy tucks.  A new medication is now being used that will provide for 3-4 days of post op pain relief, speeding up the recovery process!  It is called Exparel.
Vigorous physical activity and contact sports are limited for 4-6 weeks.  Everyone's recovery is different, and everyone's tummy tuck is different, the recovery time will vary from individual to individual.  Wound healing problems can occur after a tummy tuck, most are small and heal on their own.  However, if there is a large area that opens up, prolonged healing time will occur and there would be the possibly of a revision procedure.
This is a wonderful operation that will make the tummy flat FOREVER, WITHOUT SIT-UPS!!  But, you have to be willing to trade the appearance for the scar, which is long, but well placed, and hidden in all clothing and bathing suits.  Your weight should be stable and finished with child bearing before undergoing this procedure.
Please consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures to assure the best possible result.  Based on the 2 photographs submitted, I would recommend an extended abdominoplasty.
Good Luck!