Plastic Surgeons like their patients to be at a BMI below 30 because the risk of pot-operative complications – such as wound separation (dehiscence) and fat necrosis – significantly go down. So, if a patient can get there, that is ideal. Some people, however, are simply not genetically programmed to be able to reach that BMI.
If you are one of those people – you have stalled out on your weight loss and your weight is stable (not yo-yo-ing), you are in good physical condition, you don’t smoke – you may be a candidate for the tummy tuck now.
You simply need to accept the fact that you are at slightly higher risk for complications and if you somehow lose a bunch more weight after surgery, your result may be compromised. (Robert Stroup, Jr., MD, FACS, Cleveland Plastic Surgeon)
Weight loss and tummy tuck
At this point it would likely be a great boost to your progress to go ahead and get a tummy tuck. I will probably make it easier to exercise.
When you do lose more weight, you may or may not need a revision to your tummy tuck but you will probably not need to get the whole thing redone. (J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)
Have tummy tuck when your weight is stable
Based on your photos you appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck, however you would be an even better candidate at a lower weight. You should have the surgery when you are at or close to your goal weight. As you lose more weight, more skin can be removed during the tummy tuck procedure.
Also, the complication rate (infection, wound healing, blood clot formation, etc.) is much lower when your body weight is lower. You could certainly have the surgery now, but I think your overall outcome would be better if you had surgery at a lower body weight. I would consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for a complete exam and review of your goals. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Timing Of Abdominal Panniculectomy and Weight Loss
In an ideal world, you would lose the 30 lbs and then have the procedure. But you have such a large overhanging apron and I imagine that losing any more substantial weight is going to be more difficult than it was up to this point. Given the picture of your pannus, I think you would be best served to go ahead and get it removed now.
You will be able to function so much better and are more likely to lose weight if you desire to do so with it off than with it on. (Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD, Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck now or after more weight loss?
Will likely help you lose more weight, and because of your combination of loose abdominal wall and excess abdominal skin, both of which will be treated by abdominoplasty, you should get a dramatic result!
Your result will not be significantly compromised by further weight loss afterward. (Steve Laverson, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)
First of all, congratulations on losing the weight you’ve been able to do. You have done a great job. I would say absolutely to go ahead and do your abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) now. Most plastic surgeons include some component of liposuction into the procedure at the same time which I would recommend.
I typically do liposuction of the anterior and posterior flanks at the same time as the abdominoplasty. The only thing to be aware of is that you still may have some residual fullness in the upper aspect of the abdomen, because it is “high risk” to do liposuction in this area at the same time as the tummy tuck so most plastic surgeons do not do this.
I treat quite a number of patients with very similar scenarios as you and after the tummy tuck in some cases we do a simple liposuction of the “upper abdomen” usually about 3 months after the tummy tuck to finish contouring the abdomen and perform any further liposuction that may be necessary. (James F. Boynton, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Based on your pictures, you look like you could achieve a nice result with a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty. Since you have hanging / dependent skin, an excision procedure would be necessary to remove the extra skin. Liposuction and other less invasive procedure would not produce a good results for you.
However, at the same time as the abdominoplasty / tummy tuck, you may benefit from liposuction on your flanks.
At a second procedure, you may consider liposuction of your lower back and bra rolls and likely end up with a very nice shape.(David Shafer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck BMI
I don’t base decisions for surgery on BMI. Instead, the crucial question is whether you have reached your desired weight. If so, then you could consider surgery. If not, then research your options and find a plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable while continuing to loss weight. You are definitely a candidate for a tummy tuck. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck now or later
I also do not base my decisions on BMI. For me, if the upper abdomen has thinned out and most of the excess is in the lower abdominal apron, I would consider going ahead now IF you have absolutely plateaued and can’t lose any more weight. If you are able to exercise better after and then lose 20-30 pounds, your result might become lax. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)