Can you gain weight in other areas of your body after a tummy tuck?

Question

In general, humans will gain weight as they get older, my concern is gaining more weight and in other parts of my body after having tummy tuck. I know that happens with lipo or lipomatic so I am avoiding those but what about tummy tuck! I'm 36, had two kids, 5.5 &4 years old. Back at my pre baby weight +- 2kg. Regular exercise. But my belly is bigger than ever, I know I get bloated so some days I look like 6 months pregnant and even with suck in my belly I look 3 months pregnant. Any advise?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Gaining a few pounds after a TT will not have a significant impact.  Liposuction removes some cells so there are fewer fat cells in the abdominal area.   The fat will not move, but weight gains will distribute differently. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Based on your description it sounds like you have abdominal wall laxity after pregnancy. This can cause women to have a full round appearance to their tummy, that doesn't improve with exercise. It's important to have breast and body contouring surgery performed when you're at your goal weight, but I wouldn't let concern for gaining weight after the procedures discourage you. Properly performed surgery will should give natural results that are long-lasting. I commonly combined liposuction, tummy tucks, and a conservative amount of fat grafting to the buttocks to reshape them and given a more round in full appearance. Make sure to find interest board-certified plastic surgeon.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The appearance of your belly contour may be from abdominal wall laxity and not just fat.  Both are addressed during a tummy tuck.  You can still gain and lose weight after a tummy tuck or liposuction but you may find you gain or lose it a little differently.  You gain weight when your fat cells grow and lose weight when they shrink.  Fat that is removed surgically is permanent, meaning you have less fat cells that can grow or shrink.  So if you gain weight in the future you may notice it more in other areas since the abdomen will now have less fat cells present.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and you experience subsequent weight gains, its logical that your body will now seek the #2 place for excess calories and in most women, this will be your flanks or thighs.  So when having body contouring procedures, if you want to preserve your outcome, you cannot gain considerable weight as you continue to age.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

Hi, it would be so great to see photos but what you describe is pretty classic for the post mommy body. The muscle are weak and bulge, the skin is lax and allows bulging. Everyone has internal fat called visceral fat that surrounds the organs and that causes bulge. As you lose weight visceral fat decreases and the bulging is way better. I do not know why people have this impression that when you have lips or something like a tummy tuck you magically can gain wait in other ares. It is not sure. It is true that we are born with a certain amount of fat cells, and when you lipo one area you have less fat cells there that are gone forever. But, you can still gain weight back in the same area as the existing fat cells take on fat and swell again. All that talk above about fat is not true. So if I were you I would go see some surgeons and talk about mommy makeover stuff. See what is right for you. Watch my video below on mommy makeover if you want to learn more. Have a wonderful day!

Andre Levesque, MD · Answer

Dear baharehb,Gaining weight after plastic surgery procedures can be a concern for many patients.  With weight gain the fat cells in your body increase their size not the number of fat cells.  When you have liposuction or a tummy tuck a certain number of fat cells are removed from the body.  If you gain weight the fat cells in other areas of the body will increase their size and can lead to it looking like fat went to other areas of the body.The best way to maintain body contouring results is to maintain your weight near your ideal.  I like to think of body contouring as restoing proportions so that if weight is lost or gained the body should still remain proportional.With how you describe your abdomen looking pregnant you likely have rectus diastasis that is so common it can almost be considered normal after pregnancy.  This is not correctable with exercise or diet and requires a tummy tuck to flatten the abdomen.  I’d recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person examination to discuss your concerns.Thank you for your question.Andre Levesque M.D.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi
and welcome to our forum!
Thank
you for your submission. The treatment of choice depends upon your
goals. Are any more children contemplated? A tummy tuck involves removal of excess stretched out skin and repair of the abdominal musculature which has been stretched apart during pregnancy. Future pregnancies will most likely
disrupt the repair...do you wish to lose weight? If you are not within 20
pounds of your desired body weight, significant weight loss after
abdominoplasty will "undo" the surgical result. This is not a weight
loss procedure.
Liposuction
can be performed and can remove excess fatty tissue between your abdominal
muscles and the skin. This is also not a weight
loss operation as only 6-8 pounds of fat can be safely removed.
It is basically designed as a reshaping procedure. This may result in a
degree of loose skin if already lax. Liposuction will NOT address the fatty tissue beneath
your abdominal muscles, surrounding your internal organs. This can only be lessened
with diet and exercise, or with bariatric surgery. In our practice, we
recommend the gastric sleeve procedure for suitable candidates who wish to lose
a significant amount of weight, and are otherwise not able to do so with
conservative measures, such as diet and exercise.
Liposuction and abdominoplasty both remove soft tissue. Your diet and exercise status after surgery will determine if you develop other fatty deposits in the surgical area....and elsewhere.
Speak
with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. 
Best
wishes...

Can you gain weight in other areas of your body after a tummy tuck?

Answers (7)

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