How long should you wait before having a mommy makeover after a gastric sleeve procedure?

Going into gastric surgery, you will probably have a goal weight that has been chosen. Even if this goal weight is not attained, you may be ready for a mommy makeover at a higher weight. The most important factor is that you are stable and that this is acceptable with your gastric surgery team and yourself. It often takes more than six months to reach this acceptable and steady weight. Probably think more in terms of 9 to 12 months.

After you have achieved a healthy weight, most patients can undertake a mommy makeover if the weight is stable for 6 months.

This depends on how much weight you are trying to lose, your starting weight, and starting BMI.  A good rule of thumb is to wait approximately 6 months after you have lost your weight, or 6 months after your weight loss becomes stable.  This allows your body to react to your weight loss, and makes planning your surgery easier. Good luck with your weight loss.

Hi and thanks for asking this question. I like my patients to wait one full year post GS surgery. Doing so gives ample time to acheive the weight loss goal. It is very important to be within 10lbs of your goal weight prior to cosmetic surgery. Example - If you do the surgery too soon and happen to lose an additional 20-30lbs you will most likely end up with loose skin in your abdomen area making it look like you didn't have anything done. Have patience and give your surgeon the best body to work with - you will then have the best results! Good luck1

Thank you for your question. I would say you may need to wait around 9 to 12 months after the gastric sleeve surgery. It will take around 6 months after the gastric sleeve procedure for your body to reach or get as close as possible to the goal weight you are aiming for. After this time you will need to keep that weight stable for another 5 or 6 months before the mommy makeover. You definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

Most surgeons agree that patients have best and most reliable outcomes when they wait until their weight has stabilized for about 6 months or so after massive weight loss. If you are considering a gastric sleeve procedure, you should plan to give yourself plenty of time to lose your excess weight. You should allow your body to adapt to your new weight and maintain that weight before scheduling your skin removal surgery. 

It's hard to give definite answer to this question. Most plastic surgeons would like to see stable weight for  6 months prior to performing surgery on massive weight loss patients. And the closest you are to your goal weight, the surgical results are better and there is less risk of complications. I would get a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon a few months after the bypass surgery.Timing of your surgery depends on your initial weight and your goal weight and how fast you lose weight after gastric bypass among others. Best of luck!
Pej Aflaki, M.D.
Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

No, an artificial time is NOT recommended, as your weight should reach its new safe minimum for least risk with elective surgery, and for highest long-term improvement of the cosmetic surgery after weight has stabilized.For instance, you may lose 150lbs., leading to perhaps benefiting more from a lower body lift rather than a tummy tuck. Or perhaps less weight loss might require only an extended tummy tuck. Can't predict, nor should we try to.Most morbidly obese individuals lose 75-100 lbs. or more, and to try to schedule a timetable BEFORE even undergoing the weight loss surgery is foolish and really impossible. I know scheduling this and having a timetable might be considered an incentive or necessary for a multitude of other reasons (likely really good ones), but equally good reasons exist to have the weight loss surgery first, lose the weight safely and steadily, reach your new steady state, and THEN obtain several consultations to see what recommendations are given, and which ones seem best for you. Then schedule and plan! Best wishes on your exciting journey! Dr. Tholen

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  I recommend that after you achieve your weight loss goals, you maintain a stable weight for six months prior to considering body contouring surgery.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Babigirl520.   Good idea to formulate an intelligent plan for your transformation.  First, consult with a board certified general surgeon who performs gastric sleeve to be sure you are a candidate.  Diet and exercise is always the best first option.  Upon completion of gastric sleeve surgery, you must allow time for maximal weight loss, and then another 3-6 months at your new "plateau" weight.  At than time you will be ready for Mommy Makeover Surgery.  Sounds like a long journey, but considering goals, well worth it. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!