How much weight I should lose before having a tummy tuck?
I tell all my patients to get as close as possible to their goal weight prior to having a Tummy Tuck.
With that said, many patients opt to simply have the procedure understanding that the end result will not be quite as good.
Intraabdominal fat which is behind the muscles often limits how flap the abdomen can get.
If your primary interest is to lose the overhanging pannus, a simple panniculectomy may be a better solution. (Christian Prada, MD, FACS, Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon)
Your would be better off (better result and safer surgery) if you were closer to your ideal weight. Consider a medically supervised weight loss plan. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Weight loss
The obvious answer is to lose as much weight as possible prior to surgery if for no other reason then to decrease the potential risk of complications. The higher the preoperative BMI the higher the risk (Frederic H. Corbin, MD, Brea Plastic Surgeon)
With this kind of weight, more you could lose the better for surgery and for the result. It’s not easy. As you are getting frustrated you can go for liposuction with abdominoplasty with repair or large ventral hernia that you seem to refer to.
Trying to reach a reasonable BMI like 25 will be next to impossible although we do not know your height but I know many would like to have a readymade solution by surgery then to go into such frustrating weight loss methods. Bariatric surgery is the name for gastric bypass or many more weight loss surgeries available but the difficult part finally is monitory and most unsatisfactory outcome. All patients after such successful surgery have good weight loss with hanging skin and parts of body like breast, tummy butt and thighs that correction will end into endless scars even if you have funds to do them. (Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS, Dubai Plastic Surgeon)
Ideal comfortable weight
Losing weight before tummy tuck procedures helps to maximize the tightening effect of the skin. If patients lose weight after, the skin can loosen up again. It is best to get to a comfortable weight that you can maintain after for optimal results and reduced risk of surgery. (Christopher J. Kovanda, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)
Weight Loss Before Tummy Tuck
Losing weight before the procedure will be very beneficial in your situation because it will diminish your intraabdominal fat. This will make it easier to repair the hernia, and will give you a flatter looking abdomen once the abdominoplasty is done. Yes, both procedures can be performed at the same time. (Donald Griffin, MD, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)
Weight loss before tummy tuck
The simple answer is to lose as much as possible to get close to your ideal body weight prior to dong a tummy tuck. That is easier said than done BUT can be done. I would tell you to truly focus on the weight loss and put the tummy tuck on the back burner for now. Ultimately you need to consume fewer calories than you expend. The best way is to count calories.
There are many web sites that can help you with that including Caloriecount.com, Lifefit.com and others. Weight watchers is also an excellent place to start. Keep at it and start developing new habits of eating. You can still eat whatever you want but you have to account for the calories in. The weight loss will do several things. First it will make the tummy tuck easier for you and your Dr. It will also decrease the complication rate.
It will give you a much better result. It will help in keeping the weight off. If you are not able to lose the weight through non medical means then see a reputable Dr. who deals with weight loss, possibly a surgeon who does gastric bypass or lap banding. (John P. Stratis, MD, Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon)
Its tough to tell from the pictures but I think you mean rectus diastasis not hernia. Rectus diastasis is repaired during a standard tummy tuck. You could undergo the tummy tuck now but if you lose a large amount of weight the tummy tuck may need to be repeated. Make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to have a full evaluation. (Adam Saad, MD, Atlantic City Plastic Surgeon)