Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure. Looking at your photos, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower abdomen and contour the areas of your belly.
I would highly recommend continued diet and exercise prior to any consideration for body contouring as getting down to your ideal weight prior to the procedure will certainly give you the best results.
Also, a continued healthy and active lifestyle will be needed in order to maintain the benefits that the procedure has given to you. Also, I would recommend performing this procedure after you have completed child bearing, as your appearance may return with each pregnancy.
Getting down to your ideal weight is always recommended both for your safety as well as in order to obtain optimal results. Once you are ready for the procedure, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck with abdominal wall tightening along with some liposuction to the hips/flanks for additional contouring.
You should consult with a plastic surgeon at anytime to go over options and then likely return once you have achieved your ideal weight in order to assist you in deciding which procedure(s) would be right for you. (Lewis Albert Andres, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck now or weight loss?
Its important to understand that neither tummy tuck surgery or liposuction are weight loss procedures. You will achieve the best aesthetic results if you are at your goal weight prior to surgery as this will enable the most effective amount of skin removal and tightening.
Significant weight loss after these procedure may compromise your results and lead you to feel disappointed. It would be worth assessing what your ideal weight is, what was the maximum weight you have been, where you are now and what your goal weight is. Having said that, from the look of the one photo you have supplied, I can’t see any reason why you could not proceed at this stage. (Robert Drielsma, MBBS, FRACS, Sydney Plastic Surgeon)
My advice is to lose as much weight as you can before having your tummy tuck. It will give you a better result with less chances of complications. (Mark Deutsch, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Side view picture would have been very helpfull to answer your question. From the picture, you do not appear to be 200 pounder. Be it as it may, your anatomy looks very typical of what I see in my office every week.
Unless you have a very large amount of fat intra abdominally ( does not look like ), you can have the tummy tuck done at your convenient time.
The good news is, that most likely, after your tummy tuck surgery you will lose significant amount of weight due to the muscles tightening which will reduce your hunger and the quantity of food that you will be able to eat. Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most inportantly, check the before and after pictures to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive. (Shlomo Widder, MD, Washington DC Plastic Surgeon)
Are you comfortable at your current weight? Do you plan to lose any weight in the future? Do you plan to have any more children? If you are 5’5″ and 200 lbs, then your BMI is 33.3. I find that patients with a BMI above 30 tend to have an increase in the percentage of possible complications, across the board.
Typically, this involves wound healing problems or delayed wound healing. If you plan to lose weight, do it first. Also, make sure you are done having children, since a pregnancy after a tummy tuck will stretch the tissues and often change the results permanently. Strictly speaking, your weight would have to be under 180 lbs to have a BMI of 30 or below. Medically speaking, that is your best chance of having great results with a lower risk of complications.
The photo you submitted shows the excess skin you have. A tummy tuck appears to be a good option for you, but be sure to have an evaluation with a board certified plastic surgeon to be sure. (Emily J. Kirby, MD, Fort Worth Plastic Surgeon)
My advice is to be at your lowest stable weight prior to having a tummy tuck. If your weight is stable, your exercise and diet regimen. At 5’5″ and 200 pounds it is possible to do a TT, but I would suggest that you lose weight to get a better result and also to decrease possible complications. Also you should not be wanting any more pregnancies. (George Lefkovits, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Your best long term result, and safest choice, is to get as close as possible to your ideal weight. I generally suggest to my patients that they very seriously consider how much weight they can lose, and then make it happen. You are a young woman and deserve health as well as beauty. Weight loss now will help you achieve both goals. (James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS, Long Island Plastic Surgeon)
You have to acknowledge that weight matters because the higher the BMI the higher risk of complications during the surgery and after surgery. By the other hand being closer to your ideal, means to achieve the most beautiful result.
You are a beautiful candidate for a Tummy Tuck in order to remove the saggy skin on your abdomen and achieve a tight abdomen.
And also a nice and tight muscle repair to achieve a feminine and small waist and flat abdomen. So, be encouraged!! Walking is the best fat-burning exercise. (Laura Carmina Cardenas, MD, Mexico Plastic Surgeon)
What is the best weight to be at for a tummy tuck?
Although we used body weight as one of our guidelines, we have come to know that different body types carry weight differently, so we always want to meet the patient in person for a complete evaluation. A higher weight carries a higher risk of some complications, so it is best to get as close to the ideal weight as possible and be stable.
Having said , we have had many patients who are not at their ideal weight who are very happy with surgery. So go in for an in person evaluation. That will answer your questions best. (Francisco Canales, MD, Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon)