Is 5'6 200 Lbs to Heavy for Mommy Makeover?

Question

One PS said I need to lose some weight for good results, and another said I could have good results from surgery now, and that if I lost weight later I would look even better.

Terrence Scamp, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hello there

	There are many advantages to getting your weight down prior to surgery .

	Firstly it's better for your health in the long-term and it reduces most of the risks of surgery .

	Secondly the cosmetic result will obviously look better if your weight is down. Not many of us wouldn't benefit from some weight loss . But in addition the mechanics of the operation work better with you at or close to your ideal weight . With regards to your breasts , weight loss after surgery can result in deterioration in the shape of the breasts or the size may be inappropriate . Some sag can also recur .

	With your tummy , I tell patients that a tummy tuck is like having a suit made . We shape the skin and muscle wall and tighten it to fit you . You wouldn't get a wedding dress made and then drop 30 pounds ! Similarly losing your weight prior to surgery lets your surgeon 'tailor' the operation to the shape you want to be in the long-term , and means that you will get a better result that stays good over time .

	It's like most things in life . You get more out of it when you put more into it ! I did similar surgery on a patient of mine who has a wonderful result . The surgery went well , but it was her weight loss that took it from a great result to a spectacular result .

	All the best

	Terrence Scamp

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Far more important than deciding if MM is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a tummy tuck. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that! 
A woman’s body can be unexpectedly altered nearly from head-to-toe after pregnancy and childbirth. Mommy makeover procedures are varied yet specific, allowing you to restore and rejuvenate your body to a youthful, healthier look, regardless of how you have been affected by pregnancy.
Mommy makeover procedures include:
Breast augmentation: After pregnancy, a woman’s breasts may change dramatically, whether or not she even chooses to breastfeed her child. After the need for breastmilk production passes, breasts will often reduce in size but leave excess loose skin, especially in the upper region. Breast augmentation can restore a woman’s breasts to her ideal shape and size. Breast lift:Removing excess skin around the breasts following a pregnancy can tighten and visibly lift the breast. Depending the amount of “lifting” required, the incisions necessary to complete the procedure may vary but are generally low. Tummy tuck:Most women will experience a noticeable change to their abdominal region after pregnancy, either caused by excess skin and increased body fat, or a weakening of the muscles that causes the stomach to sag. Another common condition is a protruding bellybutton. All of these alterations can be improved and restored through a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty. In some cases, stretch marks can be eliminated entirely, or the bellybutton can be removed through umbilicoplasty. Liposuction: Pregnant or nursing women can experience fat build ups in new locations throughout their bodies, including the stomach, hips, legs, and arms. Liposuction is an easy and effective way to address these extra fat pockets. We can also help you figure out if diet and exercise used in conjunction with liposuction will be to your benefit. Labiaplasty: The birth canal undergoes great stress and pressure when giving birth, sometimes causing tears or damage to the labia and vagina. Labiaplasty and vaginal tightening are two outpatient procedures we can use to restore the elasticity and strength of your labia and vagina. Skin pigment correction: Sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy,” discolored splotches of brown and red often appear on a pregnant woman’s face. Our skin aesthetician from BioSpa, our clinical skin care department, can use laser treatments, chemical peels, gradual bleaching, and other gentle yet effective techniques to correct alterations in your skin pigmentation. Varicose vein removal: Darkened and thickened veins that arise during pregnancy may be distracting, unpleasant, and permanent. Talk to our team about varicose vein removal and reduction procedures, including lasers, injections, and minimal outpatient surgery options. Using a combination of operations and procedures is also highly recommended. Not only will you likely reduce the overall cost of your mommy makeover, but you reduce the amount of anesthetics and the recovery time needed after procedures. Ask our team about how you can combine operations into the least number of visits possible.
#mommymakeover #candidateMM

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.I recommend for my patients to be as close to their "normal" weight as possible before having a #tummytuck or #mommymakeover.  A lower BMI will cause less complications and give better aesthetic results.  That being said, if you are struggling to lose that last bit of weight and your #weightloss has plateaued, it may be a good time to consider surgical intervention.Consult a #boardcertified plastic surgeon in person to determine the best possible procedures for you.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

There’s no question that being close to your ideal body
weight improves the results from Mommy Makeover surgery.It also decreases the potential for
complications with this type of surgical procedure.For these reasons, we prefer that patients be
within 10% of their ideal body weight at the time of surgery.Unfortunately,
reaching an ideal weight is easier said than done.The vast majority of patients are
unsuccessful at losing this additional weight.It’s also important to realize that even when patients are overweight,
they can potentially benefit from Mommy Makeover surgery.We therefore, evaluate every patient on an individual
basis.We
encourage patients to lose weight before surgery and prefer that their weight
be stable for at least three months.We
realize that some patients will have difficulty losing weight.We therefore, encourage patients to be in a
supervised weight loss program.Even
with that help, some patients will be unsuccessful in their effort to lose
weight.Even without weight loss, many
of these patients will still potentially benefit from Mommy Makeover surgery.It’s
important to realize that weight loss following Mommy Makeover surgery can
affect the final result.This could even
result in the need for revisional surgery.For these reasons, it’s important to thoroughly discuss this issue with
your plastic surgeon.

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD · Answer

Body mass index (BMI) is a combination of your weight and body surface area.

	If you have a BMI greater than 30 there is a greater chance that you will have complications after surgery. The BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in Kilograms by your height in meters squared. If you just google BMI calculator you will get plenty of websites where you just plug in your height in inches and weight in pounds and it does the calculations for you.

Rady Rahban, MD, FACS · Answer

Bottom line is you want to be at a STABLE weight when you do any breast or body surgery.  Obviously the less you weigh the more lose skin you will have and the flatter and tighter your tummy tuck will be.  That being said your breasts will deflate and lose volume which may make you need an implant. Generally speaking I like patients near their ideal or comfortable weight.  You NEVER want to do all this work and then lose a substantial amount of weight after....you will ruin your results. 

	Get to a happy place and then do your surgery so its worth it

	Hope that helps. Good Luck

Sarah Mess, MD · Answer

I confess that I have a love/hate relationship with the term "Mommy Makeover." That said, the combination breast lift/aug and tummy tuck can provide excellent results for women looking to recover their figure, regardless of their Mommy status!

Your question is a common one, and there is often no one right answer. Many of us would benefit from losing a few pounds, but the most important thing about a higher BMI is to make sure your health is sound enough to endure anesthesia and recovery. It is not uncommon for patients weighing 200 pounds plus to opt for tummy tucks/ body lifts as well as breast reductions or Mastopexy surgery, and many do extremely well. You need to make sure you have a good understanding of the surgery and the recovery. These combination procedures require longer surgeries and recovery times, and you need to make sure you are prepared for both.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

At 5'6 200 Lbs, losing 20 to 30 lbs may be a good idea. I will say that a lot of this answer depends upon how you distribute fat, whether you have liposuction at the same time as the tummy tuck, and how much fat is removed during liposuction. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs HUNDREDS of mommy makeover procedures each year. Look at the surgeon's website before and after photos to determine who will get you to your goals. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

The answer is : it depends. Both plastic surgeons are correct depending on the situation. I would really need to see photographs in order to give you the best advice, but in general it is better to lose the weight first. Sometimes, however, exercise is difficult until the abdominoplasty is performed.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

You will do best by achieving a long-term stable weight prior to undergoing “mommy makeover” surgery.  Doing so will increase the safety of the procedure and minimize  chances that additional surgery will become necessary, in the event of weight loss in the future.

	 Given that youare considering undergoing a major operation which often involves a significant physical and emotional recovery, a few words of advice may be helpful: 

	1. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons (for yourself)  and that you have realistic expectations.  Be aware that an improvement in the “problem area” may not translate to an overall improvement in your life   situation.  You are bound to be disappointed with results of the procedure if your motivation for doing the surgery is not internally driven. 
	2. Time your surgery carefully; generally, it is not a good idea to have surgery done during or immediately after a stressful period in life (for example divorce or death of a loved one). The additional stress of surgery will undoubtedly be  more challenging to deal with if a patient's emotional reserves our already exhausted. Remember, that an improvement in your physical appearance will not translate to an improvement in your life situation. 
	3. If possible speak to patients who have undergone similar procedures and query them about the toughest times of their recovery period. Any practical hints previous patients can provide may be very helpful. 
	4. Make sure you are aware of potential complications that may arise how to reach your surgeon if necessary.

	5. Make sure you have a strong and patient support system (several people if possible) in place who have time/patience to take care of you. Arrange for professional nursing if any doubt exists regarding the availability and/or stamina  of your caretakers. 
	6. Be patient with the healing process, understanding that it will take several weeks to months to feel “normal” again. It may also take many months/year to see the end results of your surgery. 
	7. Be prepared to distract your mind with things of interest such as books, magazines, and movies. 
	8. Expect less of yourself; do not go back to work, school or chores too early and let others take care of you (for a change). 
	9. Pick your surgeon carefully (a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon) and trust in his/her advice. Keep in close communication with your surgeon and do not hesitate to communicate questions/concerns and the   emotional swings that you may experience. 
	10. Resume all medications that you were using preoperatively when cleared by your plastic surgeon and stop the use of narcotics and sedatives as soon as feasible after surgery. 
	11. Keep in mind the end results as you go through the tougher emotional times after your surgery.
	I hope this helps.

Is 5'6 200 Lbs to Heavy for Mommy Makeover?

Answers (13)