How much should I weigh for a tummy tuck?

Question

I’ve lost over 100lbs after weight loss surgery and am currently 5’2” and 189lbs. How much would I need to weigh in order to get a tummy tuck?

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Hello Kyracdillard96,
Congratulations on your impressive weight loss! Typically, for procedures that involve large incisions such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), it is ideal to achieve a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30 to minimize your risks for complications, such as wound dehiscence and infection. The higher the BMI, the greater the risks. Based on the information you’ve shared about your height and weight, your current BMI estimate of 34.6 surpasses the range recommended for a safe and successful tummy tuck and recovery. You will need to lose at least 25 lbs. before undergoing an abdominoplasty procedure. Request an in-person consultation with your plastic surgeon to assess your candidacy for abdominoplasty based on your general health status, age, skin laxity, presence of stretch marks, and BMI, among other factors. Best wishes! Dr. De La Cruz.

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. The best advice you can get is from consultation with a plastic surgeon. Your weight and height will determine your
body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is 34.6. Ideally, you would like your BMI to be less than
30-35, however, this decision is individualized based on your overall health
status and what procedure you are having among others. The closer you are to
your ideal body weight, the better the results of the surgery and the less
likelihood of perioperative complications. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

hello
the BMI range is up to 30 and it is important to have a stable weight in order to
 have any surgical process. 
I recommend you maintain your weight in a healthy range and then consider the surgery, you will achieve amazing results.

I suggest to book a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best options for your goals. 
Good luck :)

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello 
congratulations on your weight loss. For optimal results I recommend you loose weight first your bmi should be less than 30 for elective procedures and then do a 
tummy tuck combined with a full body contouring. I would suggest 
liposuction on your  back and flanks.  I recommend you to consult with a
 board certified plastic surgeon and coordinate with him or her which 
procedures will fit your needs.
Regards
Dr. Israel Mañon
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on the weight loss. With the weight you're at now, your BMI is a little over 34. This is right on the cusp between safe and a high risk of wound healing complications. The higher the BMI, the higher the risk. Losing another 20-25 pounds will get you to a BMI of 30 which is where a surgeon would prefer you to be. In addition to concerns of the healing process, it sounds like you are losing weight quickly. I would recommend getting to your goal weight to decrease risk of needing revision due to skin redundancy appearing after the skin is tightened and more weight is lost. Visit a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss what the procedure entails and to discuss goals prior to surgery. Good luck and best wishes!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your successful weight thus far;  I applaud your efforts and patience as you work towards your goals.  I think that it will be in your best interests to be about 10 pounds away from your long-term stable weight prior to seeking consultation.  
 As you likely know, achieving this long-term stable weight, will increase the safety of the operation, will likely improve the outcome of the operation, and will decrease chances that additional surgery will become necessary subsequently.
In my practice, I do not ask specific patients to achieve a specific weight prior to proceeding with tummy tuck surgery. Again, I simply ask patients to achieve a long-term stable weight where he/she feels comfortable and does not expect significant fluctuation postoperatively.    Personally, I do not find the use of specific numbers or BMI values applicable in all cases. In my opinion, nothing replaces in-person evaluation and individualized assessment  and recommendations (based on the priority of SAFETY).
 Occasional patients do benefit from panniculectomy surgery as a “jumpstart” to achieving their final goals. 
 Best wishes as you work towards your goals and for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss.The best long term cosmetic results with the least likelihood of potential complications are achieved in patients who weigh within 10 pounds of their ideal weight and have a BMI less than 30.
 
 Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. If you live outside of the United States, the surgeon shouldideally be a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery(ISAPS). You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. 
 
 Robert Singer, M.D., FACS
 
 La   Jolla, California

Manuel Belen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello,Thank you for sharing the information, it is a pleasure for me to answer your question.It is difficult to evaluate the options without seeing photos,Congratulations for your weight loss, you go in a good direction, you will achieve your goal, depending on the flaccidity produced by weight loss, Definitely the most appropriate is to start (tummy tuck, liposuction and BBL can also be included), you are a candidate perfect, for the procedure, with this you can eliminate all localized fat and flaccidity, you will get the best results and have a defined appearance according to your body. 
It is advisable to consult with a certified plastic surgeon, for a goodevaluation, to provide you with all the information you need to know about the appropriate recommendations, so that you can achieve the desired goals in your body.
I hope this answer will help youMy best wishes for you...

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