5’3, 155: Do I need to lose more weight before my tummy tuck? (photos)

Thank you for your question regarding if you need to lose more weight before your tummy tuck. I always recommend that my patients lose as much weight as they can, then when they plateau out for 3 months, that's the best time for their tummy tuck. By examining your photos, I see you have a small frame underneath your skin. Muscle repair would greatly benefit you and allow your plastic surgeon to instantly take 2-4 inches off your waistline. I've had over twenty patients get muscle repair and then have children within the next 5 years. They all did great, and their babies were fine. I recommend you get the muscle repair. If you were going to have a child within the next year, I wouldn't suggest muscle repair or even a tummy tuck.

Congratulations on your weight loss journey so far. You're doing great. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding if you need to lose more weight before your tummy tuck

Hello and thank you for your question.
It is best to be at a healthy, stable weight prior to having surgery, you appear to be a good candidate. You will have the best possible result this way. As far as having a full tummy tuck with muscle repair, I recommend waiting until you are finished having children. Best wishes!

Hello and thank you for your question.
Based on the photos, you have very good muscle tone and the only way to address the excess skin and to achieve flat abdominal contour, would be through a tummy tuck. You may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck to limit the extent of the incision and limit the scar.
I would recommend to obtain an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss your options and expectations.
I hope this helps.
Best,Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzFellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you are planning future pregnancies then your tummy tuck may be damaged and you may want to wait until you are done having children. You do have hanging skin and a tummy tuck will get rid of this.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You have already a beautiful body shape and that will be a great foundation for a great result.
You have two main issues the saggy skin and also very loose muscle which is causing the protruding appearance.
Even though you haven’t had children yet, you are a perfect candidate for muscle repair and create a very attractive flat abdomen and smaller waistline otherwise you will remain protruding.
I have had multiple patients who had completely normal pregnancies and deliveries after a TT with MR. The muscle is literally a steak and it will expand during pregnancy without an issue.
Your results will ruin during a pregnancy only if you put in a lot of weight. So that is the key! If your pregnancy is all normal To continue doing exercise and watch your diet.
So be encouraged!!!
Dr. Cárdenas

I agree with your surgeons approach. You should not need muscle repair if you haven't had children. You are a good candidate fir surgery and don't need to lose weight

I am guessing you have already lost a significant amount of weight and although, according to most height/weight tables, you are probably a still bit overweight, please realize that your skin and soft tissues have lost some of their elasticity or “bounce back” and therefore timing for an abdominoplasty is indeed ideal at a stable or maximum weight loss. If you heel you have plateaued and do not anticipate further weight loss, an improved abdominal contour can indeed be accomplished both with and without muscle location. Much of the benefit of your tummy tuck before one or more pregnancies may be “undone” by pregnancy, and therefore you may find yourself needing or wanting a second abdominoplasty after all of your pregnancies. Be thoughtful about your journey, and consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can best advise you after evaluating you in person. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Depending on your goals you need not lose additional weight but if you want the tightest/flattest result a MR and additional fat loss would be of benefit.

Dear lexi9900,
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

Thank you for your question. Based on the information you provided, you do not need to lose more weight before proceeding with a tummy tuck. However, if you are trying to lose weight then it is best done before any body contouring procedure to help optimize your results. If you are planning to wait before having more children then you should be able to proceed with a tummy tuck and muscle repair. It is important to discuss future pregnancy plans during your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.