How Young is Too Young for a Tummy Tuck? What About Wanting to Have Children in the Future? (photo)

Thanks for the question. There's no age limit or ideal age for Tummy Tuck. However, patients must be over 18 years of age.

Thank you for sending your question. Congratulations on your weight loss.  You are a greast candidate for a Tummy Tuck.  The tummy tuck result will last a long time unless you have fluctuations in weight or have another child. I encourage you to make an appointment with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss

Thanks for the photos but an exam and full discussion of pros and cons would be required to give you the best advice.Yes, you can definitely have children after a tummy tuck. However, we generally recommend that you get this procedure done after you are finished having your last child, as pregnancy will reverse the results of the procedure.Candidates are usually patients who are healthy but have EXCESS SKIN OR FAT that does not respond to diet and exercise. Patients who have undergone SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT LOSS and have hanging skin. Women with loose skin and stretch marks FOLLOWING PREGNANCY. Anyone with LOSS OF SKIN ELASTICITY. Patients who are unable to tighten the abdominal wall with exercise. If you have loose or sagging abdominal wall skin; often associated with relaxation of the anterior abdominal wall muscles (frequently secondary to multiple pregnancies)

Your scenario is one that I am seeing more frequently in my practice due to formerly heavy patients losing a significant amount of weight.  I usually advise these patients that they can have a tummy tuck, but that I do not tighten the abdominal muscles, only doing skin resection and repositioning.  This removes the extra skin and fat and flattens the abdomen.  Obviously, after childbirth, you may need to repeat or revise the procedure with muscle tightening if needed at that time.

Fantastic job on your weight loss!!  Even if you're planning on having children, you can still get a tummy tuck.  You may need to get your abdominal muscles re-tightened in the future, but in the short term you deserve to "look as good as you feel" and getting the excess skin removed will help show off all of the hard work you've endured!  Good luck!  Dr. Schreiber...Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your questions and for your photograph.  You have done a remarkable job with your weight loss.
 
While most women usually have tummy tuck after childbearing it is becoming increasingly common to see younger people who have done a remarkable job of weight loss through diet and exercise approaching this procedure.  There is no specific right answer about when to do it.  Clearly, it would make sense to do it when you have achieved your weight loss goals.
 
In in the case of a young person such as yourself I consider it a reasonable option given your significant weight loss.  You have to be comfortable with a visible and permanent scar, but given your photographs I think this would be a reasonable trade-off.  With respect to childbearing your body is smarter than your Physician.  When the hormones of pregnancy circulate your abdominal wall will relax once again.  The only caveat here is that eventually after childbearing you may wish to consider a second tummy tuck.  If you do have tummy tuck before childbearing make sure that your OB-GYN knows that you've had a tummy tuck in case you require a C-section.
 
Congratulations again on your significant weight loss.  Good luck if you choose to pursue with tummy tuck.

Congratulations on your weight loss! You should be very proud of this accomplishment. Yes, you will be able to undergo tummy tuck surgery regardless of your young age. When the time is right, seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you would be pleased with. Then, learn about the pros/cons/risks/complications associated with the procedure. You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

First, congratulations on a formidable weight loss!  You would certainly be a candidate for tummy tuck once your weight has stabilized. It is very easy for us to say as plastic surgeons that you should go ahead now while recognizing that you may need further surgery later, after having children.  I really think the decision depends on the importance you place on surgery in terms of your self-esteem and body image as well as your finances.  I really don't want to delude anyone into thinking that they won't need more surgery later and that it will cost real money to do so.  The photo wasn't clear as to whether liposuction would be of benefit.  I suggest that you see a board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate whether this would be viable for you.

Your question is a good one, but it has no definite answer.  There is no minimum age for a tummy tuck, but there are considerations.  You can still have children after a tummy tuck, but may need to have your muscles tightened again after your pregnancy. If you are planning to begin a family within the next few years, it may not make sense financially to have a tummy tuck at this time.  A modified tummy tuck could be a potential where the abdominal muscles are not tightened too much, but will that be enough to help you achieve your surgical goals?  A visit to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon may help you explore your options.  Good luck.

Hello,

Thank you for the question and photo.  Having children after a tummy tuck will undo some of the results of the tummy tuck so this will be something to think about.  However, there are plenty of women who would like to improve the way their abdomen looks before they have children. In these circumstances a tummy tuck is reasonable knowing that you may choose to have a tummy tuck revision in the future.

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta