Tummy tucks after weight loss

I have found that many patients have these ideal goals as far as preoperative weight loss and many can hit a plateau and never get to their goals. These patients get frustrated and “stuck in a rut” and need something to “put them over the top” towards their goal.

Carrying around extra loose skin of the abdomen can also affect one’s ability to properly and efficiently exercise. I have found that by doing the surgery now, even it if is prior to your perfect ideal weight, you will see an “instant improvement” within a few short weeks that will mentally and psychologically motivate you to further hit your final target weight that you had prior to the tummy tuck surgery. (James F. Boynton, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

I know that after your tremendous accomplishment, you must be eager to pursue a tummy tuck to reward yourself-and you do deserve to look your best for the effort.

Photo of tummy tucks after weight loss

It is important to understand what happens to skin after weight loss however. When you lose weight, the skin will contract, or shrink a variable degree-obviously after a large weight loss the skin’s elasticity (or capacity to shrink) will have diminished due to the stretching of the weight gain that came before, but nonetheless some amount of skin contraction may occur over a few months after you reach your target weight. Having your surgery before this time period has passed may mean you are having a larger or different operation than you may need once things have settled a bit.

Also, because significant weight loss obviously affects the metabolism, waiting 3-6 months after your weight has plateaued will give your body to find its balance, if you will.

Tummy tucks after weight loss image

These two reasons are why most experienced body contouring surgeons would recommend waiting this time period before having surgery.

I do think it would be appropriate to begin planning and interviewing board certified plastic surgeons though. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tucks after weight loss tips

  1. Within 15% of your goal weight there will not be a significant difference in your result.
  2. In many cases I have found that patients who wait to lose the last pound may get frustrated and boomerang back to their original wait.
  3. I advise people to lock in a surgery and commit to it as a goal to stimulate losing the last bit of weight.
  4. Post operatively patients feel so much lighter and find easier to exercise that they then may get to their target weight and possibly beyond.

Tummy tucks after weight loss photo

You have likely added years to your life, by reducing the possibilty of diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. For massive weightloss patients like yourself, the ideal would be for you to achieve your target weight, and to be weight stable for 12 months. This is important since you need to have the healing potential to recover from a large operation.

That said, it is reasonable to perform tummy tucks after weight loss, when patients are within 20lbs of their target weight. Bear in mind it is preferable to undergo abdominoplasty at a weight that is practical and realistic for you, rather than a theoretic ideal that may not be sustainable in the long term. (Glynn Bolitho, PhD, MD, FACS, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

My experience is that weight loss patients often mistake the large, overhanging excess skin for fat. They do not understand their weight loss plateau as a result.

Tummy tucks surgery after weight loss

So I advise an early consulation with a plastic surgeon experienced with weight loss patients. This way you can get an idea of how much further you need to go. Being close to your ideal weight is always best for any type of plastic surgery ! (John LoMonaco, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

If you are planning to lose more weight, then the tummy tuck results will more than likely be that much better. I would wait if you plan on reaching your goal weight. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Here is how I approach this:

  • Although I have a goal weight, how long will it take me to achieve it?
  • How realistic is the goal weight I have chosen?

Photo tummy tucks after weight loss

If you will get there in a reasonable amount of time and it is a weight you will maintain, then wait. You wouldn’t buy a new wardrobe and then lose 30 lbs. Your skin is your wardrobe. If you contour the skin to your weight and lose 30lbs you will lose some of the cosmetic benefits.

However, if it is going to take another 6 months and the restrictions which you must maintain to stay at your goal weight are unreasonable, you are not helping yourself. You could have the surgery and remove the excess weight now and improve the quality of your life today.

You should visit your medical, bariatric (if you had weight loss surgery) doctor or a Board Certified Plastic surgeon so they can help you with this decision. (Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS, Corona Del Mar Plastic Surgeon)