How Long Does a Tummy Tuck Last?

A tummy tuck is only as good as what you do to maintain it. Once the surgery is completed, You must exercise, preferably core strengthening to enhance and reinforce the results of the muscle repair. Your weight must be maintained as well. AVoidance of excessive tanning is another key issue. With all these in mind, your tummy tuck can 'last forever."

Thank you for your question. Abdominoplasty will enhance your body contour by making your abdomen firmer and flatter. You may find that you feel more comfortable in your clothing and are more confident about your appearance.

The incisions from the procedure will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible. In some instances, they will eventually be only faint lines. Certain individuals may have incision lines that are more noticeable. Fortunately, the incisions for your abdominoplasty are usually in locations concealed by most bathing suits and undergarments.

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your abdomen should remain firmer and flatter for many years. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually take their toll. If, after a period of years, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your abdomen, you may choose to undergo a second procedure to restore a more youthful body contour. Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman Estates BarringtonOakbrookChicago

A tummy tuck should last forever.  There is some scar tissue that your body places around the surgical sites as well as the work that was done at surgery.  Your body can still change the results with weight fluctuations, pregnancy etc. though and your overall skin tone will change with age which may change how the final appearance looks to you and others.For more information, please go to my website at:WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Like any surgery, skin quality changes, patients weight fluctuates,etc.. These can all contribute  to early loss of results.  But patients can have a nice result that lasts many years.

Tummy tucks can last for 10 to 20 years or more if there is no weight gain and the skin aging is good. But I really do not understand the need for longevity of the tummy tuck. Do you have a more specific question? 

An Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck should remove the excess shin and fat of the abdomen and tighten the muscle in the midline. If the patient does not gain weight or lose a lot of weight in general the improved appearance should be there for years.

There are exceptions :

1- The overweight patient that loses more weight will develop more lose and sometimes sagging skin however this is a good thing.

2- If a patient has lost a lot of weight prior to the tummy tuck the skin elasticity is not normal and the skin may relax and frequently could be improved with an additional skin excision.

3- normal effects of aging may make further skin excision beneficial.

A second procedure is not likely to be as big as the first.  

In general, the results last for many years.   What is most important is maintaining a stable weight.  Even patients that gain some weight still notice that their results are good.

Unless you get pregnant or gain a large amount of weight a Tummy Tuck will not come undone and should last a lifetime.   

Tummy tuck will last a very long time.  It is usually a one-time procedure, if the patient does not have some extraordinary weight change.

If you had an identical twin sister, and you had a tummy tuck and she didn't and you both lived "til 100 you would see the results.