I'm 45, female, 240lbs, 5' 7" inches tall and bottom heavy. How much weight should I lose before having a tummy tuck?

Thanks for your question.  If you are able to lose weight prior to having tummy tuck surgery, your result will likely be better since it will be possible to remove more loose skin.  Surgical risks are also higher for patients who are significantly overweight.  

Lesbella it will be better for your result and better for your health, to lose weight first. One option is to work with a nutritionist and don't forget to exercise as well, they work well together. Check out the link below to an article I wrote about losing weight prior to plastic surgery, it might help! Good luck, go for it!

Thank you for your excellent question.  I tell my patients that in order to have the best long-term results, patients should reach a weight that they feel comfortable at, and can maintain, without large fluctuations.  As weight increases, the body's tissues stretch and relax.  If you were then to lose that weight, you may develop loose skin as it can't shrink down.  If you were more comfortable at 170-180 lbs before, that should be a weight that you again aim for before pursuing elective surgery. You will have better results, at less risk.

Lesbella,Thanks for youir question.  It is not one that has a single answer as you can tell by the other surgeons responses.  your BMI is   37.6 which we both know is high.  Of course, it is best to be at your optimum weight before a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), but trying to get down to 170 pounds might not be possible for you (you are the only one who knows).  I do larger liposuction/tummy tuck surgeries on a routine basis.  Many of my patients use the abdominoplasty as a"jump start" for even more weight loss as your shape changes dramatically in a short amount of time postoperatively.Good luck in any decision you make.Dr. T

Within reasonable limits the reason we discuss weight loss before a tummy tuck is because of two primary reasons.1. The risks and complications of the procedure are higher with higher BMI's2. The results are much better if a patient loses weight before a tummy tuck vs after a tummy tuck. If you lose weight after the skin will get lose again. The results are also better if you lose weight before the tummy tuck vs doing the tummy tuck with no weight loss either before or after.