How to Lose Weight After Tummy Tuck?

Plastic surgery is usally very motivating and patients see the changes afterwards and usually want to keep going with their diet and exercise, but we all lapse and fall into bad habits and sometimes need a bit of help. Diet is really 2/3 of the issue with weight gain. Getting a nutrionist and finding out what you eat, how much, when, etc. is very important. Exercise is also important and getting a trainer is helpful in showing what kind of exercise will burn the calories, etc.
Fixing those issues will drop the 10 lbs right off, especially the diet. I have many patients that "go to the gym" but really don't know what to do at the gym (in terms of which machines, how to target specific muscle groups, etc.) and they lapse into eating burgers and fries all the time and wonder why they are gaining weight.
It is also very important to point one that in a standard routine tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), there is usually not ANYTHING done to the fat in the upper abdomen because of concerns with blood supply that can jeopardize circulation to the skin in the lower abdomen. There are some techniques that are more aggressive involving lipo in the upper abdomen at the same time as the tummy tuck but it is more risky and most of us don't do this. A tummy tuck removes the loose skin from the pubis to the belly button and often there is some liposuction on the flanks and hips, but not much to the upper abdomen for this reason. What results is often a disproportion between the upper and lower abdomen. The lower abdomen is usually flat and straight and the upper abdomen will often be a bit thicker and still have much of the fat it had prior to surgery.
I tell all my tummy tuck patients that at 3 months after the surgery, we often schedule ahead of time a 1 hour completion liposuction procedure that will contour out the rest of the upper abdomen to bring it "back into balance" and complete the procedure. So even with all the exercise and diet in the world, it is very likely you will still have some upper abdominal fullness unless it is addressed with focal lipoplasty by a plastic surgeon.
I hope this helps!

Dear Miss Kitty,

It's understandable to want to maintain the results of your tummy tuck surgery and address any weight gain or concerns about fatty deposits. Here are some recommendations to help you shed those extra pounds and maintain a healthy lifestyle:

Healthy Eating Habits: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive calorie intake. Consider consulting with a nutritionist or dietitian for personalized dietary advice tailored to your needs and goals.

Regular Exercise: Incorporate a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week.

Monitor Portion Sizes: Be mindful of portion sizes and avoid overeating. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, and aim to eat slowly and mindfully.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support overall health and well-being. Limit intake of sugary beverages and alcohol, which can contribute to weight gain.

Consider Weight Loss Medication: If diet and exercise alone are not effective in shedding the extra weight, you may discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of using weight loss medications. Medications like Mounjaro can be prescribed under medical supervision to aid in weight loss when lifestyle changes alone are insufficient.

Address Fatty Deposits: If you have specific areas of concern, such as fatty deposits at the top of your waist, you may explore targeted exercises or consult with a plastic surgeon to discuss potential treatment options, such as liposuction or non-surgical fat reduction procedures.

Remember that sustainable weight loss takes time and requires a combination of healthy eating, regular physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. It's essential to approach weight loss in a gradual and realistic manner to achieve long-term success.

If you have any concerns or questions about your weight loss journey, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or a qualified weight loss specialist for guidance and support.

Wishing you success on your journey to a healthier, happier you.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

Obviously, the best option is to achieve long term control and this may best be done by consulting with a nutrionist. Many of my paitents find that weight watchers or jenny craig are excellent alternatives.
Avoid fad diets, tablets, or pills as these are only short term solutions that are doomed to fail once your stop.

At nine months post op, your body (and muscles) should be fully healed. At this point, you should focus on a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. I'm sure you paid a lot to have that tummy tuck and the last thing you want to do now is ruin things with a large weight gain!

To maintain your slimmer figure after surgery, you should increase your physical activity and follow a healthy diet. A nutritionist and personal trainer would help you here.

If you want to lose weight, you have to decrease your caloric intake. With exercise you might burn 300 to 600 calories an hour. You can counteract that by eating one too many doughnuts! Cut your caloric intake to less than 1500/day (high protein) and add some exercise to feel good. Hard to do, but you should be able to drop about a pound a week at that rate. That means you have to keep going for two and a half months to drop your ten pounds! Then you can return to about 2500 cal per day. A hard regimen, but the only way.

The diet industry is a billion dollar business because people are constantly looking for the next best diet or easiest way to lose weight. First, it's never easy because in most of us will power is significantly lacking. Second, it doesn't take a fancy diet to lose weight. The fact is it's Calories In vs. Calories Out. It's really simple, if you take in less calories then burn in a day you'll lose weight.
Okay I've recently lost 35lbs so I know I sound like a reformed smoker. First you have to determine your daily calorie needs. There are many sites for this. The one below I think is too high. I would do the calculation then take off 300 calories and this is your starting point.
A pound is equal to 3500 calories. So if you take in 500 cal less then you burn each day you'll lose a pound in 7 days. This is the best route. You have to be very diligent in counting calories. The milk in the coffee etc, 10 calories here and there adds up.
Find the exercise you like to do and stick to it. One of the hardest things for me is to work out after a long day. But after I do I always feel better. Finally, don't fret when you're working hard but the weight isn't coming off. In reality it is because you're losing fat weight but gaining muscle weight. And the more exercise you do makes your body more efficient and therefore you need less calories.
Good Luck!!!

Nine months after a tummy tuck you can do any exercise or activity that you desire. Weight loss will need to be a stable and constant effort. Don't try to crash diet or starve. Try to figure out where you can live normally and maintain your weight. in a manner that fits your life style.

Once your weight is stable you can then do some body contouring to get the fatty deposits taken care of.

I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Dr. Peterson

Miss Kitty,
If the answer was simple, there wouldn't be a thousand diets and exercise programs out there.  You need to figure out what fits best into your lifestyle and stick to it.  Try a trainer for an exercise regimen.  Good luck!

In general, you should have established a healthy and stable lifestyle prior to body-contouring procedures like tummy tucks. Having the surgery and then trying to figure out how to maintain it is prone to disappointment. The surgery should be the reward for having achieved a fit and stable body. Of course it is not too late to do so but it will require your commitment to find a program of healthy diet and regular exercise and physical activities. You might have to assess your habits as well such as drinking or smoking or snacking. The formula is easy: diet and exercise. But the right combination might be more challenging. Also, remember that weight is not the goal, it is lifestyle and fitness. DIfferent people with different genetics will have different weights with the same level of fitness. Don't go overboard trying to achieve a certain weight with a program that is unsustainable or unhealthy.