Optimal Weight for Abdominoplasty
The goal of abdominoplasty is not for weight control, but for shaping and removal of redundant skin usually after massive weight loss and/or having children.
It is not an operation to reduce weight. The goal is to be within 10% of your optimal body weight either after massive weight loss/gastric bypass and/or after having children.
It is a very good procedure for restoring shape and contour of the abdomen. (Rod J. Rohrich, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
It would be ideal to get to your “ideal weight” prior to your tummy tuck. You would have a better cosmetic result. However, not all patients can get to the ideal weight.
My recommendation would be to get down to within 10-15 lbs of your “ideal, target weight,” and be stable at that weight for at least three months. In addition, you want to be healthy and medically optimized for the surgery. (Sugene Kim, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Should you lose weight before a tummy tuck?
If you are overweight and are planning on a tummy tuck, it is best to lose the extra weight first before having surgery. Weight loss after the procedure may result in lose skin.
Weight loss before the surgery reduces surgical risks and allows the surgeon to remove more skin. In your photograph, your weight is primarily localized around your abdomen so preoperative weight loss would enhance your results. (Elizabeth S. Harris, MD, San Antonio Plastic Surgeon)
Losing additional weight before tummy tuck will give you even better results
If you are planning to lose an additional 30 -35 pounds after having successfully already lost nearly 70 pounds, you would be best served to lose the weight first then proceed with the desired tummy tuck.
The results will be significantly better and you will be happier long term. Even getting to within 10 – 15 pounds of this overall goal should be reasonable. Realize also that you will lose at least several pounds just from the skin removal from the tummy tuck. (Steven Turkeltaub, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
Do I need to be at my ideal weight before having a tummy tuck?
In a perfect world, you should be at your ideal weight before having a tummy tuck. You can still obtain an excellent result if you are within 10-15 lbs of your ideal weight.
You have a considerable amount of excess skin and abdominal wall laxity which will be greatly improed with a tummy tuck. (Frank Agullo, MD, El Paso Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck – ideal weight
It is best to be at the desired weight. This way you will get most out of your surgery. But you also have to be realistic regarding your goal. It’s paramount that your weight has been stable for a while before you undergo surgery. this way you will avoid revisional surgery due to continued weight loss. (Bianca Knoll, MD, Frankfurt Plastic Surgeon)
Lose the weight first!
You absolutely want to be at your “happy weight” before surgery. When you lose weight, you lose fat – but your skin doesn’t go away. After losing another 30 lbs, your skin will be even looser and more of your excess skin can be removed with the abdominoplasty.
Also, being closer to your ideal body weight decreases your risks of surgery. I agree with my colleagues, you need to make sure that you do not have a hernia from your previous surgeries that may need to be repaired before your tummy tuck or in conjunction with your tummy tuck. (Holly Casey Wall, MD, FACS, Shreveport Plastic Surgeon)
Goal Weight and Tummy Tuck
Based on your photos, you have a large degree of muscle laxity of your lower abdomen. I recommend doing your best on weight loss, but also realize that the fullness in the lower abdomen is not so much fat as it is muscle laxity.
Take a look at case 4 and Case 11 on my website.they wer enot particularly thin individuals but both ladies had excessive muscle laxity (look at the shadows on either side of the belly button that improve after surgery)
Much of their improvement came from muscle repair. I never do lipo on the lower abdomen at the same time as tummy tuck. (John LoMonaco, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)